Ms. Wake 2014
The Rise of American Individualism in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter during the American
Romantic and Transcendentalist Period
Extended Reading Guide and Unit Plan
AP Literature and Composition
Unit Writing Requirements:
 Literature Circles at least once per week (NB)
 Chapter Journaling between Literature Circles (NB)*
 Three Q2-Style Timed-Writes (Tuesdays, in class)**
 Revise ONE of these and type as a MLA-format, process-based essay due by ______(earlier is encouraged)***
 Critique the critics (summary, analysis and evaluation of a critic’s interpretation of the work)
 Final Q3 Essay in class with Unit Exam. Revision due by _______
*Journal entries are to be approximately 1-2 pages in length, and should always cite specific examples from the text,
most often direct quotes. When 2 reflections are listed under HW, students choose only one to write on.
**Notebooks will be collected and graded every Monday or Tuesday
***“Notes on Writing” in response to timed-writes will be given every Wednesday to help with essay revisions;
students are encouraged to make an appointment with Ms. Wake to conference before writing the revision
Reading Schedule and Chapter Essential Questions and Foci
Chapter and HW
Reading
Due Dates
Introduction
The Scarlet Letter:
The
Americanization
of Fiction
September
12th
Literary Techniques and EQ’s for Close Reading and Lit.
Circles, and Reflective Journal Questions
What are the characteristics of Romanticism and
Transcendentalism in America?
What is American Individualism?
Why was Hawthorne compelled to write a romance about a
Puritan society, which predated him by over 200 years?
What was Hawthorne’s attitude toward the Puritan way of
life?
How did the tragedy of the Salem Witch Trials inform this
work?
Vocabulary and
New Literary
Terms
American
Romanticism,
Transcendentalism,
and individualism
Gothic
Utopia
Puritan legalism
Supplementary
text(s)
“Sinners in the
Hands of an Angry
God” –Jonathon
Edwards
Optional: The
Crucible film is
available to all
students on Ms.
Wake’s Amazon
account for free.
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Ms. Wake 2014
The Rise of American Individualism in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter during the American
Romantic and Transcendentalist Period
Extended Reading Guide and Unit Plan
AP Literature and Composition
Chapter One
Syntax: The first paragraph is one sentence. What is the effect
“The Prison Door” of this opening on the reader?
Setting and atmosphere: note how Hawthorne establishes
September 16th
mood with a detailed description of the nameless people, the
edifice, the door.
Symbolism: the door; the rosebush
Emerging Motifs: the color red; images of Nature
Diction: note the words with which Hawthorne describes the
new colony. How do they subtly characterize the people, the
town?
Foreshadowing: How do diction and imagery inform what is
to come in the reading?
Allusion: What might be the significance of the historical
allusion on p. 2? What is the author’s attitude towards this
historical figure? What might this suggest about his views and
how might this affect Hawthorne’s underlying message in the
text?
Emerging Themes: how does Hawthorne introduce a major
theme in this first chapter?
Journal Reflection: Note how Hawthorne discusses the
setting of the prison alongside the description of the
cemetery. Why would he juxtapose these two ideas side-byside? What might be his purpose in doing so?
Likewise, he juxtaposes the prison next to the wild rosebush.
Again, what is the effect of this placement?
Extension activity: illustration of the prison door and the
rosebush juxtaposed on one single image. Pair with a relevant
quote.
Sepulcher
Ponderous
Congenial
Inauspicious
Frailty
HTRLLAP “Is That
A Symbol?”
Motif: any recurring
element that has
symbolic significance
in a story. Through its
repetition, a motif can
help produce other
narrative (or literary)
aspects such as
theme or mood
Historical
allusions
Juxtaposition: The
placement of two or
more ideas,
characters, actions,
settings, or words
side-by-side for the
purpose of
comparison,
contrast, suspense,
or character
development.
