Nathaniel Hawthorne

Nathaniel HawthorneNathaniel Hawthorne

The Scarlet LetterThe Scarlet Letter

Puritanism/Puritanism/Scarlet LetterScarlet Letter Timeline Timeline

1620-16281620-1628

16381638

16421642

16451645

16491649

16551655

16921692

18501850

In the novel:In the novel:

-Ch. 1-4 public scaffold -Ch. 1-4 public scaffold scene Pearl=baby in scene Pearl=baby in mother’s armsmother’s arms

-Scene at Governor -Scene at Governor Bellingham’s Bellingham’s Pearl=3 years old Pearl=3 years old

-Novel’s climax at scaffold -Novel’s climax at scaffold Pearl=7 years oldPearl=7 years old

-Last Chapter of novel (sort -Last Chapter of novel (sort of)of)

In History: -Pilgrims/Puritans come to America-Harvard founded-religious higher education

-Christmas Celebration outlawed by Puritans-Salem Witch Trials: dissent, love triangles, landlust=breakdown of Puritan theocracy ; w/Judge John Hathorne

Hawthorne publishes Scarlet Letter (200 years later, during Romantic Era, so written in romantic style, but with Puritan influences and themes)

Hawthorne Bio InfoHawthorne Bio Info

1804-Childhood1804-Childhood == College 1821-1825College 1821-1825 == Isolation 1825-1837Isolation 1825-1837 == 18371837 == 18391839 == 18421842 == 1846-18491846-1849 == 18501850 == 18511851 == 18521852 == 1853-18601853-1860 == 18601860 == 18631863 == 18641864 ==

Salem: born, father dies, family poor, single mom, adds wSalem: born, father dies, family poor, single mom, adds w

Bowdoin, Maine w/F. Pierce, goofed off, mediocre studentBowdoin, Maine w/F. Pierce, goofed off, mediocre student

““dismal chamber” to learn how to write welldismal chamber” to learn how to write well

Twice Told TalesTwice Told Tales, about secrets of violence in heart, about secrets of violence in heart

Engaged; utopian farm-Brook Farm w/TranscendentalistsEngaged; utopian farm-Brook Farm w/Transcendentalists

Marries Sophia, moves to Concord where famous writersMarries Sophia, moves to Concord where famous writers

job at Custom House; mom dies, loses job job at Custom House; mom dies, loses job

Scarlet LetterScarlet Letter $ and success “hellfire story” $ and success “hellfire story”

House of Seven GablesHouse of Seven Gables and and Snow ImageSnow Image

Blithedale RomanceBlithedale Romance

U.S. Counsel at Liverpool, U.S. Counsel at Liverpool, Marble FaunMarble Faun—travel log —travel log

Pierce defeated; Lincoln=Civil War, H. out of place Pierce defeated; Lincoln=Civil War, H. out of place

journals journals Our Old HomeOur Old Home

dies (of solitude, according to Emerson)dies (of solitude, according to Emerson)

HISTORICAL CONTEXTHISTORICAL CONTEXT

To what “period” of AmericanTo what “period” of American

Literature does Hawthorne Literature does Hawthorne belong??belong??

Lets take a look at the Lets take a look at the history of of American Literature…..American Literature…..


English Heritage (Elizabethan Age)English Heritage (Elizabethan Age)1570-1650: Early Colonial period-1570-1650: Early Colonial period-

Puritan writings, no distinctive Puritan writings, no distinctive American literatureAmerican literature

1750-1800: Later Colonial 1750-1800: Later Colonial period-period- Age of Age of Reason/Enlightenment Reason/Enlightenment (Neoclassicism, Rationalism)(Neoclassicism, Rationalism)


1800-1850: American 1800-1850: American Renaissance/ Romanticism-Renaissance/ Romanticism- slave slave narratives, inner feelings, the burden narratives, inner feelings, the burden of a Puritan past, the rejection of of a Puritan past, the rejection of NeoclassicismNeoclassicism

TranscendentalismTranscendentalism was a part of was a part of this…this…

American RomanticismAmerican Romanticism AuthorsAuthors: Washington Irving, Edgar Allen Poe (more : Washington Irving, Edgar Allen Poe (more

