Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne

Justice Hypocrisy Freedom Moral Choices Man v. Nature Legality v. Morality Individual v. Society

Puritanism Theocracy v. Separation of Church and

State Witchcraft

1208-1682 Europe England

Since 1990 Africa India Saudi Arabia

Romanticism Irony Foreshadowing Personification Symbolism

Symbolism Flowers – rose, wild rose, wild

flowers Platform/pillory – frames the story –

beginning and ending Role of color – including light and

shadow Gold chain Hand over heart Significance of names

Dynamic/static characters Trees/forest as a character – use of light

and shadow Significant actions and insight to

character Interactions with other characters Motivation for their behavior How the characters change

Born in Salem in 1804 Related to Judge Hathorne

from The Crucible Was the most widely read

19th Century American author.

Known for development of character – secret motivations, guilt, hope, fears, human heart

In 1848, President Taylor eliminated his job as surveyor at The Custom House. This is when he wrote the book.

The Custom House includes background of the Whig Party/political climate 1847-1849.

Within this section the inspiration to write the Scarlet Letter is revealed.

Book published in 1850

Hawthorne and Hester Prynne…a connection?

What does the “A” represent? Does it change meaning as the novel progresses?

Structure of novel Layered symbols Scaffold scene 1-3, 12, 23

= all characters present Narrator

Gained strength during European industrialization

Revolt against Age of Enlightenment and scientific rationalization of nature

Emphasized intuition, imagination, feeling

In literature = emphasis on women and children, heroic isolation of the artist, a respect for nature and focus on supernatural and human psychology

Accepted the interpretations of John Calvin (1509-64) on the nature of man, free will and predestination, and other basic concepts.

Split into three major denominations after 1660–the Presbyterian, Congregational, and Baptist sects.

http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/novel_18c/defoe/puritanism.html

Critical name given to those who led reformations of the Church of England, thought to be too much like the Catholic Church

Providence Free will and predestination Other key concepts

Covenants – God’s promises Covenant of grace – God—given faith Covenant of works – reward for perfect obedience (lost)

Glorification – soul united with God Justification – conversion Natural depravity – sinfulness of man Regeneration vs. Reprobation – predestined (good/evil) Sanctification – leading the life of a saint in gratitude Unregenerate – alienated from God Vocation – using talents to fulfill God’s call

http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/novel_18c/defoe/puritanism.html