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The Scarlet Letter. By Nathaniel Hawthorne. Introduction. Published in 1850 Nathaniel H aw thorne – changed his name because he was ashamed of his ancestor – Judge H a thorne – who was a judge at the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. (Guilt = poss. reason for writing the novel)
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The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne
Introduction • Published in 1850 • Nathaniel Hawthorne – changed his name because he was ashamed of his ancestor – Judge Hathorne – who was a judge at the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. (Guilt = poss. reason for writing the novel) • Main Character: Hester Prynne
The Custom-House Nathaniel Hawthorne – worked for customs on first floor – one day, got bored, went exploring on 2nd floor. In dusty corner, saw something gleaming in red. It was a letter A made out of red cloth. Wrapped in it was parchment – the outline written by Jonathan Pueof Hester’s story. Plot Device – this introduction is a trick that needs your suspension of disbelief to work.
The Custom-House (cont.) • Pue – tells Hawthorne to do justice to the story of Hester Prynne. -- first instance of the supernatural motif. -- a recurring image, or pattern.
Themes • Courage • Perseverance • Equality
Conflicts • Man vs. Man • Man vs. Society • Man vs. Himself
Chpt. I – The Prison-Door Boston, 1660s • Jail, Cemetery – first things built in “New World.” -- implies that …
Chpt. I – The Prison-Door (cont.) Imagery – appeals to 5 senses (Random woman in prison.) • Evokes emotion in reader: fear, sadness, horror… Jail – described by the narr. as “the black flower of civilized society” (39). -- “black” implies… -- combined w/ flower, implies…
The Prison-Door (cont.) Symbol- rose bush • Outside prison door, only element of color in chpt., so it implies…. • Ann Hutchinson – Hester is compared to her, so…