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Ms. Wake 2014
The Rise of American Individualism in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter during the American
Romantic and Transcendentalist Period
Extended Reading Guide and Unit Plan
AP Literature and Composition
Chapter Two:
“The Market
Place”
September 18th
Chapter 3 “The
Recognition” and
Chapter 4 “The
Interview”
September 24th
Allusion: “The man-like Elizabeth”; “the image of Divine
Maternity”
Characterization: Hester Prynne; the crowd (note diction)
Symbols: the scaffold, the scarlet letter,
Selection of Detail:
 Hester’s attire
 The mysterious man in the crowd
Journal Reflection: Some critics interpret The Scarlet Letter
as a proto-feminist novel, others say it is an indictment of the
female gender. We are introduced in Chapter 2 to Hester
Prynne—an individual—and to the other Puritan women of
Boston. Based upon Hawthorne’s description of them in
this chapter, how do you feel he represents, or views,
women as this novel begins?
Narrative Voice: “From this intense consciousness… the
wearer od the scarlet letter…” Why does the narrator speak of
her this way instead of using her name?
Tone: What is the narrator’s attitude towards Hester? How
do you know?
Connections to When She Woke (irony)
Characterization: magistrates; Dimmesdale; Hester as a
mother; the physician (Chillingsworth)—why would
Hawthorne make him misshapen?
Puritan values: make connections to what we have learned
about the Puritan people
Motif: “The Black Man”; the forest
Emerging themes: forms of Justice and Punishment
(consider how justice in this society compares with the means
Augured
Indubitably
Venerable
Transgressor
Solemn
Scornful
Infamy
Malefactress
Dismal
Abashed
Haughty
Ignominy
Visage
Iniquity
Remonstrance
Sojourn (Ch. 3)
Iniquity (Ch. 3)
Sagacity(Ch. 3)
Tremulous (Ch. 3)
Fervor(Ch. 3)
Somber (Ch. 3)
Amenable (Ch. 4)
Peremptory (Ch. 4)
Feminist Literary
Theory: “Sarah
Pierrepont” and “To
My Dear and Loving
Husband”
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Ms. Wake 2014
The Rise of American Individualism in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter during the American
Romantic and Transcendentalist Period
Extended Reading Guide and Unit Plan
AP Literature and Composition
of justice and punishment in When She Woke); Vengeance;
Secrets
Journal Reflection (Ch. 3): In contrast to Chapter Two, we
now are introduced to the men of Boston, including Mister
Wilson and Reverend Dimmesdale, as well as a mysterious
stranger on the outskirts of the crowd. Based upon these
initial portrayals of the men, what are your impressions of
them (intellectually, emotionally)? How does their
depiction differ from that of the women?
Chapter 5
“Hester at her
Needle”
September 24
(in-class)
Chapter 6 “Pearl”
September 26th
CLOSE READING
Journal Reflection (Ch. 4): Discuss the complex relationship
between Hester Prynne and Roger Chillingsworth as well as
their individual characters. How do you perceive their
apparent motivations, philosophies of justice and
individual desires?
Allusion: Cain
Journal Reflection: How does Hawthorne portray
needlework and sewing as a craft? How does this chapter
connect with the portrayal of embroidery in When She Woke?
Symbolism: Pearl
Theme: seclusion
Grammar: “Yet Hester was hardly safe in confiding herself to
that gusty tenderness: it passed as suddenly as it came.” (26)
–colon use
Journal Reflection: There are several forms of irony at play
in this chapter regarding Pearl. Where and how do these
Vivify
The Story Bible:
Progenitor
Cain and Abel,
Commiseration
Pearl S. Buck
Inscrutable
Infamy
Imbibed
Despondency, Mutability, Inscrutable,
Gesticulation, Enmity, Imbued,
Verbal Irony: This is the contrast between what is
said and what is meant. In other words, sarcasm.
Dramatic Irony: The contrast between what the
character thinks to be true and what we know to be
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Ms. Wake 2014
The Rise of American Individualism in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter during the American
Romantic and Transcendentalist Period
Extended Reading Guide and Unit Plan
AP Literature and Composition
forms appear and what is their effect?
true, so we read to discover how the character will
react when he or she learns the truth.
Situational Irony: The contrast between what
happens and what was expected (or what would
seem appropriate). (The most common irony in
literature.)
