1. By Nathaniel Hawthorne
The Scarlet Letter
By Nathaniel Hawthorne

3. Easy A:
A Modern day interpretation of The Scarlet Letter 

4. The Scarlet Letter in pop culture
Commercial

5. By Nathaniel Hawthorne
The Scarlet Letter
By Nathaniel Hawthorne

6. Nathaniel Hawthorne 1804-1864 Born in Salem, Massachusetts
• His ancestors were wealthy, influential people. One, William Hathorne, became a judge who persecuted Quakers; another, John Hathorne, sentenced many Salem women to death for witchcraft. Hawthorne was obsessed with the sins of these ancestors who reflected the religious intolerance of the Puritan society.
• The death of Hawthorne’s father when Nathaniel was four resulted in a series of unfortunate circumstances that created a lonely childhood for the boy.
• Hawthorne graduated from Bowden College, Maine, and spent the next twelve years in seclusion as he struggled to become a writer.
• In 1837 he published Twice Told Tales and earned great national fame. His stories won the admiration of Edgar Allan Poe, who considered Hawthorne a genius.

7. The man, the myth , the legend…..
Hawthorne:
The man, the myth , the legend…..

8. Hawthorne and Transcendentalism
Another contemporary of Hawthorne, Herman Melville, who wrote Moby Dick, became Hawthorne’s close friend. They both reacted to the Transcendental philosophers of the nineteenth century. Some critics refer to this reaction as “Anti-Transcendentalism.”
During his life, Hawthorne was friendly with Transcendentalists Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau; however, Hawthorne struggled with what he considered the overly optimistic ideas of the Transcendentalists.
Evidence of this struggle between a belief in the perfectibility of humanity by following one’s individual conscience and the essentially evil nature of humankind is seen in the ambiguity of The Scarlet Letter.

9. Hawthorne and Romanticism
In spite of Hawthorne’s opposition to Transcendentalism, he is typical of the nineteenth century Romantics. Like them, his stories:
a. deal with the strange and the mysterious.
b. involve symbolic imagination.
c. deal with interior psychology of characters.
d. turn to the past for subject matter.

10. Hawthorne’s Style
Hawthorne displays a use of formal language with a precise word choice; although the sentences are long and complex, they are logical and clear.
Hawthorne uses images frequently to create the mood and emphasize his ideas. Notice especially the use of plant life to differentiate between those with whom Nature sympathizes and those with whom she does not. Also, notice the use of darkness and shadows, light, the play of sunlight in the forest, etc.
The narrator tells most of the story in the form of a summary. Between the passages of explanation by the narrator are poignant, dramatic scenes. At times, Hawthorne interrupts the narration to provide necessary exposition. On other occasions, speaking directly to the reader, Hawthorne offers a choice of interpretations. The reader can decide what is literally true and what is a device to create a supernatural or symbolic effect. This ambiguity is one factor that makes the book so rich to read and discuss, but it also presents problems to readers who feel they need to understand definitively.
Setting of The Scarlet Letter: Puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1642

11. Hawthorne’s Style Syntax Long and Complex sentences Use of dashes
Litotes (Stating the affirmative through the negative)

12. Hawthorne’s Style—Dashes
Dashes are used the same way we use parentheses, to enclose fragments or whole sentences.
A dash introduces extra material, but a dash is quite a dramatic punctuation mark.
A dash interrupts the flow of the sentence and tells the reader to get ready for an important or dramatic statement.
* If you want to hang a spotlight on your words, decorate them with dashes.

13. Hawthorne’s Style
FIND THE CORE OF LONG SENTENCES AND PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO DASHES. Paraphrase the passage, looking primarily at what is before the dashes to discern Hawthorne's meaning.
It is a little remarkable, that—through disinclination to talk overmuch of myself and of my affairs at the fireside, and to my personal friends—an autobiographical impulse should twice in my life have taken possession of me, in addressing the public. The first time was three or four years since, when I favored the reader—inexcusably, and for no earthly reason, that either the indulgent reader or the intrusive author could imagine—with a description of my way of life in the deep quietude of an Old Manse. And now—because, beyond my deserts, I was happy enough to find a listener or two on the former occasion—I again seize the public by the button, and talk of my three years' experience in the Custom-House.

