The Scarlet LetterThe Scarlet Letter

By Nathaniel HawthorneBy Nathaniel Hawthorne

Written in 1849-1850Written in 1849-1850

Historical BackgroundHistorical Background Due to the brutal reality of existence Due to the brutal reality of existence

in the New World, Puritans believed in the New World, Puritans believed that life was filled with endless toil that life was filled with endless toil and heartbreak. Indian attacks, and heartbreak. Indian attacks, virulent diseases, and harsh weather virulent diseases, and harsh weather served to harden their hearts still served to harden their hearts still further. Ironically although they had further. Ironically although they had set sail seeking freedom from set sail seeking freedom from religious persecution, they came to be religious persecution, they came to be as rigid, humorless, and judgmental as rigid, humorless, and judgmental as their persecutors in England.as their persecutors in England.

Historical Background cont.Historical Background cont. It was their self-righteousness, It was their self-righteousness,

intolerance and narrow-minded bigotry intolerance and narrow-minded bigotry that interested Hawthorne, himself a that interested Hawthorne, himself a descendant of stern Puritans. descendant of stern Puritans. Hawthorne explored the Puritan ideas Hawthorne explored the Puritan ideas of self-discipline, obsession with of self-discipline, obsession with introspection, sin, and guilt – to learn introspection, sin, and guilt – to learn about the inner recesses of the human about the inner recesses of the human heart. The world was a setting for the heart. The world was a setting for the great drama of humans in relation to great drama of humans in relation to God and Satan, heaven and hell with God and Satan, heaven and hell with the fate of each person’s soul at stake.the fate of each person’s soul at stake.

Historical Background cont.Historical Background cont. The harshness of the religion suited the The harshness of the religion suited the

harshness of daily life, which was harshness of daily life, which was reflected in the severity of the law. Many reflected in the severity of the law. Many transgressions, including adultery, transgressions, including adultery, murder, witchcraft, kidnapping, and murder, witchcraft, kidnapping, and heresy, were capital crimes punishable heresy, were capital crimes punishable by death. Many were unwilling to bring by death. Many were unwilling to bring the death penalty because of their belief the death penalty because of their belief in the sanctity of life. As a result, many in the sanctity of life. As a result, many were forced to wear a letter like Hester, were forced to wear a letter like Hester, such as M for murder or B for such as M for murder or B for blasphemy.blasphemy.

Key Characters-Hester Key Characters-Hester PrynnePrynne

Committed adultery with Rev. Arthur Committed adultery with Rev. Arthur Dimmesdale, resulting in the birth of Dimmesdale, resulting in the birth of their daughter Pearltheir daughter Pearl

Must wear the scarlet letter as a Must wear the scarlet letter as a symbol of her crimesymbol of her crime

Believes what she and Dimmesdale Believes what she and Dimmesdale did had a “consecration of its own”did had a “consecration of its own”

Strong, brave, and independent with Strong, brave, and independent with an element of “wildness” in her naturean element of “wildness” in her nature

Hester Prynne cont.Hester Prynne cont.

Supports herself and her daughter by Supports herself and her daughter by doing elegant needleworkdoing elegant needlework

By the end of the novel she is much By the end of the novel she is much loved for her charity work and good loved for her charity work and good deedsdeeds

Retains her self-respect to survive Retains her self-respect to survive with dignity and gracewith dignity and grace

Key Character – PearlKey Character – Pearl

Is willful and stubbornIs willful and stubborn Is described as “an imp of evil, an Is described as “an imp of evil, an

emblem and product of sin.”emblem and product of sin.” Seems more an “airy spirit” than a Seems more an “airy spirit” than a

human childhuman child After showing remorse for the bird After showing remorse for the bird

she injured, she is at home in nature, she injured, she is at home in nature, able to charm birds and beasts alike.able to charm birds and beasts alike.