Chapter 7 “The
Governor’s Hall”
September 26th
CLOSE READING
Characterization: Pearl, p. 32
Journal Reflection: We have now jumped to a point in the
novel, which indicates some point in the future. What clues
does Hawthorne offer in Chapter 7 as to what may have
transpired in the years that have passed? Why, in your
estimation, did he choose to make this leap in time?
Chapters 8 “The
Elf-Child and the
Minister” and 9
“The Leech”
Allusion: John the Baptist; Babylon; implicit allusion to the
Salem witch trials
Foils: Dimmesdale and Chillingsworth
Diction: “elf-child”
Symbolism: DImmesdale’s health afflictions (illness)
How is the title a double entendre?
Ch. 8 September
30th
Ch. 9 October 2nd Journal Reflection Ch. 8: Why do the men want to take Pearl
away from Hester? What is their reasoning? Discuss and
comment upon Dimmesdale’s behavior in this situation.
Finally, compare the motivations for removing Pearl from
Hester to the reasons we take children away from their
parents in our society today.
Journal Reflection Ch. 9: From character’s names, to actions,
to facial expressions, this chapter is full of symbolic details.
Choose a symbol or a metaphor, which you observed in the
Eminence
Intrinsic
Imperious
Caprice
Urchin
Exigency
Relinquish
Expatiating (Ch. 8)
Benevolence (Ch.
8)
Emaciated (Ch. 8)
Depravity (Ch. 8)
Boon (Ch. 8)
Vehemence (Ch. 8)
Unobtrusive (Ch. 8)
Appellation (Ch. 9)
Countenance (Ch.
9)
Propound (Ch. 9)
Emissary (Ch. 9)
Infirmity (Ch. 9)
HTRLLAP “It’s
Never Just Heart
Disease” pp.207210
Double Entendre:
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Ms. Wake 2014
The Rise of American Individualism in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter during the American
Romantic and Transcendentalist Period
Extended Reading Guide and Unit Plan
AP Literature and Composition
chapter, and explicate how you interpret its meaning and
significance.
a figure of speech
in which a spoken
phrase is devised
to be understood
in either of two
ways
In-class
Timed-Write:
Thesis writing
September 30th
Chapter 10 “The
Leech and His
Patient”
October 2nd (inclass)
Q2-Style prompt with text taken from Chapters 1-6. Analyze prompt; read and annotate text; write a thesis
in 15 minutes. Worth 20 essay points. Be on-time to class!
Make-up for absences: Advisory on Wednesday, October 1st
3=C-; 4=C+/B-; 5=B+/A-; 6=A+
Allusion: Isaac Johnson (50)
Abasement (Ch. 10)
Journal Reflection: A major purpose of this chapter is
characterization. Choose to focus on either Hester, Pearl,
Chillingworth or Dimmesdale and to explore the character’s
change in chapter 10. What does Hawthorne illuminate their
true characters in this chapter, and how does he do it?
Chapters 11 “The
Interior of his
Heart” and 12
“The Minister’s
Vigil” (summary
plus text pp. 6164)
October 6th
Tone: What is the narrator’s attitude towards Dimmesdale in
Chapter 11?
Journal Reflection Ch. 11: A major theme in both The
Scarlett Letter and our course is the difference between
perception and reality. Reflect upon how the interior truths
of major characters are often different than their exterior
appearances. Be certain to discuss specific characters.
Journal Reflection Ch. 12: The scaffold in the center of
Boston’s town square serves both a literal and a figurative
Decorously (Ch. 11)
Odious (Ch. 11)
Scourge (Ch. 11)
Machination (Ch.
11)
Impalpable (Ch. 11)
Vigil (Ch. 12)
Defunct (Ch. 12)
Scurrilous (Ch. 12)
Malevolence (Ch.
12)
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Ms. Wake 2014
The Rise of American Individualism in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter during the American
Romantic and Transcendentalist Period
Extended Reading Guide and Unit Plan
AP Literature and Composition
Chapter 13
“Another View of
Hester”
October 8th
Chapter 14
“Hester and the
Physician”
Close read in
class on October
8th
purpose. While it is there for punishment and is a historically
accurate detail, it is also a tangible symbol. Based on
Hawthorne’s description of it in Chapter 12, what symbolic
connotations does it seem to be emitting or developing?