Gothic/Dark Romantic), Hawthorne Gothic/Dark Romantic), Hawthorne Contemporary with Transcendentalists—Contemporary with Transcendentalists— Emerson and ThoreauEmerson and Thoreau

Valued feelings and intuition over reason Valued feelings and intuition over reason Reaction against classicism (rationalism)Reaction against classicism (rationalism) Valued individual freedom and worth of individual Valued individual freedom and worth of individual Explore subconscious; pre-Freudian psychology, faith Explore subconscious; pre-Freudian psychology, faith

in inner experience in inner experience More individualistic, less societal; about finding More individualistic, less societal; about finding

yourselfyourself Seems ancient, traditional, gothic, pastoralSeems ancient, traditional, gothic, pastoral Role of Frontier, critical of society—escape to nature Role of Frontier, critical of society—escape to nature

to gain moral and spiritual development to gain moral and spiritual development Gothic elements (darkness, considers conflicts Gothic elements (darkness, considers conflicts

between good and evil, sin, insanity, psychological between good and evil, sin, insanity, psychological effects, etc.)effects, etc.)

Power of imagination Power of imagination Beauty in exotic, supernatural, myth/legend/folklore Beauty in exotic, supernatural, myth/legend/folklore


TRANSCENDENTALISMTRANSCENDENTALISM Boston-centered movement, led by Boston-centered movement, led by

Emerson, was an important force in New Emerson, was an important force in New England circlesEngland circles

Human existence transcends the sensory Human existence transcends the sensory realmrealm

Belief in individual choice and Belief in individual choice and consequenceconsequence

Focus on the positiveFocus on the positive


SUBDIVISION OF ROMANTICISM: SUBDIVISION OF ROMANTICISM: GOTHIC GOTHIC LITERATURE, LITERATURE, the “dark the “dark romantics”(1800-1850)romantics”(1800-1850)

-use of supernatural-use of supernatural

-motif of double (both good and evil in-motif of double (both good and evil in

characters; sin and evil does exist)characters; sin and evil does exist)

-depression, dark forests-depression, dark forests

-Poe, Hawthorne, Melville-Poe, Hawthorne, Melville -emphasis on symbolism -emphasis on symbolism (which we will (which we will

discuss later)discuss later)

NATHANIEL HAWTHORNENATHANIEL HAWTHORNE

““The Scarlet LetterThe Scarlet Letter is powerfully is powerfully written but my writings do not, written but my writings do not, nor ever will, appeal to the nor ever will, appeal to the broadest class of sympathies, broadest class of sympathies, and therefore will not obtain a and therefore will not obtain a very wide popularity.” very wide popularity.”

-Hawthorne, after finishing the -Hawthorne, after finishing the novelnovel

NATHANIEL HAWTHORNENATHANIEL HAWTHORNE

As a literary artist…As a literary artist…

First American “pro writer”: college First American “pro writer”: college educated, familiar with the great educated, familiar with the great European writersEuropean writers

4,000 copies of 4,000 copies of The Scarlet LetterThe Scarlet Letter sold sold in the first 10 daysin the first 10 days

LITERARY ELEMENTSLITERARY ELEMENTS

CharactersCharactersMoodMoodSettingSettingPlot Plot SymbolismSymbolismThemesThemes

LITERARY ELEMENTS: LITERARY ELEMENTS: MOODMOOD

The SOMBER, DARK mood is well-The SOMBER, DARK mood is well-defined from the beginning:defined from the beginning:

““sad-colored garmentssad-colored garments” of spectators, ” of spectators, the prison door which is “the prison door which is “heavily heavily timbered and studded with iron timbered and studded with iron spikesspikes””

LITERARY ELEMENTS: LITERARY ELEMENTS: SETTINGSETTING

1717thth century century Puritanical New Puritanical New England (Mass.)England (Mass.)

What was America like What was America like then?then?