14. Hawthorne’s Style—Litotes
BE ON THE ALERT FOR LITOTES (Stating the affirmative through the negative)
“The age had not so much refinement, that any sense of impropriety restrained the wearers of petticoat and farthing gale from stepping forth in to the public ways, and wedging their not unsubstantial persons, if occasion were, into the throng nearest to the scaffold at an execution.”
(Translation: The age was unrefined, so no sense of propriety kept hefty women from going into the streets and pushing right to the front near the scaffold to watch an execution.)
“The women who were now standing about the prison-door stood within less than half a century of the period when the man-like Elizabeth had been the not altogether unsuitable representative of the sex.”
You try the one above:

15. Be Aware Of The Density Of Stylistic Devices In Hawthorne’s Writing
Be Aware Of The Density Of Stylistic Devices In Hawthorne’s Writing. Can you identify the oxymoron, hypophera, exclamatory sentence, loose sentence, and parallel structure Hawthorne uses in the passage below? Explain in simple terms what he is saying. But Arthur Dimmesdale! Were such a man once more to fall, what please be urged in extenuation of his crime? None; unless it avail him somewhat that he was broken down by long and exquisite suffering; that his mind was darkened and confused by the very remorse which harrowed it; that, between fleeing as an avowed criminal, and remaining as a hypocrite, conscience might find it hard to strike the balance; that it was human to avoid the peril of death and infamy, and the inscrutable machinations of an enemy; that, finally, to this poor pilgrim, on his dreary and desert path, faith, sick, miserable, there appeared a glimpse of human affection and sympathy, a new life, and a true one, in exchange for the heavy doom which he was now expiating.

16. Tips for Reading Hawthorne—
1. USE THE CHAPTER TITLES TO GUIDE YOUR READING
Each chapter is tightly unified and has a name that signals the main topic. The names are especially useful for reviewing the book.
I. The Prison-Door
II. The Market-Place
III. The Recognition
IV. The Interview
2. SIMPLIFY AND PARAPHRASE FLOWERY DICTION AND PHRASES
A. Original Style
"an autobiographical impulse should twice in my life have taken possession of me"
Modern Style
"twice I've had an urge to write about myself."
B. Original Style
"the wearers of petticoat and farthing gale”
"women"

18. What is an Antecedent?
The word, phrase, or clause referred to by a pronoun. The AP language exam occasionally asks for the antecedent of a given pronoun in a long, complex sentence or in a group of sentences.

19. Journal #23 Topic: Hawthorne Antecedents
Identify The Antecedent/References:
A revelation, he [Roger Chillingworth] could almost say, had been granted to him [Roger Chillingworth]. It
[ ___________________ ] mattered little for his object, whether celestial or from what other region. By its
[ ___________________ ] aid, in all the subsequent relations betwixt him and Mr. Dimmesdale, not merely the external presence, but the very inmost soul of the latter [ ___________________ ], seem to be brought out before his [ ___________________ ] eyes, so that he [ __________ ] could see and comprehend its [ __________________ ] every movement.
Fill in the correct antecendents/references in the blanks provided. The first two have been done for you.

20. Journal #23 Topic: Hawthorne Antecedents
Identify The Antecedent/References:
A revelation, he [Roger Chillingworth] could almost say, had been granted to him [ Roger Chillingworth ]. It
[the revelation] mattered little for his object, whether celestial or from what other region. By its
[the revelation’s] aid, in all the subsequent relations betwixt him and Mr. Dimmesdale, not merely the external presence, but the very inmost soul of the latter [Dimmesdale], seem to be brought out before his [Chillingworth’s] eyes, so that he [Chillingworth] could see and comprehend its [Dimmesdale’s soul] every movement.
Fill in the correct antecendents/references in the blanks provided. The first two have been done for you.

21. The Scarlet Letter Re-Cap
Evil Puritanical Society Because you have committed adultery, you must wear an 'A'. Harlot! Harlot! Hester Prynne ... (The Evil Puritanical Society SNUBS Hester Prynne.) Hester Prynne... (They call her NAMES.) (They won't let her play any Evil Puritanical Society GAMES.) Reverend Dimmesdale I can't take it anymore! I did it! THE END

22. Thesis Statements
Do you agree that public humiliation and ridicule, as punishment, is counterproductive and gratuitous? Public humiliation and ridicule, as punishment, is counterproductive and gratuitous because it is both ineffective at rehabilitation and cruel and unusual. Public humiliation is an effective form of punishment because it forces the punished entity to accept the crime and makes the public watchful for further transgressions. Experiences, Reading, Observation: CD’s Other Literature?

23. Journal #21 Topic: SL Style Analysis Chs. 1-2
Review the back of your bookmark and find specific quotes and page numbers from the book (Chs. 1-2) that fit with any of the stylistic elements.
Come up with examples that relate to the novel being typical of 19th Century Romantic
Annotate and be ready to discuss!

