Nathaniel Hawthorne American Romanticism “Dark Romantic” (Gothic Literature)

Nathaniel Hawthorne American Romanticism “Dark Romantic” (Gothic Literature) 1804-1864 Born in Salem, Massachusetts Descended from a prominent Puritan family. (*He was not a Puritan and was born 112 years after the Salem witchcraft trials.) Like other Dark Romantics, he believed that evil was a dominant force in the world – think of Melville’s Moby Dick Dark insight into the human heart Writing fueled by an awareness of the guilt that accompanies a Puritan conscience—bothered by ancestor’s actions.

Nathaniel Hawthorne American Romanticism “Dark Romantic” (Gothic Literature) Sea captain father died when Hawthorne was young Added the “w” to his family name He and his wife lived at the communal Brook Farm for a while with Emerson & Thoreau (transcendentalists-people are good, nature is good, people are one with nature, etc.) Anti-transcendentalist=examines both good AND BAD in world -- the “romantics” valued youth…what would Hawthorne say? Best known for The Scarlet Letter

Connecting to the Literature “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment” If you could start your life over again – wipe the slate clean and start over – would you? Would you relive your life differently? Would you make the same mistakes? What choices do you think most people would make?

Literary Focus “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment” Allegory: a story or poem in which characters, setting, and events stand for abstract ideas or moral qualities (hope, wisdom, courage, etc.). This story can be read on two levels: literal & allegorical Symbol: person, place, thing, or event that stands for itself and something else.

Literary Focus “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment” Pay attention to the description of characters, along with the character’s actions and words. An allegory also contain a moral, look for a moral – a lesson to be learned Hawthorne’s writing is usually subtle, and ambiguous.

Character Chart “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment” As you read, record description details in the chart below: Key Description Actions and Words What the Character Represents Character Mr. Medbourne Colonel Killigrew Mr. Gascoigne Widow Wycherly

Literary Focus “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment” Pay attention to the central event. (What happened?) to the setting. (Where did it happen?). to the characters. (To whom did it happen?) to the use of symbolism to the climax to the resolution Read the story beginning on page 228. Complete your character chart as you read. Write out answers to questions 1-8 on page 237

A Broader Scope “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment” The search for eternal youth – reversing the aging process – is an archetypal plot Greek mythology-Orpheus (page 236) the fountain of youth – Ponce de Leon Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes

Do people today try to reverse the aging process? “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment” Diet and exercise Hair color or facial creams Botox Plastic surgery Cryogenics Do these actions ever lead to bad outcomes? What would you risk to be “forever young”?

“Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment” Symbols to Examine Can you match the symbol its meaning and explain your answer? black book medicine / science water magic mirror beauty/love/mistakes portrait of Sylvia Ward death (skeleton in the closet) rose and butterfly stages of life bust of Hippocrates rebirth oaken cabinet truth

Access the link below and then scroll down the page to enjoy a comic book style version of “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment. “Dr. Heidegger’s Experiment” http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=dr+heidegger%27s+experiment&view=detail&id=4616807F68CBAD5399A34B9BE61E602479893FBA&first=1&FORM=IDFRIR How does this short story fulfill the elements of gothic literature that deal with the supernatural, a dark and mysterious atmosphere, dark location, heightened emotions, etc.?

Nathaniel Hawthorne American Romanticism “Dark Romantic” (Gothic Literature)