The Scarlet Letter Introduction

The Scarlet Letter A highly symbolic story of guilt, sin, remorse, and revenge Published in 1850 Considered first great American novel.

Nathaniel Hawthorne Born 1804 in Salem, Mass. Bowdoin College in 1825 Lived reclusively; reading and writing Worked at Custom Houses in Boston and Salem; briefly in commune at Brook Farm Married Sophie Amelia Peabody Settled at Old Manse in Concord; moved to Lenox and befriended Herman Melville (Moby Dick)

Nathaniel Hawthorne Concerned with ethical problems of sin, punishment, and atonement Although he admired his ancestors’ love of learning (good), he felt a bigger sense of guilt for roles of ancestors in persecution of Quakers; Salem witch trials (evil). Probed motivations of human behavior

Nathaniel Hawthorne Believed man was born “perfect” but affected by natural passion and love of freedom. Therefore, all people have capacity to sin. The worst sin was to meddle with someone else’s soul/mind: That is a person’s private identity.

Nathaniel Hawthorne Also concerned with guilt, anxiety that results from sins against humanity, especially pride. Deviated from Puritan ideas about predestination; people can choose the consequences of their sins. People can learn and grow from their sins.

Nathaniel Hawthorne Considered his works “romances” – not strictly realistic In this context, a romantic work is not just a “love” story (although that could be applied to The Scarlet Letter in some ways). Rather, romanticism is concerned with internal truths A romantic novel uses symbolism and allegory to get to the “truth of the human heart” Hawthorne’s most famous works: “Rappacini’s Daughter” “Young Goodman Brown” The House of Seven Gables The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter Setting Boston/Massachusetts Bay Colony Summer of 1642, 12 years after arrival of first Puritan settlers Story begins and ends in the marketplace

The Scarlet Letter The Custom House Nameless narrator Shares traits with author Takes post as officer at Salem Custom House (customs are taxes paid on foreign imports; customhouse is building where taxes are paid)

The Scarlet Letter Narrator tries to amuse himself at customhouse because few ships come into Salem anymore Discovers documents in unoccupied second story of building Manuscript is bundled in scarlet cloth embroidered with an “A” Holds cloth to his chest but drops it because it seems to burn him

The Scarlet Letter Manuscript is by Jonathon Pue, a customs surveyor from 100 years earlier Narrator mentions uneasiness about making a career in writing (his Puritan ancestors would find it frivolous) But he decides to write a fictional account of Hester Prynne’s experiences, staying faithful to the outline and spirit of the real story

The Scarlet Letter He is uninspired to write while working at customhouse. Loses his politically appointed job and writes at home.

Sets the atmosphere and connects present to the past The Scarlet Letter Introduction purpose Sets the atmosphere and connects present to the past Through the narrator, Hawthorne establishes his disdain for stern morality and rigidity of Puritans Gives the story an air of historic truth: names real people, places, and events

The Scarlet Letter Characters (author does not take sides; readers make their own conclusions) Hester Prynne: young, beautiful adulteress who believes she has committed a social crime, not a sin against God. The crime results from love. The first great female character/protagonist in an American novel

The Scarlet Letter Roger Chillingworth Hester’s husband who is destroyed by a sin he did not commit. But he does commit his own: He is consumed by his need for vengeance.

The Scarlet Letter Arthur Dimmesdale Hester’s minister who tries to bring her to confession of her lover’s name; very complex character

Pearl Hester’s daughter The result and embodiment of the sin. The Scarlet Letter Pearl Hester’s daughter The result and embodiment of the sin.

Governor Bellingham John Wilson Mistress Hibbins The Scarlet Letter Actual historic figure; symbol of civic authority John Wilson Based on English-born minister who arrived in Boston in 1630. Symbol of religious authority and Puritan Theocracy Mistress Hibbins Historical figure and sister of Gov. Bellingham; executed for witchcraft in 1656 Has insight into sins of other characters; symbolizes supernatural knowledge and evil power.

Narrator does parallel Hester Prynne in some ways: The Scarlet Letter Although Hawthorne and the narrator have a lot in common, do not equate them. Narrator does parallel Hester Prynne in some ways: Feels alienated from people he spends his days with Youth and vitality separate him from other career officers He seeks out a few who will understand him He notes that someday he will be reduced to the name on a custom stamp (like Hester is reduced to a letter)

The Scarlet Letter Because he identifies with Hester, he makes her story universal He finds writing therapeutic He also finds writing to be a practical way to understand American history and culture Hester’s story comes to us filtered: first through Jonathon Pue and then through the narrator.