The Scarlet Letter: What happens when a private sin becomes a public crime?
Hester and Pearl, George Henry Boughton (1833-1905) DO-NOW: Spend a moment looking at the painting above. Then record your observations. What is happening and why?
Written by Nathaniel Hawthorne and published in 1850 Considered the first psychological novel and first truly American novel Deals with treatment of human nature, sin, guilt, and pride from an American point of view Set in Boston, Massachusetts during the mid-seventeenth century The Scarlet Letter
Born on July 4, 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts Graduated from Bowdoin College in Maine in 1825, spending the next 12 years of his life writing Married Sophia Peabody in 1842 and took a job as an surveyor in the Salem Custom House to earn more money His great-great-grandfather was a judge during the Salem Witch Trials Died in 1864, aged 60 Nathaniel Hawthorne
Statue in Salem, MA Hawthorne was allegedly haunted by his connection to his ancestor and it is speculated that he added the W to his last name to distance himself from his greatgreat grandfather. In 1830, Hawthorne published two stories under the name Hathorne, but started spelling his name with a W after this date. Hathorne is not only related to John Hathorne, but also to a number of the accused witches from the Salem Witch Trials including John Proctor. Hawthorne or Hathorne?
Hawthorne Birthplace in Salem, MA Nathaniel Hawthorne Birthplace
The Scarlet Letter In this house, Hawthorne wrote his novel, The Scarlet Letter. Today, it is a private home in Salem, MA.
American Romanticism The Period of American Literature between 1830 and 1865 is known as the American Romantic Period. The young nation felt destined for greatness and wanted the current generation of young minds to establish an American cultural identity. Key writers: Poe, Whitman, Thoreau
Transcendentalism Transcendentalists believed that divinity manifests itself everywhere, especially in nature, and that people should foster individual relationships with the divine, rather than seek it through structured religion. Transcendentalism also believes in people s innate goodness and the importance of insight over logic in the quest for truth. Key writers: Emerson, Thoreau
Novel vs. Romance A novel deals with realistic representations of human experiences. The events that occur in a novel tend to be plausible. A romance employs fantastic representations of their characters experiences to arrive at inner truths. A romance is less focused on realism than on symbols; less concerned with a story s credibility than its resonance. The Scarlet Letter is considered a romance.
Who Were the Puritans? The Puritans were a group of the Church of England who disagreed with certain religious practices: worship of idols and ceremonial rituals Theocracy No separation of church and state. Religious rules would make up most of the laws that run society, and the church would be the head of government. Puritans Wanted to purify the church
They believed they were God s chosen ones. They felt God justified all their actions, so they stood firm in their resolve. If someone were to criticize them or harm them, they would turn the other cheek, believing that God would take care of them in the end. What did the Puritans believe?
Puritan Beliefs: We re All Sinners 1. First, they believed that humans were despicable beings Original Sin 2. They subscribed to the belief of unconditional election. Before God created the world, he chose certain individuals to be saved.
Core Puritan J Beliefs 3. The Puritans believed in Limited Atonement. Basically, only the true were predestined. 4. Irresistible Grace: Once God chose someone for salvation, that person could not resist God s grace.
J Core Puritan Beliefs 5. The Puritans believed in Perseverance of the Saints. A person elected by God's grace would never leave the path to salvation. The person would have complete power to understand the word of God, and would never turn towards evil.
Was against the law to not attend church. Men and women sat on different sides of church. Children didn t sit with parents; were expected to be completely silent. Service began with a prayer, given by the minister, that lasted about an hour. Following prayer, the minister would give his sermon which would last from two to four hours. No music. No bathroom breaks. No heat or air conditioning. Church for Puritans
What does this suggest?
Puritan Holidays The Puritans rejected most religious celebrations, as they found no scripture in the Bible justifying its celebration. Puritans celebrated only three holidays: Commencement Day, Training Day, and Election Day Commencement Day: "If the college die, the church cannot long live. Celebrating graduation of students from colleges, especially Harvard College Training Day: Military reviews and exercises were made religious by an opening exercise of prayer and psalm-singing Election Day: A Spring event (usually a Wednesday in April) when the charter of Massachusetts required that members of the Bay Colony meet to elect their officers. This day became a holiday, celebrated with sermons and a special election cake and beer. Pay attention to this in CH 21 of the novel
No privacy moral police and fines Nothing could be immodest. If anyone did dishonest or immoral things, such as use profanity or have an affair, he or she would be fined and punished by the court How does this illustration depict Puritan life? Valued literacy and reading the Bible for direct interaction with God
Examining Puritan Life Describe the painting. What are the mother and child doing? Describe their clothes. Describe the faces of the mother and child. How would you describe their emotions? What new information does this portrait give you about life for seventeenth-century Puritans? Elizabeth Clarke Freake (Mrs. John Freake) and Baby Mary, about 1671 and 1674
The Role of Puritan Women Women: subservient to men and naturally evil, following the teachings of the Bible. Stems from Adam and Eve Social order: Men, married women, single women, children
The Role of Puritan Women Tombstones in Salem, MA: Look closely at both of these tombstones. What do they tell you about the role of women in Puritan society?