Life in the Mid 1600sLife in the Mid 1600s

Boston was founded just 2 decades earlierBoston was founded just 2 decades earlier 11stst governor was John Winthrop, who governed based on governor was John Winthrop, who governed based on

religious and civic idealsreligious and civic ideals People were hardworking and devotedPeople were hardworking and devoted 1630s- Puritans established a number of settlements in 1630s- Puritans established a number of settlements in

MassachusettsMassachusetts PURITANISMPURITANISM involved belief that the church of England involved belief that the church of England

was too much influenced by the Catholic churchwas too much influenced by the Catholic church Strict code, on which people were expected to act and Strict code, on which people were expected to act and

judged uponjudged upon Rejected belief that divine authority is channeled through Rejected belief that divine authority is channeled through

any one single person (i.e. the pope)any one single person (i.e. the pope) THEOCRACYTHEOCRACY- state governed by the church- state governed by the church

Theocracy as ExtremismTheocracy as Extremism

Ironically, it is largely Ironically, it is largely becausebecause of the Puritans – who of the Puritans – who themselves established a themselves established a theocratic government in the theocratic government in the New World – that we in New World – that we in America tend to view most America tend to view most theocratic governments as theocratic governments as extremist.extremist.

PuritanismPuritanismBegan in England in the mid-Began in England in the mid-

1500’s1500’sA sect of A sect of CalvinistsCalvinistsCalvinism named after Swiss Calvinism named after Swiss

theologian theologian John CalvinJohn CalvinCalvinism Calvinism ==

predeterminationpredeterminationno religious authority BUT Scriptureno religious authority BUT Scripture

““Puritans”Puritans”““Puritans” intended as a derogatory Puritans” intended as a derogatory

termterm““Puritans” usually referred to Puritans” usually referred to

themselves as “the Godly” themselves as “the Godly” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puritanism)(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puritanism)

Puritans fell quickly out of favor in Puritans fell quickly out of favor in England, where the king was the England, where the king was the head of the Church of England.head of the Church of England.

They recognized They recognized neitherneither the king’s the king’s secular or religious authority, and so secular or religious authority, and so quickly became enemies of civil and quickly became enemies of civil and religious leaders.religious leaders.

The Puritan Role in Development of “American” The Puritan Role in Development of “American” CharacterCharacter

In 1600, the Puritans left England for In 1600, the Puritans left England for Holland, which even in the 17Holland, which even in the 17thth century was a very liberal society.century was a very liberal society.

It was too liberal for the Puritans, It was too liberal for the Puritans, though, who disliked the though, who disliked the government’s permissiveness and government’s permissiveness and tolerance of behaviors/attitudes they tolerance of behaviors/attitudes they found unacceptable.found unacceptable.

In 1620, the Puritans left Holland for In 1620, the Puritans left Holland for the New World.the New World.

Established Plymouth Plantation in Established Plymouth Plantation in the “savage wilderness” of New the “savage wilderness” of New England.England.

Retained those aspects of European Retained those aspects of European society they liked; created new laws, society they liked; created new laws, policies, etc. to replace the elements policies, etc. to replace the elements of society they did not like.of society they did not like.

The Puritan Role in Development of “American” The Puritan Role in Development of “American” Character, cont.Character, cont.

Because Scripture was central to religion Because Scripture was central to religion and government, scholarship was a highly and government, scholarship was a highly valued right (reserved, of course, to men valued right (reserved, of course, to men only).only).

The role of religious leaders was to present The role of religious leaders was to present Scripture and guide other church members Scripture and guide other church members in its understanding and application.in its understanding and application.

Puritan religious leaders were NEVER seen Puritan religious leaders were NEVER seen as intermediaries or intercessors.as intermediaries or intercessors.

The Puritan Role in Development of “American” The Puritan Role in Development of “American” Character, cont.Character, cont.

““Puritan leaders were highly trained Puritan leaders were highly trained scholars, whose education tended to scholars, whose education tended to translate into positions that were often translate into positions that were often authoritarian.” authoritarian.” http://xroads.virginia.edu/~CAP/PURITAN/purhist.html

““There was a built-in hierarchism in this There was a built-in hierarchism in this sense, but one which mostly reflected sense, but one which mostly reflected the age.” the age.” http://xroads.virginia.edu/~CAP/PURITAN/purhist.html

Very Important: Anybody (theoretically) Very Important: Anybody (theoretically) could rise to the same level of authority.could rise to the same level of authority.

