Close Reading Questions for the Scarlet Letter

This instructor'southward guide presents a teaching approach to The Scarlet Letter that encourages student involvement. Rather than treating The Red Letter every bit an artifact we must study every bit a cultural obligation, this approach emphasizes the significance this classic literary work holds for the lives of its readers. Many of the activities suggested in this teacher's guide are inductive. They ofttimes focus primarily upon the individual reader'due south experience while reading the work and the sharing of these experiences with other readers. The approach incorporates reading, writing, speaking, listening, and creative thinking every bit they relate to the literary work.

This guide is divided into three sections. The first section offers an overview of the novel which includes a synopsis of the plot, a commentary on the novel, an introduction to Hawthorne's life, a description of the literary scene during Hawthorne's time, and some historical commentary about Puritan New England. This data is provided as a review for the teacher, to aid in answering questions students may inquire, and to aid in directing interested students toward further inquiry. The second section contains suggestions for education The Scarlet Letter of the alphabet. The activities are presented co-ordinate to effective times to innovate them – either before, during, or after reading the novel. They are also keyed to indicate the ability levels of students for whom they are appropriate.

* ways appropriate for all level students
+ means appropriate for nonacademic students
# means appropriate for all level students
@ means appropriate for academic students

The tertiary department provides ideas for extending students' learning to include current events, literary criticism, and other literary works.

Because reading The Red Letter tin can be difficult for many loftier school readers, information technology is important that teachers not expect all students to answer to the novel as literary scholars. Nurturing an interest in the parts of the novel which appeal to students and not dwelling on aspects across their comprehension or concern tin enhance the reader's human relationship with the novel. High schoolhouse readers who enjoy some aspect of The Red Letter may return to information technology later on in life and detect deeper meanings for themselves. The suggestions offered here are designed to optimize the pupil's enjoyment of the novel. A preliminary proffer is to have students skip "The Custom Business firm," even though it is subtitled "An Introductory to The Scarlet Alphabetic character," and proceed direct to reading the novel itself.

Synopsis
The story takes place in the Puritan hamlet of Boston, Massachusetts, during the get-go half of the 17th Century. Several years before the novel begins, Hester Prynne came to the New World to wait the arrival of her husband who had concern to conclude in Europe. Notwithstanding, Hester's husband was captured by Indians upon his arrival in New England and did non go far in Boston as Hester expected. While living alone in Boston and believing her husband expressionless, Hester committed adultery and became pregnant. The village magistrates imprisoned her for this sin and decreed she must article of clothing a scarlet "A" on the bodice of her dress for the rest of her life. While in prison house, Hester, highly skilled in needlework, elaborately embroidered red letter with gold thread.

Earlier her release from prison, Hester was forced to stand on the public scaffold where all the villagers could run into her. Every bit the story opens, Hester is leaving the prison to have her position on the scaffold. She wears the scarlet letter and carries with dignity her three-month-old daughter Pearl. As Hester endures this public disgrace, Roger Chillingworth, an old human being new to the hamlet, asks members of the crowd about her and learns every bit much of her story as is usually known. When he asks the identity of the child'south father, he discovers Hester has refused to divulge this information. From the balustrade overlooking the scaffold, the immature Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale as well asks for this information and eloquently appeals to Hester to publicly proper noun her partner in sin. She refuses.

Upon her return to prison house, Hester is distraught, and Roger Chillingworth, a self-proclaimed physician, comes to calm her and the babe. Chillingworth, who is actually Hester's husband, refuses to publicly acknowledge her and share in her shame. He makes Hester promise to go along his true identity secret and vows to observe and avenge himself on the man who has wronged him.

Hester and Pearl take upward residence in a modest cottage at the border of the village. Using her needlework skills, Hester supports herself and Pearl by sewing for the magistrates and wealthy villagers. She as well sews for the poor equally an act of charity. Although they live humbly, Hester'south one extravagance is the way she dresses Pearl. Hester fashions scarlet, elaborately embroidered dresses for Pearl. The townspeople mostly shun Hester and her daughter.

Three years pass, and Hester learns the magistrates are because taking Pearl away from her. Hester passionately implores Governor Bellingham to allow her to go on Pearl, who is her sole joy also as a abiding reminder of her sin. The Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale speaks in behalf of Hester, and Pearl is allowed to remain with her mother. As Hester and Pearl exit the Governor'southward Mansion, Mistress Hibbins, the Governor's sister, invites Hester to run across the Black Man in the forest. Hester happily declines the offer considering she must take intendance of Pearl.

