The Scarlet Letter Presentation

1. The Scarlet LetterPresentation Michael Yeropoli Pd. C-D

2. Nathaniel Hawthorne Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in 1804 in the city of Salem, Massachusetts to Nathaniel Hathorne and the former Elizabeth Clarke Manning. His ancestors include John Hathorne, the only judge involved in the Salem witch trials who never repented of his actions. Nathaniel later added a "w" to make his name "Hawthorne" in order to hide this relation. He entered Bowdoin College in 1821, was elected to Phi Betta Kappa in 1824,and graduated in 1825. Hawthorne anonymously published his first work, a novel titled Fanshawe, in 1828. He published several short stories in various periodicals which he collected in 1837 as twice-Told Tales. The next year, he became engaged to Sophia Peabody. He worked at a Custom House and joined Brook farm, a transcendentalist community, before marrying Peabody in 1842. The couple moved to The Old Manse in Concord, Massachusetts, later moving to Salem, the Berkshires, then to The Wayside in Concord. The Scarlet Letter was published in 1850, followed by a succession of other novels. A political appointment took Hawthorne and family to Europe before their return to The Wayside in 1860. Hawthorne died on May 19, 1864, and was survived by his wife and their three children. A touching human story of a time that makes us wonder how far religious and moral extremes could take us, this classic has not only survived but flourished. At once a dire warning and a moving story of the human will to survive, The Scarlet Letter is still read by scholars and laymen alike more than 150 years after its publication. -Teen Ink

3. Conflict Analysis: Roger Chillingworth Roger Chillingworth is the main antagonist of the story. He is the antagonist of both Hester Prynne, his estranged wife, and Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, Hester’s secret lover. The reason for Roger’s anger towards Hester and Arthur is because of jealousy. When Hester came over to America from Europe, Roger was supposed to follow her over some time later after finishing business. When Hester arrived in America, Roger never showed up and was believed to be dead in a shipwreck. This lead to Hester’s secret adultery with Dimmesdale. When Roger finally did appear in Boston, it was to his surprise to find his wife being publicly humiliated for committing adultery. Under his new alias as a doctor, he was granted permission to visit and “treat” her and her new born daughter, Pearl. Chillingworth demands to know the identity of Hester’s lover, but she refuses to tell him. On page 70, Hester says “Thou shalt never know!” After her defiance, Roger makes it his goal to find the manresponsible and enact revenge. Due to Dimmesdale’s worsening health and depression, a doctor was appointed to stay with him. This doctor was none other than Chillingworth. Roger quickly discovers that Dimmesdale’s depression is a result of him sinning and committing adultery with Hester. After discovering that Dimmesdale was the man who took everything from him, Chillingworth started his torment of Arthur. Using his skills in psychology, Roger intensifies the reverend's guilt and plunges him deeper into despair and self loathing.

4. Conflict Analysis: Roger Chillingworth In an attempt to save Dimmesdale, Hester tells him of Chillingworth’s true identity. With this, Arthur and Hester plan on making a voyage back to Europe with Pearl to escape Roger. Chillingworth, though, to make sure Arthur doesn’t escape his clutches, buys passage on the same ship. But before they can leave, Dimmesdale publicly confesses his sins to the town, on page 227 calling himself “The one sinner of the world.” After this, Dimmesdale dies in Hester’s arms. With nothing left to live for, as he states on page 228,”Thou has escaped me!” Chillingworth soon dies as well. Before death, Roger enacts one final act of grace. He writes a will and leaves all of his vast fortune to Hester and Pearl.

5. Theme There are many times in life when a situation changes our life in different ways. We may be accused of an unjust act, we may be wronged and seek retribution, we ourselves may do something immoral, and regret ever doing so. These circumstances happened in different ways to the various main characters in The Scarlet Letter. This is why I see the central theme in the book as being able to move on with ones life. The most prominent instance of this is seen with the story’s protagonist, Hester Prynne. Right from the start of the book, Hester is accused of committing adultery. After this, she is isolated and seen as an outcast by the members of Boston. Her life continues on like this for many years. Even with all of this, Hester moves on. She starts sewing and being a seamstress again and helps people within the town. Hester was able to move past her discriminations and live on with her life. She had the chance to run away, but she continued to live in Boston until her death. Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale is also a good example. He is the man who committed adultery with Hester, but this is never known to anyone until the end of the book. Throughout the entire story, Dimmesdale lives with the grief and secret that it is his fault. He is unable to move on and account for his actions. Finally, at the end of the book, Dimmesdale publicly reveals his sin and is able to move on. He then dies in Hester’s arms, a cleansed man. The final example of the story’s theme is Roger Chillingworth, Hester’s true husband. He comes to Boston searching for his wife, when he learns that she has been branded an adulteress. He makes it his goal to seek revenge on the man who wronged him. His need for revenge consumes him and takes control over his life. He is the one character who is never able to move on. He discovers that Hester’s

6. Theme secret lover is Dimmesdale, and he makes it a point to torture and ruin this man’s life. Even after Dimmesdale’s death, Roger has to prove himself better. He does this by giving all his fortune to Pearl, Arthur and Hester’s daughter. This, to Chillingworth, proves that he is a better father to Pearl than Dimmesdale ever was. This theme of moving on is a good way for everyone to live. There is no reason for a person to live with a grudge or a worry all their life. This is a good message given in The ScarletLetter and should be followed by everybody.

7. Personal Reflection The Scarlet Letter is a slow moving novel that, if I was given the choice, would not read over again. It was a good book and I liked the plot and premise, but it was not a book I could fully relate to. But, if I had to relate to anyone, it would be Dimmesdale. Sometimes people make the wrong choices, and not on purpose. An even harder thing to do is to come out, and turn yourself in. I understand this and how difficult it can be. I have learned from this story though. I learned revenge is never the right decision. Violence gets people no where. I also learned to keep my head high and to be determined, even in the hardest situations. If I had to recommend this novel, I would recommend it to select group of people. People who either enjoy old style American novels, a good suspenseful love story, or a book full of moral themes of right and wrong. This was still a good book and I enjoyed reading it.