The Scarlet Letter
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
A Puritan Age Novel Written in the Age
of Romanticism - 1850
First Novel: Age of Romanticism
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Published in 1850 – as America was transitioning from the Age of
Enlightenment into the Age of Romanticism
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Genre in which writer can work in junction between actual and imaginary
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A highly stylized symbolic fable
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Interior psychological explorations
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Lauded for “initiating a distinctive American literary tradition” (Telgen 1).
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Psychological Exploration
Literary Symbolism
Historical Interpretation
Structure and Setting
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Allegorical—people and symbols represent
universal ideas and truths
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Boston, Massachusetts Bay Colony
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1642-1649
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Isolated, remote Puritan town
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Theistic and patriarchal society
Historical Background
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Massachusetts Bay Colony founded by John
Winthrop in 1630
First generation Puritans
Ann Hutchison
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Hutchinson challenged all hierarchical systems, a vocal woman,
suggesting individuals could receive revelations directly from God
encouraged good deeds for good deeds sake, not for selfpreservation or salvation
Rejected laws requiring people to attend church, to observe a
day of rest on the Sabbath, to attend sermons and the ministers'
lectures
Scaffold
Theistic Society – 17th Century Beliefs
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God’s Chosen People
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Public punishment to
preserve community
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America was the New
Eden
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Predestination
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Outward behavior
showed state of grace
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Dealt harshly with
dissenters
“Custom House”- Introductory Essay
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3 Fold Purpose of “The Custom House”
1.
Criticizes the boredom and vacuity of the job
and the men that worked there
2.
Recalls his attachment to Salem and his
Puritan ancestors
3.
Where he found the “A” and the documents
recalling Hester’s story
But wait, there’s more…Authenticity and book length
Motifs developing into Themes
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Truth and Lying – When? Why?
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Individual and society- What dynamics are there?
What are their results?
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Sin- What is it? Who defines it?
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Penance vs. Penitence
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Revenge- Yeah or Nay?
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Pride- What are its positives? What are its negatives?
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Love vs. Hate- How are they different? How are they
the same?
Other Areas of Focus…
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Freudian and/or Jungian Psychology
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Use of and purpose of Irony
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Symbolism – Nature, Plants, Light, Names
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Contrasts
Rate for Moral Turpitude
Rate each item listed below for its moral turpitude, 1 being the most egregious
offense and 6 being the least egregious offense. Then, write an explanation of
why two of the six items received that particular rating from you.
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Revenge
Lying to a friend
Lying to a stranger
Adultery
Refusing to take responsibility for wrong-doing
Judging Others