The Scarlet Letter
By: Cameron Peters
Nathaniel Hawthorne
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Birth: July 4, 1804.
Where: Salem, Massachusetts, USA
Death: May 19, 1864
Where: Plymouth. New Hampshire
Education: Bowdoin College
Spouse: Sophia Amelia Peabody Hawthorne
Children: Julian Hawthorne, Mary Alphonsa, Una
Hawthorne
Historical Background
 Puritan Society
 The Puritans were a religious minority group who believed
that the Church of England needed to be purified.
 In 1630 a small group of these Puritans migrated to the New
World and settled in Salem, Massachusetts.
Author’s techniques
 Since the art of photographs in novels was not available
Hawthorne uses long descriptive scenes to give his reader a
visual.
 Hawthorne introduced modern ideas of psychology in his
usage of allegory and symbolism
 Hawthorne focused more on the inner struggle of a character
rather than the external confrontation between characters.
Key Literary Devices
 The Prison Door-”Heavily timbered with oak, and studded
with Iron spikes”
 Hawthorne's use of imagery allows the reader to gain a vivid
image of the door and what it symbolizes.
Character Analysis
 Hester- Main Character, goes through many trials including a
public shunning about her accused adultery. Demonstrates loyalty
to not tell the father of her daughter pearl even to save herself.
 Roger Chillingworth- Husband of Hester. The villain, sates he is
looking for justice but twist his morels to nothing but revenge.
His name characterizes his role and attitude throughout the novel.
 Arthur Dimmesdale- Pastor and high raking society official,
Hester's lover and father of her daughter Pearl. Remorseful
character places a scarlet “A” permanently on his chest for his
crimes of adultery.
 Pearl- Sign of purity and goodness, Pearl is a young girl and sees
everything as good in the world even in the darkest of moments.
Video Clip
 http://wn.com/the_scarlet_letter_(1995_film)