Is beautiful and gracefulIs beautiful and graceful

Key Character – Roger Key Character – Roger ChillingworthChillingworth

Is Hester’s husband, a learned physician Is Hester’s husband, a learned physician who spent all of his time studyingwho spent all of his time studying

Takes the name “Chillingworth” to keep Takes the name “Chillingworth” to keep his true identity a secrethis true identity a secret

Is misshapen and older than Hester; Is misshapen and older than Hester; initially he is kind and gentleinitially he is kind and gentle

Married Hester when she was quite Married Hester when she was quite young in order to warm his cold natureyoung in order to warm his cold nature

Chillingworth cont.Chillingworth cont.

Does not blame Hester for her sin, but Does not blame Hester for her sin, but he is determined to find and punish he is determined to find and punish her loverher lover

Subtly tortures Dimmesdale to seek Subtly tortures Dimmesdale to seek revengerevenge

Commits the worst sin by violating, “in Commits the worst sin by violating, “in cold blood, the sanctity of the human cold blood, the sanctity of the human heart.”heart.”

Gradually destroys himself in his lust Gradually destroys himself in his lust for revengefor revenge

Key Character – Arthur Key Character – Arthur DimmesdaleDimmesdale

Was Hester’s secret loverWas Hester’s secret lover Lacks the courage to admit his guilt Lacks the courage to admit his guilt

publicly and purge his soulpublicly and purge his soul Believes what he and Hester did was Believes what he and Hester did was

indeed wicked, and so suffers from indeed wicked, and so suffers from increasing self-hatred, mental increasing self-hatred, mental anguish and despairanguish and despair

Leaves Hester to support herself and Leaves Hester to support herself and their childtheir child

Dimmesdale cont.Dimmesdale cont. Changes from a handsome young Changes from a handsome young

clergyman, becoming pale and clergyman, becoming pale and emaciated from long fasts and vigilsemaciated from long fasts and vigils

Often puts his hand over his heartOften puts his hand over his heart Appears to be concerned with doing Appears to be concerned with doing

good, but is too deeply self-good, but is too deeply self-immersed to connect with othersimmersed to connect with others

Becomes increasingly popular as he Becomes increasingly popular as he deteriorates physicallydeteriorates physically

Admits his sin at the end of the novelAdmits his sin at the end of the novel

Plot OutlinePlot Outline

Custom House – speaker claims to have Custom House – speaker claims to have found the manuscript and a faded letter Afound the manuscript and a faded letter A

Ch. 1 – Setting is established; description Ch. 1 – Setting is established; description of the prison and surrounding plot is givenof the prison and surrounding plot is given

Ch. 2 – Hester, released from prison, Ch. 2 – Hester, released from prison, stands on scaffold wearing scarlet Astands on scaffold wearing scarlet A

Ch. 3 – Hester recognizes a man in the Ch. 3 – Hester recognizes a man in the crowd; Dimmesdale asks her to reveal her crowd; Dimmesdale asks her to reveal her loverlover

Ch. 4 – The man is her husband; he Ch. 4 – The man is her husband; he calls himself Roger Chillingworth. calls himself Roger Chillingworth. Hester promises to keep his identity Hester promises to keep his identity a secret.a secret.

Ch. 5 – Hester, released from prison, Ch. 5 – Hester, released from prison, supports herself and her daughter by supports herself and her daughter by doing needlework.doing needlework.

Ch. 6 – Hester’s daughter, Pearl, Ch. 6 – Hester’s daughter, Pearl, shows her mischievous side.shows her mischievous side.

Ch. 7 – Hearing town’s plan to take Ch. 7 – Hearing town’s plan to take Pearl away, Hester visits Gov. Pearl away, Hester visits Gov. Bellingham’s mansion.Bellingham’s mansion.

Ch. 8 – Dimmesdale intercedes on Ch. 8 – Dimmesdale intercedes on Hester’s behalf, and she is allowed to Hester’s behalf, and she is allowed to keep Pearl.keep Pearl.

Ch. 9 – Chillingworth moves in with Ch. 9 – Chillingworth moves in with Dimmesdale as his medical advisor.Dimmesdale as his medical advisor.

Ch. 10 – Chillingworth, ripping aside Ch. 10 – Chillingworth, ripping aside Dimmesdale’s vestment, is exalted Dimmesdale’s vestment, is exalted with what he sees.with what he sees.

Ch. 11 – Chillingworth subtly tortures Ch. 11 – Chillingworth subtly tortures Dimmesdale.Dimmesdale.