The Puritan Role in The Puritan Role in Development of “American” Development of “American”

Character, Character, cont.cont.

So…So…The Puritan emphasis on:The Puritan emphasis on: self-relianceself-reliance independenceindependence individual individual

achievementachievement individual individual

responsibilityresponsibility personal personal

accountabilityaccountability power through ability power through ability

(education)(education)

• All of which were discouraged in the Old World become the basis of “American Rugged Individualism”

• This is probably why most Americans disagree so strongly with theocracies

Puritan “Crime and Punishment”Puritan “Crime and Punishment” Because Puritan Boston Because Puritan Boston c.c. 1690 was still a 1690 was still a

theocratic society, crime against church (or theocratic society, crime against church (or God) was the equivalent of a crime against God) was the equivalent of a crime against another person or against “the State.”another person or against “the State.”

Yes… it was illegal to miss church on Yes… it was illegal to miss church on Sabbath days. It was also illegal to sleep Sabbath days. It was also illegal to sleep during sermons that could run 3 or more during sermons that could run 3 or more hours long – during each session (morning hours long – during each session (morning and afternoon) on a Sabbath.and afternoon) on a Sabbath.

http://www.materialreligion.org/objects/dec96obj.html

Puritan “Crime and Punishment”, Puritan “Crime and Punishment”, contcont..

Virtually any offense could land Virtually any offense could land you in the pillory, or stocks. The you in the pillory, or stocks. The Puritans imported this punishment Puritans imported this punishment to New England from England.to New England from England.

Entire purpose was public display Entire purpose was public display and public humiliation.and public humiliation.

Stocks were built on a scaffold in Stocks were built on a scaffold in the center of the village, where the center of the village, where townspeople could mock the townspeople could mock the offender, and throw rotten offender, and throw rotten vegetables or stones. Aside from vegetables or stones. Aside from the offender’s hands being the offender’s hands being immobilized, his ears would immobilized, his ears would frequently be nailed to the board frequently be nailed to the board behind his head.behind his head.

http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/2100/2111/pillory_1_md.gif

The Stocks

Puritan “Crime and Puritan “Crime and Punishment”, Punishment”, contcont..

After serving time in a jail and After serving time in a jail and then on the pillory, a convicted then on the pillory, a convicted criminal would often be required criminal would often be required to wear some outward sign of his to wear some outward sign of his or her offense.or her offense.

In 1637, as punishment for In 1637, as punishment for writing an essay that criticized writing an essay that criticized the archbishop, William Prynne the archbishop, William Prynne (no relation to the central (no relation to the central character in character in The Scarlet The Scarlet LetterLetter) – after being put in the ) – after being put in the stocks – had the letters “SL” (for stocks – had the letters “SL” (for “seditious libeler”) “seditious libeler”) brandedbranded onto onto his cheeks.his cheeks.

http://history.wisc.edu/sommerville/367/367-06.htm


What aspects of this type of religious society What aspects of this type of religious society can be seen in The Scarlet Letter?can be seen in The Scarlet Letter?

How do you think Hawthorne views this type How do you think Hawthorne views this type of society?of society?

How did his life affect the How did his life affect the writing of the novel?writing of the novel?

John Hathorne presided overJohn Hathorne presided over

the Salem Witch Trials of the Salem Witch Trials of 16921692

Major William Hathorne Major William Hathorne (1608-1681) persecuted (1608-1681) persecuted quakersquakers

1. Influences on Hawthorne: Puritan background1. Influences on Hawthorne: Puritan background

MAJOR THEMESMAJOR THEMES PURITAN MORALITY v. PASSION AND INDIVIDUALISM PURITAN MORALITY v. PASSION AND INDIVIDUALISM

/Adultery/Adultery Individual Rights/Self-trust v. accommodation to Individual Rights/Self-trust v. accommodation to

authorityauthority Conventional v. unconventional gender rolesConventional v. unconventional gender roles Guilt: sense of guilt forced by puritanical Guilt: sense of guilt forced by puritanical

heritage/societyheritage/society Hypocrisy v. IntegrityHypocrisy v. Integrity Moral Pride v. IntellectMoral Pride v. Intellect The penalties of isolation/ isolation because of self-The penalties of isolation/ isolation because of self-

cause and societal causecause and societal cause Patriarchal powerPatriarchal power Belief in fate/free willBelief in fate/free will Impossibility of earthly perfectionImpossibility of earthly perfection

