1. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

2. Nathaniel Hawthorne
Spent most of his life in Boston and Salem
Changed the spelling of his last name to avoid association with Judge Hathorne
Published over 100 short stories, novels, and non-fiction pieces
Worked in the Salem Custom House from
Claimed to find the actual Scarlet Letter and its story in the attic of the Custom House…he edited the story and re-told it as a fictionalized version

3. Historical Context Puritan society: strict governance and punishments
Religion was the law: no separation of church and state
The novel is set 50 years before the Salem Witch Trials
Written as a criticism and warning against the Puritan society

4. Literary Information Style: Romantic/Gothic Point of View: Omniscient
Detailed descriptions, old language, long sentences
Point of View: Omniscient
All knowing, describing events after they took place, focuses on one character per chapter
Conflicts: Internal and External
Woman vs. Society, Man vs. himself
Plot:
Love Triangle and one woman’s story of survival, perseverance, and strength
Literary Devices:
Foreshadowing and Symbolism

5. Themes The Power of Love
If love is true, no law or rule can prevent it
Alienation
To shun someone or force them to be an outcast
Appearance vs. Reality
People and situations are not always what they appear to be
Breaking Society’s Rules
What happens to those who break the rules of expected behavior in society?

6. Symbols “A” Colors Light/Darkness Forest Pearl
Adultery/Alienated
This symbol changes meaning by the end of the novel
Colors
Black: Puritans, gloom, death, hidden
Red: Sin, passion
Light/Darkness
Light: exposure
Darkness: guilt & concealment
Forest
Freedom, natural world, natural laws, not man made laws
Pearl
Child, but symbolizes unsolved mystery and a reminder of sin