Ch. 12 – Dimmesdale goes to the Ch. 12 – Dimmesdale goes to the scaffold, meets Pearl and Hester; scaffold, meets Pearl and Hester; Chillingworth discovers them there in Chillingworth discovers them there in the mysterious light. Seven years have the mysterious light. Seven years have passed.passed.

Ch. 13 – Hester, now much loved by the Ch. 13 – Hester, now much loved by the community for her charity, looks drab.community for her charity, looks drab.

Ch. 14 – Hester confronts Chillingworth Ch. 14 – Hester confronts Chillingworth and notices how evil looking he has and notices how evil looking he has become.become.

Ch. 15 – Hester’s inner feelings of hatred Ch. 15 – Hester’s inner feelings of hatred toward Chillingworth are revealed. toward Chillingworth are revealed. Hester lies to Pearl about the A.Hester lies to Pearl about the A.

Ch. 16 – Hester and Dimmesdale Ch. 16 – Hester and Dimmesdale meet in the woods.meet in the woods.

Ch. 17 – Hester tells Dimmesdale that Ch. 17 – Hester tells Dimmesdale that Chillingworth is her husband; Chillingworth is her husband; Dimmesdale and Hester plan to leave Dimmesdale and Hester plan to leave Boston together.Boston together.

Ch. 18 – In her joy, Hester throws off Ch. 18 – In her joy, Hester throws off the A.the A.

Ch. 19 – Pearl bursts into tears and Ch. 19 – Pearl bursts into tears and refuses to cross the brook until Hester refuses to cross the brook until Hester puts the A back on.puts the A back on.

Ch. 20 – Returning home, Dimmesdale Ch. 20 – Returning home, Dimmesdale is tempted to sin.is tempted to sin.

Ch. 21 – The town gathers for the Ch. 21 – The town gathers for the Election Day holiday.Election Day holiday.

Ch. 22 – The Election Day procession Ch. 22 – The Election Day procession passes by.passes by.

Ch. 23 – Dimmesdale reveals the secret Ch. 23 – Dimmesdale reveals the secret on his chest to the town and dies.on his chest to the town and dies.

Ch. 24 – The revelation of the A is Ch. 24 – The revelation of the A is discussed; Chillingworth dies; Pearl’s discussed; Chillingworth dies; Pearl’s fate is revealed; the story’s moral is fate is revealed; the story’s moral is given, and Hester’s grave is described.given, and Hester’s grave is described.

SettingSetting

Puritan BostonPuritan Boston 1642-16491642-1649 Historical feeling because of allusions Historical feeling because of allusions

to real people and placesto real people and places A “romance” since Hawthorne A “romance” since Hawthorne

selects details to help establish mood selects details to help establish mood and tone for his themes rather than and tone for his themes rather than for historical accuracyfor historical accuracy

Point of ViewPoint of View

““The Custom House” essay is told from The Custom House” essay is told from first-person point of view; uses “I”first-person point of view; uses “I”

The rest of the novel is told from the The rest of the novel is told from the omniscient (all-knowing) point of view.omniscient (all-knowing) point of view.

Hawthorne occasionally interrupts the Hawthorne occasionally interrupts the novel to address the reader directly novel to address the reader directly (generally looked upon as a writing (generally looked upon as a writing flaw)flaw)

Literary ElementsLiterary Elements

Romance rather than a realistic novelRomance rather than a realistic novel

Examples – eerie red gleam in Examples – eerie red gleam in Chillingworth’s eyes, unexplained Chillingworth’s eyes, unexplained symbol on Dimmesdale’s chest, symbol on Dimmesdale’s chest, mystery of Pearl’s impish behaviormystery of Pearl’s impish behavior

These are all examples of the kind of These are all examples of the kind of fantastic elements found in fantastic elements found in romances.romances.

Literary Elements cont.Literary Elements cont.