Allusion: Cain and Abel; Ann Hutchinson
Symbol: How has the symbol of the A changed in the eyes of
the people over time? What caused that change?
Feminist Theory: What is Hawthorne saying about women
on p.68? How would a Feminist critic view this?
Themes: What is Hawthorne suggesting about human
nature, morality, and sin?; Redemption
Journal Reflection: How does Hester prove herself to be a
dynamic character in Chapter 13? In your reflection, cite
evidence not only from this chapter, but from previous
chapters as well to demonstrate her change over time.
Semblance
Obviate
Ethereal
Acquiesce
Dynamic
Character: one
that evolves
emotionally or
intellectually over
the course of the
plot.
Static Character: a
character that does
not grow or change
over the course of a
story.
Theme: Vengeance: how has seeking vengeance affected
Propinquity
Chillingsworth? What is Hawthornes attitude toward
Retribution
Chillingsworth, and how do you know? What implicit message Behest
is he conveying through this character?
Anti-hero: a
Anaphora p. 71
protagonist that
NOTE PAGE 73
possesses the
Journal Reflection: “Good guys” and “bad guys” are not very opposite
easily discerned in high-level literature. For example, anticharacteristics of
heroes often gain the sympathies of the reader (and the
what one would
Echo and Narcissus
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Ms. Wake 2014
The Rise of American Individualism in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter during the American
Romantic and Transcendentalist Period
Extended Reading Guide and Unit Plan
AP Literature and Composition
Chapters 15
“Hester and
Pearl” and
Chapter 16 “A
Forest Walk”
October 10th
author), despite their character flaws. In this chapter
Hawthorne created the opportunity for us to gauge our
sympathies for the key players of the novel. Based upon their
interactions in this chapter, with whom do you find yourself
sympathizing most at this point in the novel? Discuss.
Rhetorical style (early Ch. 15)
Symbolism: The sunshine; the Black Man; the forest
Theme: Pay attention to Pearl’s Questions
Journal Reflection (Ch. 15): Young Pearl serves two
purposes in the novel: 1.) an independent character 2.) a
narrative mechanism to eliciting a response from her mother
(thus giving the reader more info about Hester). In your
opinion, is Pearl to be analyzed as other important characters
like Dimmesdale or Chillingsworth, or is she to be read as a
symbol, functioning mainly to communicate theme? You can
justify your response with evidence from anywhere in the
novel, not just chapter 15.
expect of a
traditional hero
Verdure (Ch. 15)
Petulant (Ch. 15)
Precocity (Ch. 15)
Beneficence (Ch.
15)
Vivacity (Ch. 15)
Loquacity (Ch. 16)
Lamentation (Ch.
16)
Scintillate (Ch. 16)
Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus
said, "I praise you,
Father, Lord of
heaven and earth,
because you have
hidden these things
from the wise and
learned, and
revealed them to
little children.
Matthew 21:16 –
“And said unto him,
Hearest thou what
Journal Reflection (Ch. 16): The wild forest and the civilized
city are two settings Hawthorne deliberately juxtaposes for
the effect of their important contrast. What does this
juxtaposition suggest about the function of these two
settings? What do they represent in the world of The Scarlet
Letter?
these say? And Jesus
saith unto them, Yea;
have ye never read,
Out of the mouth of
babes and sucklings
thou hast ordained
strength?”
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Ms. Wake 2014
The Rise of American Individualism in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter during the American
Romantic and Transcendentalist Period
Extended Reading Guide and Unit Plan
AP Literature and Composition
Chapters 17 “The
Pastor and His
Parishioner”
And Chapter 18
“A Flood of
Sunshine.”
October 14th
Analogy p. 82
Symbolism: the title of Ch. 18—sunshine
The flowers that Pearl collects
Theme: ponder the representation of Hester and Arthur’s
love and how does it relate to Hannah and Aiden?
