Book Analysis Project

1. Book Analysis Project Based on the classic “The Scarlet Letter” By: Nathaniel Hawthorne Sarah Foster Pd. AB

2. Nathaniel Hawthorne • Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on July 4th 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts. He was a famous American novelist and short story writer. In 1821 he starts college at Bowdoin College. When he graduated college in 1825, he stayed isolated from his family and friends and moved back to Salem where he would take his meals alone and spend most of his time writing. Soon he wrote his first book Fanshawein 1828. he published this book anonymously and the public ignored it. Hawthorne starts working in a Custom House in 1839, but ten years later he loses his job. After losing his job Hawthorne quotes "I detest this town so much that I hate to go out into the streets, or to have people see me.“ • When Hawthorne’s mother dies, he dives into a deep depression but still continues to write his upcoming novel The Scarlet Letter. The Scarlet Letter came out in March of 1850. Since the book had very scandalous themes like adultery and betrayal, This novel became an instant bestseller. • During the remainder of his life he wrote many more novels such as Seven Gables and a White Whale, and The Blithedale Romance.He also was on the US Consul in Liverpool in 1853 and loses his position in 1857. • Hawthorne dies May 19, 1864, and is later reunited with his wife and daughter in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery after their deaths. Nathaniel Hawthorne may be gone, but just as his books will never be forgotten. /

3. Roger Chillingworth was the husband of Hester Prynne. Their marriage was not a good example of a loving relationship. Chillingworth didn’t truly love Prynne, but only wanted companionship, for he was scared of being lonely. Their marriage consisted of Roger ignoring her, and neither really loving each other. When Hester went to America, Chillingworth stayed behind. After 2 years had passed so it was believed that Roger was lost at sea. He had actually been captured by Indians where he learned useful information of the medical field. • Chilllingworth comes to America where his wife Hester had made home, only to find out that she has been impregnated by another man. When Roger confronts her on who the father is, Hester denies him response. Angry and seeking revenge Chillingsworth responds “…Let him live! Let him hide himself in outward honour, if he may! Not the less he shall be mine!” He has reason to suspect Arthur Dimmesdale a reverend who has recently became very ill and sickly to be the father. Roger then poses as Dimmesdales doctor so that it looks like he is out to help him. In actuality he is only there to torture him immensely to force his confirmation out of him. Dimmesdale eventually confesses and Chillngworth has nothing else to live for considering the only thing he had to live for was revenge. Hester and Dimmesdale’s daughter Pearl, inherits all of Chillingworth’s money after his demise. Roger Chillingworth

4. Hester Prynne has many conflicts with various characters throughout the novel. One of these include the people in power, such as the governor and the reverends. • The people in power want to take Pearl away from Hester because they feel like she is an unfit mother. The Governor says on pg. 101 “The point hath been weightily discussed, whether we, that are of authority and influence, do well discharge our consciences by trusting an immortal soul, such as there is in yonder child, to the guidance off one who hath stumbled and fallen, amid the pitfalls of this world.” stating how he feels Hester is an unfit mother. • The source of this conflict overall is Pearl. For one the way in which she was created was considered unholy which is the ultimate cause of this conflict. Also the person who is caring for her is the source of the conflict because Hester is looked down on by society and not the most fit person to be raising a child. Hester Prynne- Conflict Analysis

5. This conflict occurs because of the way in which Pearl was created. If she would have been born in a married relationship, she would not have had the problem of losing her mother. Also, she would not have angered the governor if she hadn’t answered the question he asked on pg. 101 “Canst thou tell me, my child, who made thee?” so condescendingly. Instead of answering the question right away Pearl runs away and fools around. When she finally decides to answer she says “she had not been made at all, but had been plucked by her mother off the bush of wild roses that grew by the prison door.” on pg. 102. On the same page the governor cried “this is awful!” Hester Prynne- Conflict Analysis

6. The effect that losing Pearl would have on Hester is that it would truly drive her mad. She tells everyone on pg. 103 that she is “ready to defend them to death.” Hester then insists to the governor that “she is my happiness- she is my torture.” which will show that Pearl is Hester’s only real punishment that she can have for the rest of her days. • The resolution of this problem comes when they see that Pearl will be a constant reminder of her shame, and she alone will be the ultimate punishment. Hester also insinuates that without pearl she would sign her name “…in the Black Man’s book… with my own blood” on pg. 107, or that she would take her own life. • Dimmesdale also comes in to defend Hester and Pearl which makes the others back away from them. He comes to their rescue because Hester begs on pg. 103, and says to Dimmesdale “…thou knowest what is in my heart, and what are a mother’s rights…” • After this Hester gets to keep Pearl as punishment, and the conflict is resolved. Hester Prynne- Conflict Analysis