1. 1804-1864

2. Was one of two great novelists of the mid-ninteenth century (the other being Melville) Born in Salem, Mass., where his family had lived for six generations. Earliest ancestors were Puritans. John Hathorne, one of his ancestors, was a presiding judge at the Salem Witchcraft Trials Felt guilty because of his ancestors’ behavior Added (w) to his last name Wrote The Scarlet Letter

3. Father was a sea captain who was lost at sea when he was four; mother became a grieving recluse. Went to Bowdoin College, where he graduated in 1825. Famous classmates: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Franklin Pierce (14 th president (1853-1857)) Publisher Horatio Bridge For twelve years after college, secluded himself to become a better writer

4. 1837 – Twice-Told Tales, a collection of short stories, was published. Engaged to Sophia Peabody; married 5 years later. Gained fame and popularity with the publication of The Scarlet Letter Themes of sin/guilt and the problem of evil and isolation also prevalent in The House of Seven Gables, published in 1851. Became increasingly gloomy Money worries Civil War Writer’s block

5. Dark Romantic, careful craftsman, symbolic writer Elements and themes: 1. Belief in Order: part of this is the proper relationship between men and women 2. Love: central reality of life; woman is the redemptive agent in fighting evil 3. The Heart is Superior to the Head: if you use only your head, you become either a fool or a fiend. Many of H’s works include an intellectual villain (cool, calculating scientist)

6. 4. Alienation and Isolation: either self-caused or societal or both 5. Initiation: an alienated character attempts to rid himself of isolation 6. Guilt: enforced by Puritanical society or heritage… also guilt v. innocence 7. Pride: Hawthorne treats pride as evil, “Pride cometh before a fall.” 8. Allegory: Didastic and Moralistic

7. Famous Works: The Minister’s Black Veil Rappaccini’s Daughter The Birthmark Young Goodman Brown The Scarlet Letter

8. First published in the 1836 edition of The Token and Atlantic Souvenir. Later republished in Twice-Told Tales in 1837 Hawthorne may have been inspired by a true event. A clergyman named Joseph Moody of York, Maine, nicknamed "Handkerchief Moody," accidentally killed a friend when he was a young man and wore a black veil from the man's funeral until his own death.

9. Main characters: Reverend Hooper, Elizabeth Point of view: 3 rd person, omniscient Conflict: Man v. Himself (guilt) Man v. Man (the congregation/world at large) Themes: Hidden Nature of Guilt Communion of Sinners Morality Setting: 18 th century town in Puritan New England

10. Climax: final question upon deathbed of whether or not he will remove the veil. Resolution: no clear resolution, as the meaning behind the veil is never revealed, but rather left to reader interpretation and estimation. Reverend Hooper challenges everyone to recognize the black veil and hidden sin in their own lives.

11. Hawthorne’s present elements: Love Alienation/Isolation Guilt Pride (spiritual)