Symbolism – a person, place, or thing Symbolism – a person, place, or thing whose significance goes beyond its whose significance goes beyond its literal meaning. Sometimes obvious, literal meaning. Sometimes obvious, but sometimes it is so complex that but sometimes it is so complex that its meaning, or what it represents, its meaning, or what it represents, can be interpreted in a variety of can be interpreted in a variety of ways. TSL is considered the first ways. TSL is considered the first symbolic book written in America. symbolic book written in America.

Literary Elements cont.Literary Elements cont.

Metaphors – an implied comparison Metaphors – an implied comparison between two seemingly unlike things between two seemingly unlike things is madeis made

Similes – the words “like” or “as” are Similes – the words “like” or “as” are used to compare two things directlyused to compare two things directly

Personification – giving human Personification – giving human qualities to inanimate objectsqualities to inanimate objects

Foreshadowing – hinting at what is to Foreshadowing – hinting at what is to comecome

Literary Elements cont.Literary Elements cont. Irony – exists when there is a contrast Irony – exists when there is a contrast

between an expectation and what actually between an expectation and what actually happens, or between what is said and happens, or between what is said and what is meant (such as Dimmesdale’s what is meant (such as Dimmesdale’s inner torment and his outward popularity)inner torment and his outward popularity)

Dramatic irony is when the reader knows Dramatic irony is when the reader knows something the character(s) do notsomething the character(s) do not

Allusion – references to people, places, Allusion – references to people, places, other books, etcother books, etc

Atmosphere – the prevailing mood Atmosphere – the prevailing mood established through tone and settingestablished through tone and setting

Themes: The Effect of SinThemes: The Effect of Sin Hester commits a sin of passion Hester commits a sin of passion

rather than intellect.rather than intellect. She is not tortured by guilt. She She is not tortured by guilt. She

believed her husband was dead and believed her husband was dead and that the love she shared with that the love she shared with Dimmesdale had a holiness all its Dimmesdale had a holiness all its own.own.

Hester grows strong as a result of Hester grows strong as a result of accepting her punishment.accepting her punishment.

Dimmesdale grows weaker since he is Dimmesdale grows weaker since he is unable to justify his sin, even for love.unable to justify his sin, even for love.

Themes: The Effect of Sin Themes: The Effect of Sin cont.cont.

Dimmesdale conceals his sin, Dimmesdale conceals his sin, increasingly tormenting his increasingly tormenting his conscience.conscience.

Chillingworth commits the worst sin, Chillingworth commits the worst sin, violating the sanctity of the human violating the sanctity of the human heart.heart.

Chillingworth places the intellect Chillingworth places the intellect over the heart.over the heart.

Themes: Personal and Public Themes: Personal and Public TruthTruth

Hester freely acknowledges her sin.Hester freely acknowledges her sin. She elaborately embroiders her She elaborately embroiders her

symbol of shame and guilt; dresses symbol of shame and guilt; dresses Pearl in scarlet as a second such Pearl in scarlet as a second such symbol, and wears the A long after symbol, and wears the A long after she could have discarded it.she could have discarded it.

Dimmesdale conceals his sin for seven Dimmesdale conceals his sin for seven long years.long years.

He suffers increasing torments of He suffers increasing torments of conscience.conscience.

Themes: Personal and Public Truth Themes: Personal and Public Truth cont.cont.

He finally admits his guilt immediately He finally admits his guilt immediately after his Election Day sermon in Ch. after his Election Day sermon in Ch. 23.23.

Chillingworth pretends to be Chillingworth pretends to be Dimmesdale’s friend while probing his Dimmesdale’s friend while probing his heart.heart.

He becomes increasingly demonic by He becomes increasingly demonic by not being truthful to himself or others.not being truthful to himself or others.

Themes: Wisdom through Themes: Wisdom through SufferingSuffering

Hester becomes increasingly loved and Hester becomes increasingly loved and respected. She is sought after for respected. She is sought after for comfort and counsel.comfort and counsel.

Dimmesdale comes to realize the Dimmesdale comes to realize the importance of publicly confessing sin. importance of publicly confessing sin. He learns that he cannot live with a lie.He learns that he cannot live with a lie.

Chillingworth does not grow wise Chillingworth does not grow wise through his suffering. He never realizes through his suffering. He never realizes that his torture of the minister is that his torture of the minister is immoral and evil.immoral and evil.