The story at present turns to Roger Chillingworth. Post-obit his clandestine interview with Hester in prison, Chillingworth becomes a respected member of the community and personal medical counselor to Arthur Dimmesdale, whose health is failing. Chillingworth uses his medical cognition to treat the minister'south concrete status, just suspects some wound or trouble in Dimmesdale's soul is contributing to his declining health. Intent on discovering the truth virtually Arthur Dimmesdale, Chillingworth one day comes upon the minister in his sleep, pushes aside his shirt, and reads the secret of the minister's heart - the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale is Hester Prynne's partner in adultery and the father of little Pearl. Chillingworth acknowledges Dimmesdale as his enemy and thus makes him the unsuspecting victim of his malevolent revenge.

Although Dimmesdale lacks the courage to confess his sin publicly and risk ruining his reputation every bit a human of God, he suffers privately. In addition to his constant mental torment, he punishes himself physically with a encarmine scourge, fasts to the signal of weakness, and keeps nightly vigils. On one of these acuity nights, 7 years later Hester stood in alone shame upon the scaffold, Dimmesdale, thinking the rest of the town is asleep, stands on that same scaffold. Even so, Hester and Pearl pass the scaffold as they return dwelling from watching at the deathbed of Governor Winthrop. Dimmesdale invites them to ascend the steps and the three stand together on the scaffold. Pearl asks him if they volition stand together tomorrow, but Dimmesdale tells her information technology cannot exist. Chillingworth sees the trio on the scaffold. Dimmesdale appeals to Hester for support confronting the nameless horror he feels for Chillingworth. Hiding his hatred for Dimmesdale, Chillingworth approaches and leads the government minister back dwelling.

Hester is shocked past the decay of Dimmesdale's nerve and moral forcefulness. She infers Chillingworth to be the insidious cause of his weakened state. Realizing she has allowed this to happen by keeping Chillingworth's identity a secret, Hester resolves to talk to her former husband and endeavor to rescue Dimmesdale from his evil influence. Before long after, Hester approaches Chillingworth and asks him to stop tormenting Dimmesdale. When Chillingworth refuses, she tells her quondam husband she must reveal the hush-hush of his identity. Chillingworth tells her to do what she will with the government minister.

Several days later, Hester intercepts Arthur Dimmesdale as he is walking through the woods. The two retreat to the seclusion of the woods and talk while Pearl plays among the nearby trees. Arthur tells Hester he detests living a prevarication and is relieved to wait into the eyes of one who knows him for what he really is. Hester tells him that Chillingworth likewise possesses this knowledge, and that he was the husband she betrayed. Dimmesdale is initially horrified, but shortly forgives Hester for keeping Chillingworth's surreptitious. Fearing further revenge from Chillingworth, Dimmesdale asks Hester what he should practise. She suggests they leave Boston and return to the Sometime World. Arthur agrees, and they plan to get out aboard the ship currently in the harbor. In their newly discovered freedom, Hester removes the scarlet letter and the cap which binds her hair. Hester wants Arthur to know Pearl and summons her from the copse. Merely Pearl, distressed by her female parent's altered appearance, comes reluctantly. Pearl then bursts into a fit of passion and insists her female parent don the letter and cap before she will behave civilly. Hester does this sadly. Dimmesdale gives the child a osculation, which she immediately washes off in the brook.

Upon returning to the village, Hester makes arrangements with the ship's captain for the passage. Arthur is secretly pleased they will not leave until after Election Day when he volition have the honor of delivering the Election Sermon. When Election 24-hour interval arrives, the transport's captain tells Hester that Chillingworth will be traveling wit=== -->

• Overview
  
• Earlier Reading the Novel
  
• While Reading the Novel
  
• After Reading the Novel
  
• Extended Learning
  
• Bibliography
  
• About the Guide Author
  
• About the Guide Editors
• Buy this Book!

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INTRODUCTION

Although written about 150 years ago, Nathaniel Hawthorne'southward The Scarlet Letter of the alphabet contains concepts and insights relevant to contemporary readers. The themes of alienation and breaking club'south rules are ones to which many teenagers can readily relate. Viewed in this light, the novel tin exist approached as the story of a woman who let her middle rule her caput and suffered the consequences. Hester Prynne's plight can agitate sympathy, Arthur Dimmesdale'due south hypocrisy tin can provoke anger, and Roger Chillingworth'south evil revenge can arm-twist disgust among today's high schoolhouse readers.

This teacher's guide presents a teaching approach to The Scarlet Letter that encourages pupil involvement. Rather than treating The Scarlet Letter as an artifact nosotros must study as a cultural obligation, this approach emphasizes the significance this archetype literary work holds for the lives of its readers. Many of the activities suggested in this teacher's guide are inductive. They often focus primarily upon the individual reader's experience while reading the work and the sharing of these experiences with other readers. The approach incorporates reading, writing, speaking, listening, and creative thinking every bit they relate to the literary work.