Instructions on Good Manners for Colonial Children (1773) Make a bow always when you come home, and be immediately uncovered. Never sit in the presence of thy parents without bidding, tho no stranger be present. If thou passest by thy parents, and any place where thou seest them, when either by themselves or with company, bow towards them. Dispute not, nor delay to obey thy parents commands. Quarrel not nor contend with thy brethren or sisters, but live in love, peace, and unity. What does this suggest about the role of Puritan children?
Life With Native Americans Puritans thought it was their destiny to expand their domain, taking Native land Constant Native American fights on fringes of frontier Associated with the Devil Harsh living conditions and death. Widespread diseases (smallpox) killed many
Life With Native Americans The Puritans tried, unsuccessfully, to convert Indians to Christianity. They thought they were doing the Indians a favor by saving them from damnation.
Puritan Crime & Punishment Adultery Made capital crime by Massachusetts Bay General Court in 1631 Usually punished by fine and public whipping Man was required to pay child support if child was born In Plymouth, MA: whipping and wearing of AD letters on clothing
Puritan Crime & Punishment The Puritans emphasized women s sexual offenses more than men s A man s offense was just considered a violation of his marriage, while a woman s offense was considered a violation of her marriage and an offense against the community. Women were blamed more for illegal sexual activity because they were considered to be ruled by their emotions, while men were considered to be governed by reason.
Puritan Crime & Punishment The Puritans believed that one unpunished sinner can infect the whole congregation. This comes from the Bible, Leviticus 20:10, which reads: And the man that commits adultery with another man s wife, even he that commits adultery with his neighbor s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. Consider how this belief is shown as you read Chapter 2 of the novel.
Belief in the Supernatural Supernatural world coexists with real world Devils and angels compete for a person s soul Must be on guard at all times little things could be the work of the Devil Most at risk were young, single women as they might become married to the Devil
Belief in the Supernatural Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. Exodus 22:18 The Puritans believed people were not born witches At some point, they were approached by the Devil (the Black Man) to come and be with him Those who followed signed his book, meaning they made a compact with him, and then were given the power of witchcraft
The Custom House A custom house is the building where taxes are paid on good coming into a port. This custom house in Salem, MA was where Nathaniel Hawthorne worked as a surveyor, overseeing the house s inspectors from 1846-1849.
The Custom House Hawthorne s things while working at the Custom House in Salem, MA
Her actions were considered an attack on the church and society. A puritan woman who preached her own interpretation of the Bible, rather than those of the governing ministers. Anne Hutchinson
Anne Hutchinson A Puritan woman who developed religious ideas at odds with the accepted Puritan doctrines of the day Hutchinson hosted women in her home to discuss religious matters and beliefs. She often used these meetings to criticize church leaders and doctrine. Developed her own interpretation of important Puritan beliefs and was known for using her religious belief to argue for better treatment of women Because of her outspoken preaching, Puritan leaders tried Hutchinson for heresy in 1638. She was found guilty because during the trial she claimed to have received a revelation from God. This mention of divine revelation caused Puritan leaders to excommunicate her from the church. I have been guilty of wrong thinking.
Allusion: The Pearl of Great Price Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Matthew 13:45-46 As you read, consider how Hester s daughter is likened to this parable
According to the Bible (2 Samuel 11 and 12) Bathsheba was a beautiful, clever and unscrupulous woman. She was seen by King David as she bathed, desired by him, and subsequently became pregnant to him even though married to the soldier Uriah. Uriah was murdered by David, and she then married the King. Her baby soon died. Pay attention to this allusion in CH 9 Allusion: Bathsheba and David
Thinking Thematically: Alienation 1. Have you ever been excluded? Describe the circumstances of your exclusion and how it made you feel. 2. What are some factors that might lead to a person s being excluded from social circles in our school? Is this exclusion reasonable? Explain. 3. In the larger American society of the early 21st century, what type of people are shunned? Do they deserved to be shunned? Explain.