MAJOR THEMESMAJOR THEMESPerhaps his greatest interest was the human Perhaps his greatest interest was the human

capacity on how sin operates on the inner workings capacity on how sin operates on the inner workings of mindsof minds

With the superstition common to With the superstition common to his brotherhood, he fancied himself his brotherhood, he fancied himself given over to a fiendgiven over to a fiend, to be , to be tortured with frightful dreams, tortured with frightful dreams, and desperate thoughts, the and desperate thoughts, the sting of remorse, and despair sting of remorse, and despair of pardonof pardon; ; as a foretaste of as a foretaste of what awaits him beyond the what awaits him beyond the gravegrave. But it was the constant . But it was the constant shadow of my presence!--the shadow of my presence!--the closest propinquity of the man closest propinquity of the man whom he had most vilely whom he had most vilely wronged!--and who had grown to wronged!--and who had grown to exist only by this exist only by this perpetual perpetual poison of the direst revengepoison of the direst revenge! ! Yea, indeed!--he did not err!--there Yea, indeed!--he did not err!--there was a fiend at his elbow! was a fiend at his elbow! A mortal A mortal man, with once a human heart, man, with once a human heart, has become a fiend for his has become a fiend for his especial torment!"especial torment!" The The unfortunate physician, while unfortunate physician, while uttering these words, lifted his uttering these words, lifted his hands with a look of horror, as if he hands with a look of horror, as if he had beheld had beheld some frightful shape, some frightful shape, which he could not recognize, which he could not recognize, usurping the place of his own usurping the place of his own imageimage in a glass. in a glass.

““smile with a sinister meaning”smile with a sinister meaning”

How did his life affect the How did his life affect the writing of the novel?writing of the novel?

2) Salem-2) Salem- childhood, later work at the childhood, later work at the Custom HouseCustom House, as Surveyor of the Port, as Surveyor of the Port

““The Custom House” introduction creates a The Custom House” introduction creates a

FRAME STORYFRAME STORY This introduction gives an account of his This introduction gives an account of his

experience as surveyor; he attacks the officials experience as surveyor; he attacks the officials who connived in his dismissal… Like his heroine who connived in his dismissal… Like his heroine Hester, Hawthorne emerges from confrontation Hester, Hawthorne emerges from confrontation with a self-righteous society as an individual of with a self-righteous society as an individual of integrity,passion, and moral superiorityintegrity,passion, and moral superiority..

SYMBOLISMSYMBOLISM

Symbolism is evident in the following Symbolism is evident in the following objects in The Scarlet Letter. objects in The Scarlet Letter.

What implications are made through What implications are made through the use of these symbols?the use of these symbols?

SymbolsSymbols

Rose/rosebushRose/rosebush Letter ALetter A Light/DarkLight/Dark PearlPearl The LeechThe Leech OthersOthers

LITERARY ELEMENT: LITERARY ELEMENT: SYMBOLISM IN THE NOVELSYMBOLISM IN THE NOVEL

SYMBOLISMSYMBOLISMThe A!The A! “It was so artistically done, and with so

much fertility and gorgeous luxuriance of fancy, that it had all the effect of a last and fitting decoration to the apparel which she wore; and which was of a splendor in accordance with the taste of the age, but greatly beyond what was allowed by the sumptuary regulations of the colony.”

“Not a stitch in that embroidered letter, but she has felt it in her heart.”

SYMBOLISMSYMBOLISM

Hester’s and Pearl’s ClothingHester’s and Pearl’s Clothing““Her own dress was of the Her own dress was of the coarsestcoarsest

materials and the most materials and the most sombresombre hue; with hue; with only that one ornament—only that one ornament—thethe scarlet scarlet letterletter—which it was her —which it was her doomdoom to wear.” to wear.”