24. Natural law vs. Civil Law
Natural Laws rule in a state of nature Civil Laws are created when people make them. Natural law or the law of nature, it is a system of law that is purportedly determined by nature, and thus universal. Classically, natural law refers to the use of reason to analyze human nature both social and personal—and deduce binding rules of moral behavior from it. Unlike a civil law, which must be written down and publicized in order to be known, a law of nature is natural and inherently known by all because it can be deduced by innate mental faculties (reason, philosophy).

25. The Archetype of the waif
A waif is a living creature removed, by hardship, loss or other helpless circumstance, from its original surroundings. The most common usage of the word is to designate a homeless, forsaken or orphaned child, or someone whose appearance is suggestive of the same.

26. The Scarlet Letter Terms
Natural law vs. Civil Law: Natural law or the law of nature, it is a system of law that is purportedly determined by nature, and thus universal. Classically, natural law refers to the use of reason to analyze human nature—both social and personal—and deduce binding rules of moral behavior from it. Unlike a civil law, which must be written down and publicized in order to be known, a law of nature is natural and inherently known by all because it can be deduced by innate mental faculties (reason, philosophy). A waif is a living creature removed, by hardship, loss or other helpless circumstance, from its original surroundings. The most common usage of the word is to designate a homeless, forsaken or orphaned child, or someone whose appearance is evocative of the same.

27. Civil Law vs. Natural Law
Civil law versus Natural law. Marriage is a civil institution governed by the state. Theoretically, it is the solemnized commitment between two people who love one another. Hester, however, claims that even at the time of their marriage she did not love Chillingworth, and Chillingworth admits he violated a law of Nature by marrying a young and beautiful woman who could not love him. Hester and Dimmesdale’s adultery, therefore—if motivated by true love, as the reader is led to believe—is a violation of civil law only. Hester’s marriage, protected by this civil law, is a violation of natural law.

28. Journal #24 Topic: SL Connections
Despite the difference in clothing and customs, how do the psychological and moral aspects of this story make it relevant for today’s readers? Cite specific examples (pg #’s) from the Chapters you have thus far and make a modern day connection. Are there any aspects of the novel that seem to have connections to other works you have read (thematic or stylistic?) Explain and cite examples.

29. Journal #25 Topic: SL Reflections
1. Review Chs : Write a quick 4-5 sentence summary of events. 2. Ch. 14: “It is not in the pleasure of the magistrates to take off this badge,” Hester tells Chillingworth. “Were I worthy to be quit of it, it would fall away of its own nature, or be transformed into something that should speak a different purport.” Has the latter possibility—that the scarlet letter would have a wholly different meaning—already happened? Cite evidence from the book to support your opinion. 3. Review your notes as to the elements of Romantic literature. What events have transpired recently within your reading that reveal some of these components?

30. Pearl Diction
1. Go back through Chapter VI: Pearl and find as many adjectives and descriptive phrases that Hawthorne, the townspeople and Hester attribute to Pearl. List as many as possible. 2. Evaluate the adjectives and descriptive phrases. What is the effect? What do you make of Pearl at this point in the novel? What are some adjectives you would use to describe her?

31. Pearl
Immortal flower, brought forth from Eden, a plaything of the angels, imp, demon-child, deep stains of crimson and gold, untempered light, black shadow, strange remoteness and intangibility, a thing incapable of human sorrow, an airie sprite, evil spirit possessed the child, an outcast of the infantile world, wild energy, wild flow of spirits, shadowy reflection of evil, fierce temper, passionate

32. Civil Law vs. Natural Law
Civil law versus Natural law. Marriage is a civil institution governed by the state. Theoretically, it is the solemnized commitment between two people who love one another. Hester, however, claims that even at the time of their marriage she did not love Chillingworth, and Chillingworth admits he violated a law of Nature by marrying a young and beautiful woman who could not love him. Hester and Dimmesdale’s adultery, therefore—if motivated by true love, as the reader is led to believe—is a violation of civil law only. Hester’s marriage, protected by this civil law, is a violation of natural law.

33. The Scarlet Letter Unit Test: What to study
SAT/Tone words will be intermittently mixed in with certain questions
Review Background Notes on Hawthorne, time period and Hawthorne’s style
Part A: Character Matching
Part B: True/False
Part C: Multiple Choice
Part D: Quote Matching: Match the quote with the character the quote pertains to
Part E: Match the quote with the speaker
Test has a total of 65 questions. Make sure to review study guide discussion questions as many of the test questions will be derived from these elements discussed in class.