APEN 11Warm-UpHawthorneWriting PromptThe Scarlet Letter

Warm-UpWhat symbols exist within The Scarlet Letter? What does each represent? How do you know?

The Life of Nathaniel HawthorneHawthorne was born on July 4th, 1804 in Salem, MassachusettsFather: Nathaniel Hathorne Sr. was a sea captain. Mother: Elizabeth Clarke Manning was a descendent of blacksmiths

The Life of Nathaniel HawthorneHawthorne attended Bowdoin CollegeAfter his graduation he turned to writing. He wrote several successful short stories which were collected in Twice-Told Tales (1837).

The Life of Nathaniel HawthorneFollowing university, Hawthorne returned to Salem where he met Sophia Peabody.After a five year engagement, they were married in 1842.

The Life of Nathaniel HawthorneUnable to support his new family by writing, in 1846 Hawthorne accepted a political appointment to the Salem Custom House as Surveyor of the Port.

The Life of Nathaniel HawthorneThis bureaucratic position stunted Hawthorne's creativity.A change in administration, however, led to his termination in 1849. Hawthorne's mother died at the same time.

The Life of Nathaniel HawthorneSome critics have suggested that the loss of both his position and mother provided the creative impetus to write The Scarlet Letter (1850).

The Life of Nathaniel HawthorneHawthorne's connection to Salem haunted him.His great-grandfather John Hathorne was the chief-interrogator of the "Salem Witches."

The Life of Nathaniel HawthorneThe story that Hawthorne added the "w" to his name to distance himself from his Hathorne ancestors has no clear evidence to support it.

The Life of Nathaniel HawthorneNathaniel Hawthorne died on May 18, 1864 in Plymouth, New Hampshire.He is credited with writing the first truly American novel: The Scarlet Letter.

Literary ThemesAlienation a character is isolated due to self-cause or societal-causeGuilt vs. Innocence a character's sense of guilt caused by Puritanical values/heritage

Literary ThemesIndividual vs. SocietySelf-reliance vs. AccommodationHypocrisy vs. IntegrityFate vs. Free WillUnconventional Gender RolesImpossibility of Human Perfection

ImageryHawthorne makes use of the following patterns of images:Light vs. DarkNatural vs. UnnaturalSunshine vs. Firelight or Moonlight and Reflections

Romantic/Gothic MotifsFantasiesDreamsReveriesOpen-ended endings and unanswered questions the open-ended possibilities of idealistic romance

Hawthorne's Views of Romanticism and TranscendentalismHawthorne did not conform to the Romantic focus on the emotions and abandonment of reason.Hawthorne strove to create a balance between "head and heart."

Hawthorne's Views of Romanticism and TranscendentalismHawthorne believed that human fulfillment was achieved through a balance between mind, reason, heart, spirit, will, and imagination.Hawthorne's balanced approach placed him in opposition to Transcendentalists like Emerson, Thoreau, and Longfellow.

The American NovelHawthorne's novel was not a means of escape, but rather a means to examine society and life.His novel invited criticism of the worlds he reflected Puritanism.

Hawthorne's NovelHawthorne's novel found relevance as more than mere entertainment, but as something more prophetic and integral to the American identity.

The Puritans1565 Spanish settlers land in St. Augustine, FL1607 Captain John Smith and others land at Jamestown and establish the first English settlement in America1638 Anne Hutchinson is banished from New England for her beliefs.1650 The events of The Scarlet Letter take place1773 The Boston Tea Party is staged to protest British taxes on the colonists1776 Colonists declare their independence from Britain1850 The Scarlet Letter

The Custom HouseWhy is this included in the text? What purpose does it fulfill?

Writing PromptWhy dost thou smile so at me? inquired Hester, troubled at the expression of his eyes. Art thou like the Black Man that haunts the forest round about me? Hast though enticed me into a bond that will prove the ruin of my soul?Not thy soul, he answered, with another smile. No, not thine!

In your own words, explain this exchange between Hester and Roger Chillingworth. What bond is she discussing and whose soul is in danger? Your answer should prove a thorough reading of the text!

The Scarlet Letter Part IHe was small in stature, with a furrowed visage which, as yet, could hardly be termed aged. There was a remarkable intelligence in his features, as of a person who had so cultivated his mental part that it could not fail to mould the physical to itselfone of this mans shoulders rose higher than the other.

The Scarlet Letter Part I

How do you feel about what happens to Hester Prynne in the beginning?What is her punishment? What do you think the magistrates are hoping to accomplish with this punishment?

On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread, appeared the letter A.

SYMBOLISMHesters and Pearls ClothingHer own dress was of the coarsest materials and the most sombre hue; with only that one ornamentthe scarlet letterwhich it was her doom to wear.

The childs attire, on the other hand, was distinguished by a fanciful, or, we might rather say, a fantastic ingenuity, which served, indeed, to heighten the airy charm that early began to develop itself in the little girl

SYMBOLISMPEARL (the name)Her Pearl!For so had Hester called her; not as a name expressive of her aspect, which had nothing of the calm, white, unimpassioned lustre that would be indicated by the comparison. But she named the infant Pearl, as being of great pricepurchased with all she hadher mothers only treasure!

SYMBOLISMThe 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.

SYMBOLISMThe Prison Gate and the Rose

But on one side of the portal, and rooted almost at the threshold, was a wild rosebush, covered, in this month of June, with its delicate gemsThis rosebushhas been kept alive in history; but whether it had merely survived out of the stern old wildernessIt may serve, let us hope, to symbolize some sweet moral blossom that may be found along the track, or relieve the darkening close of a tale of human frailty and sorrow.

HomeworkScarlet Letter Journals are due 11/6