““The child’s attire, on the other hand, was The child’s attire, on the other hand, was distinguished by a distinguished by a fancifulfanciful, or, we might , or, we might rather say, a rather say, a fantastic ingenuityfantastic ingenuity, which , which served, indeed, to heighten the served, indeed, to heighten the airy airy charmcharm that early began to develop itself that early began to develop itself in the little girl…”in the little girl…”

SYMBOLISMSYMBOLISM

PEARL (the name)PEARL (the name)““Her Pearl!—For so had Hester called Her Pearl!—For so had Hester called

her; not as a name expressive of her her; not as a name expressive of her aspect, which had aspect, which had nothing of the nothing of the calm, white, unimpassioned calm, white, unimpassioned lustrelustre that would be indicated by the that would be indicated by the comparison. But she named the comparison. But she named the infant “Pearl,” as infant “Pearl,” as being of great being of great price—purchased with all she hadprice—purchased with all she had—her mother’s only treasure—her mother’s only treasure!”!”

SYMBOLISMSYMBOLISM

The LeechThe Leech

““He gathered herbs here and there”He gathered herbs here and there”

““The Custom House” General The Custom House” General Info. Info.

Custom House: Government building where Custom House: Government building where customs are collected and where ships are customs are collected and where ships are cleared to enter or leave county (by water) cleared to enter or leave county (by water)

Hawthorne worked there for 27 months 1847-49 Hawthorne worked there for 27 months 1847-49 as surveyor (pretty much everyone else’s boss) as surveyor (pretty much everyone else’s boss)

““The Custom House” is both factual and The Custom House” is both factual and fictional—he did work at one and tells stories of fictional—he did work at one and tells stories of real people, but made up some of the stories, real people, but made up some of the stories, esp. the Letter A and Hester Prynne esp. the Letter A and Hester Prynne

““The Custom House” is intro. to The Custom House” is intro. to Scarlet LetterScarlet Letter——included for $ and more text, but also to set up included for $ and more text, but also to set up explanation why he wrote it (fictional) and explanation why he wrote it (fictional) and themes of isolation, alienation, etc. themes of isolation, alienation, etc.

Custom House Picture Custom House Picture

From first page of "The Custom-House" chapter in the 1878 edition of The Scarlet Letter published in 1878 by James R. Osgood and Co. in Boston.

““The Custom House” and The Custom House” and The Scarlet The Scarlet LetterLetter

The introductory chapter to The introductory chapter to The Scarlet LetterThe Scarlet Letter is called “The is called “The Custom House”. Custom House”.

Nathaniel Hawthorne tells of his time as a clerk in the Salem, Nathaniel Hawthorne tells of his time as a clerk in the Salem, Mass. Government Custom House.Mass. Government Custom House.

He claims to have found a letter written by Hester Prynne (the He claims to have found a letter written by Hester Prynne (the novel’s main character) and an embroidered scarlet A. The novel’s main character) and an embroidered scarlet A. The letter tells of Hester’s experiences, which Hawthorne relates letter tells of Hester’s experiences, which Hawthorne relates in the novel.in the novel.

The novel is NOT based in historical fact, but Hawthorne uses The novel is NOT based in historical fact, but Hawthorne uses “The Custom House” to give his story credibility.“The Custom House” to give his story credibility.

Hawthorne’s family came from Boston. He was descendant of Hawthorne’s family came from Boston. He was descendant of a judge in the Salem witch trials (named Hathorne). a judge in the Salem witch trials (named Hathorne). Hawthorne changed the spelling of his name to distance Hawthorne changed the spelling of his name to distance himself from his relative’s unsavory reputation. himself from his relative’s unsavory reputation. http://www.hawthorneinsalem.org/Life&Times/Biographttp://www.hawthorneinsalem.org/Life&Times/BiographihicalInfo/Adultlife/MMD1114.htmlcalInfo/Adultlife/MMD1114.html

THE ENDTHE END

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Nathaniel Hawthorne