http://www.flickr.com/photos/boston_public_library/

1. http://www.flickr.com/photos/boston_public_library/

2. What’s in a name? Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on July 4th, 1804, in Salem, Massachusetts. Hawthorne was the son of Elizabeth Clarke Manning and Nathaniel Hathorne. Hathorne was a Captain in the U. S. Navy. He died when his son was four years old. He left behind Elizabeth, Nathaniel, and two sisters. Hawthorne’s ancestors were some of the first Puritans to settle in the New England area. His great grandfather was one of the judges in the Salem Witch trails. http://www.flickr.com/photos/nostri-imago Though Hawthorne added the W to his name, it is unclear why. It could have been to go back to the ancient spelling. Many believe, however, it was because of the guilt he felt over his family’s involvement in the Salem witch trials. 1 1 www.hawthorneinsalem.org/ScholarsForum/MMD1114.html

3. The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 Between June and September of 1692, 19 people, both men and women, were taken to the gallows for witchcraft. One man was pressed to death between heavy stones because he would not confess to the crime. He was over 80 years old. Dozens of others were accused and kept in prison without trial until the hysteria ended. All the tragedy began with the mysterious illness of one child. By Bowtoo http://www.flickr.com/photos/bowtoo/

4. Setting 17th Century 1642-1649 Massachusetts Bay Colony (Later Boston) Puritan – “Pure” A strict legalistic religion. Puritans believe that good works are important because of predestination; the belief that everyone is ‘pre-determined’ to go to heaven or hell. They, however, don’t know which category they fall in, thus the need for good works. They also believe evil has to be punished, and every evil work is of the devil. http://www.flickr.com/photos/archer10/

5. The Scarlet Letter - Characters HesterPrynne –Protagonist Hester struggles to live a new life of repentance and dignity after her affair. She transforms her life, even though she lives in isolation. Pearl – Hester and Dimmesdale’s daughter Arthur Dimmesdale – Reverend who commits adultery with Hester. Although Hester must live in isolation and wear an “A” publically, Dimmesdale torments himself secretly. He is in more captivity by keeping the dark secret. The guilt ultimately kills him. Roger Chillingworth - Antagonist He is Hester’s husband, but changes his name and makes her vow not to reveal his true identity. He lives to find Pearl’s father, and increasingly sinks into evil, tormenting Dimmesdale to his death. Governor Bellingham – Considers taking Pearl from Hester, but Dimmesdale sways his opinion. Ironically, his sister, the widow Hibbins, is a witch. Reverend Mr. John Wilson – Strict preacher that emphasizes punishment of sin, Hell and damnation; the opposite of Dimmesdale’s message. He can be swayed by Dimmesdale’s opinion.

6. Plot TriangleScarlet Letter Summary Introduction: Custom House – Finding the letter –Moonlight – unreliable narrator Written to act like a true event, but in the moonlight, we know it isn’t actually true. Scarlet Letter – Setting 17th century Massachusetts Bay Colony (later Boston). Puritan settlement = law and religion are always connected.

7. Plot TriangleScarlet Letter Summary Conflict- Daylight – Hester is on the scaffold, guilty of adultery, even though her husband was assumed to be lost at sea. She now has a child. She will not confess who the baby’s father is, even though he (Reverend Dimmesdale) is questioning her. She sees her husband in the crowd and he demands to know who the father is, vowing revenge. Hester is forced to wear the red “A” for adultery. http://www.flickr.com/photos/43344526@N08/

8. Plot Triangle Scarlet Letter Summary Complication – Dimmesdale’s health has taken a knock. Chillingworth – the fake name Hester’s husband took on, is a doctor. He moves in with Dimmesdale and begins to suspect the reverend is the father of Hester’s daughter, Pearl. One night, while Dimmesdale is sleeping, Chillingworth looks under his shirt and sees what we assume to be an A. (Night-Darkness- Chillingworth is evil) http://www.flickr.com/photos/shironekoeuro/

9. Plot TriangleScarlet Letter Summary Rising Action – Moonlight/ Secretive Dimmesdale goes to the scaffold at night and sees Hester and Pearl. He asks them join him. He admits his guilt, but still can’t do so publically. They see a meteor in the shape of an ‘A’ and Pearl sees a shadowy figure (Chillingworth). Dimmesdale looks bad. His health has been deteriorating for years because he is held captive by his secret guilt. http://www.flickr.com/photos/decade_null/

10. Plot Triangle Scarlet Letter Summary Climax – Hester and Dimmesdale plan to run away together, but the plans fall apart. Dimmesdale knows he is dying. Hester finds out Chillingworth has booked a ticket with her and Dimmesdale on the boat. After the best sermon of his life, Dimmesdale makes his way to the scaffold. With Hester present, he publically announces his sin, shows his A, and dies in her arms.

11. Plot TriangleScarlet Letter Summary Denouement – Chillingworth dies, but is appeased by the confession, so he leaves his money to Pearl. This allows Hester and Pearl to escape back to the old world for a time. When Hester returns, she once again wears her ‘A’ voluntarily, but the meaning has changed to ‘able’ in the minds of the villagers. She is buried near Dimmesdale. "On a field, sable, the letter A gules.“ is the inscription on the tombstone.

12. Symbols/Archetypes – The Scarlet Letter – Static symbols Light/ Dark and the color Grey – Good and evil – Truth and deceit Pearl/Hester’s Daughter – Sin, passion, the letter ‘A’ embodied. Forest- Freedom, witchcraft Dimmesdale – Dimness, weakness Chillingworth- Cold, evil Prynne – Rhymes with sin Rose and Prison Door – Prison door = Punishment/Rose - Represents grace

13. Symbols/Archetypes – The Scarlet Letter – Dynamic symbols Scaffold – Punishment, then ultimately redemption The Letter A and color Red – Adultery, then Able/Angel Hester – Scarlet woman turned solace and counsel for other women.

14. Themes/ Motifs Sin, the knowledge of good vs. evil, and the human condition The nature of evil. Who or what is evil? Identity verses society. Hester embraces her punishment, embroidering the A herself. Dimmesdale, however, can’t confess to it publically. Daytime /Light – Truth and social acceptability verses Moonlight/Darkness-Secretive/deceptive Civilization – Where the ‘righteous’ live verses Wilderness – Hester lives in the forest with Pearl. Forest represents freedom, but also darkness, witchcraft, etc.