English 11, Honors
2013-2014 Critical Paper Topics
Following the conclusion of our reading of Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, you will craft a
critical research paper analyzing Hawthorne's work. While you read, be sure to revisit
these topics regularly and examine the novel through the lens of these topics. Track your
findings and key passages that connect with these topics.
1. Human Nature: Beautiful and Beastly - Undoubtedly, Hawthorne's works are dark; The
Scarlet Letter is a tale of “human frailty and sorrow” (Hawthorne 2). It is apparent that
Hawthorne deems human nature as possessing a great capacity for evil. However, in one of his
notebooks, Hawthorne writes “These are the depths of the heart, or of human nature, bright and
peaceful; the gloom and terror may lie deep; but deeper still is this eternal beauty” (The Scarlet
Letter: Connections 255). Examine The Scarlet Letter as a novel that evinces deep human beauty
beneath a surface of darkness.
2. Setting: The Silent Character - Living in Salem, Hawthorne was influenced by his
environment, both the history of the town and the role his ancestors played within that history.
Similarly, the setting within his works figures prominently in the lives of its characters, almost
becoming a character itself. Examine how Hawthorne's use of setting is effective in
complementing the characters, conflicts, and themes of The Scarlet Letter.
3. A Reader's Perspective - Evaluating Characters: There are multiple views a reader can
have of the central characters in Hawthorne's novel. Is Dimmesdale pitied by the reader? Should
he be pitied by the reader? (OR) Is Hester pitied by the reader? Should she be pitied by the
reader? When and why? Why not?
4. Would you define The Scarlet Letter as a Transcendentalist novel (one that reflects the
ideas of Emerson and Thoreau)? How do you specifically see Hawthorne's novel as being
influenced by Transcendentalism? Are there aspects of the novel that seem to be a refutation of
Transcendentalism?
English 11, 6.0 - Critical Paper Topic Exploration
GROUP PRESENTATION
Your presentation must include all of the following components and must be presented with a
clear visual presentation (powerpoint, etc.) More than one group will present on a topic in order
to allow for a more thorough examination of each topic.
Topic: __________________________________________________________
1. Which character(s) are most important for this topic?
2. What themes are related to this topic?
3. In your own words, explain what you would be examining in this topic? What would you be
setting out to prove?
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4. Condense your response to #3 in more direct "angle" - a working thesis.
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5. Provide 5 direct quotes from the text that will likely be an important part of this paper topic.
Include page and chapter numbers and be able to explain how the quote will work in to this
topic.
* Quote 1:
* Quote 2:
* Quote 3:
* Quote 4:
* Quote 5: