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The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Explore the world of Puritan society in Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic novel, "The Scarlet Letter," delving into themes of love, alienation, and breaking societal norms through the lens of symbolism and Gothic Romantic style.

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The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

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  1. The Scarlet Letterby Nathaniel Hawthorne

  2. Nathaniel Hawthorne 1804-1864 • 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 1839-1849 • 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 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” • 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

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