Journal Reflection (Ch. 17): Hester and Dimmesdale both
assess the value and result of Dimmesdale’s life, choices, and
effect on the community, but they come to very different
conclusions. With whom, do you think, Hawthorne wants us
to concur? That is, how does Hawthorne want us to view
Dimmesdale? Support your thoughts with evidence.
Journal Reflection (Ch. 18): This chapter is entitled “A Flood
of Sunshine.” In what ways does Hawthorne make figurative
use of light/dark imagery in Chapter 18? Cite specific
examples.
In-class
Timed-Write:
Thesis writing
October 14th
Contiguity (Ch. 17)
Misanthropy (Ch.
17)
Consecration(Ch.
17)
Estrange (Ch. 18)
Colloquy (Ch. 18)
Subjugate (Ch. 18)
Denizen (Ch. 18)
Analogy- a
Research on
violets, anemones,
columbines
comparison in which the
subject (situation) is
compared point by point
to something far
different, usually with
the idea of clarifying the
subject (or situation) by
comparing it to
something familiar.
Q2-Style prompt with text taken from Chapters 1-6. Analyze prompt; read and annotate text; write a
thesis in 15 minutes. Worth 20 essay points. Be on-time to class!
Make-up for absences: Advisory on Wednesday, October 15th
3=C-; 4=C+/B-; 5=B+/A-; 6=A+
9
Ms. Wake 2014
The Rise of American Individualism in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter during the American
Romantic and Transcendentalist Period
Extended Reading Guide and Unit Plan
AP Literature and Composition
Chapter 19 “A
Child at The
Brookside”
October 16th
Chapter 20 “The
Minister in a
Maze”
Tone: page 95
Journal Reflection: What is the symbolic importance of the
brook? How might that significance be slightly different in
what it means to Pearl, to Hester, and to the reader? How
does its meaning relate to theme?
Journal Reflection: How does Dimmesdale’s perspective
seem somehow changed at the beginning of this chapter?
What causes this change and how does it contribute to
Dimmesdale as a dynamic character?
Accost
Mollified
Preternatural
Gesticulate
Journal Reflection: The crowd gathered in Chapter 22 recalls
the same situation we encounter when Hester is brought
before the crowd at the beginning of the book. How has this
mass of people changed since the earlier gathering? What do
you think Hawthorne is trying to show us here?
Effervesce (Ch. 21)
Probity (Ch. 21)
Tempestuous(Ch.
21)
Gradation (Ch. 22)
Indefatigable(Ch.
22)
Unscrupulous (Ch.
22)
Surmise (Ch. 22)
Journal Reflection: The major conflicts of the novel come to
a resolution between these two chapters. In your opinion,
who has “lost” and who has “won” (if anyone at all)? Why do
you think Hawthorne chose the specific fates for each of his
characters? What do those fates suggest about the messages
he was hoping to convey to his readers?
Transitory (Ch. 23)
Intimation (Ch. 23)
Conjectural (Ch. 24)
Portent (Ch. 24)
Bequeathed (Ch. 24)
Recluse (Ch. 24)
October 16th
Chapters 21”The
New England
Holiday” and
Chapter 22 “The
Procession”
October 22nd
Chapters 23 “The
Revelation of the
Scarlet Letter”
and Chapter 24
“Conclusion”
October 22nd
Vicissitude
Obeisance
Potentate
Gratuitous
Requite
Comport
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Ms. Wake 2014
The Rise of American Individualism in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter during the American
Romantic and Transcendentalist Period
Extended Reading Guide and Unit Plan
AP Literature and Composition
Final Class
Discussion:
October 22nd!!!
Final Unit Exam
October 24th
Feedback: Super
Saturday
October 25th
Essay Revision
due November
3rd
Fishbowl seminar (graded)
Socratic Discussion (possible prompt analyses)
See study guide for Parts I (MC) and II (short answer)
Part III: AP-style Q3 Timed essay (This part is now an essay grade)
3=C-; 4=C/C+; 5=B/B+; 6= A-/A; 7+=OMG!!! 
Notes on Writing, Rubric, Begin Revisions.
Type. MLA Format; see rubric
As always, this essay is worth twice the amount of points as the timed write.
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