This guide is divided into iii sections. The beginning section offers an overview of the novel which includes a synopsis of the plot, a commentary on the novel, an introduction to Hawthorne'south life, a clarification of the literary scene during Hawthorne's time, and some historical commentary almost Puritan New England. This information is provided as a review for the teacher, to help in answering questions students may ask, and to assist in directing interested students toward further research. The second section contains suggestions for education The Cherry Letter. The activities are presented co-ordinate to effective times to innovate them – either earlier, during, or after reading the novel. They are also keyed to indicate the ability levels of students for whom they are appropriate.

* means appropriate for all level students
+ means advisable for nonacademic students
# means appropriate for all level students
@ means appropriate for academic students

The tertiary department provides ideas for extending students' learning to include electric current events, literary criticism, and other literary works.

Because reading The Scarlet Alphabetic character can be difficult for many loftier schoolhouse readers, it is important that teachers not await all students to respond to the novel as literary scholars. Nurturing an interest in the parts of the novel which appeal to students and non dwelling on aspects beyond their comprehension or concern can raise the reader's relationship with the novel. Loftier school readers who relish some aspect of The Blood-red Letter may render to information technology later in life and discover deeper meanings for themselves. The suggestions offered hither are designed to optimize the student's enjoyment of the novel. A preliminary suggestion is to accept students skip "The Custom House," fifty-fifty though it is subtitled "An Introductory to The Cerise Letter," and proceed direct to reading the novel itself.

OVERVIEW

Synopsis
The story takes identify in the Puritan village of Boston, Massachusetts, during the first half of the 17th Century. Several years before the novel begins, Hester Prynne came to the New Globe to wait the inflow of her hubby who had business organization to conclude in Europe. Withal, Hester's hubby was captured by Indians upon his arrival in New England and did not make it in Boston as Hester expected. While living lone in Boston and believing her husband expressionless, Hester committed adultery and became meaning. The hamlet magistrates imprisoned her for this sin and decreed she must article of clothing a scarlet "A" on the bodice of her dress for the rest of her life. While in prison, Hester, highly skilled in needlework, elaborately embroidered scarlet letter with gold thread.

Before her release from prison, Hester was forced to stand on the public scaffold where all the villagers could see her. As the story opens, Hester is leaving the prison house to take her position on the scaffold. She wears the scarlet letter and carries with dignity her 3-month-old daughter Pearl. Every bit Hester endures this public disgrace, Roger Chillingworth, an quondam man new to the village, asks members of the oversupply about her and learns every bit much of her story as is commonly known. When he asks the identity of the child's father, he discovers Hester has refused to divulge this information. From the balcony overlooking the scaffold, the young Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale also asks for this information and eloquently appeals to Hester to publicly name her partner in sin. She refuses.

Upon her return to prison, Hester is distraught, and Roger Chillingworth, a self-proclaimed doctor, comes to at-home her and the babe. Chillingworth, who is actually Hester'southward husband, refuses to publicly acknowledge her and share in her shame. He makes Hester promise to go along his true identity secret and vows to detect and avenge himself on the man who has wronged him.

Hester and Pearl take up residence in a small cottage at the edge of the village. Using her needlework skills, Hester supports herself and Pearl by sewing for the magistrates and wealthy villagers. She also sews for the poor as an act of charity. Although they alive humbly, Hester's one extravagance is the way she dresses Pearl. Hester fashions scarlet, elaborately embroidered dresses for Pearl. The townspeople generally shun Hester and her daughter.

Three years pass, and Hester learns the magistrates are because taking Pearl away from her. Hester passionately implores Governor Bellingham to allow her to continue Pearl, who is her sole joy as well as a constant reminder of her sin. The Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale speaks in behalf of Hester, and Pearl is allowed to remain with her female parent. As Hester and Pearl leave the Governor'south Mansion, Mistress Hibbins, the Governor's sister, invites Hester to meet the Black Human being in the forest. Hester happily declines the offer considering she must take care of Pearl.

The story now turns to Roger Chillingworth. Post-obit his clandestine interview with Hester in prison house, Chillingworth becomes a respected member of the community and personal medical advisor to Arthur Dimmesdale, whose wellness is failing. Chillingworth uses his medical knowledge to treat the minister's physical status, but suspects some wound or trouble in Dimmesdale's soul is contributing to his declining wellness. Intent on discovering the truth about Arthur Dimmesdale, Chillingworth 1 day comes upon the government minister in his sleep, pushes bated his shirt, and reads the underground of the government minister's heart - the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale is Hester Prynne's partner in adultery and the male parent of little Pearl. Chillingworth acknowledges Dimmesdale as his enemy and thus makes him the unsuspecting victim of his malevolent revenge.

Although Dimmesdale lacks the backbone to confess his sin publicly and risk ruining his reputation as a man of God, he suffers privately. In add-on to his constant mental torment, he punishes himself physically with a encarmine scourge, fasts to the indicate of weakness, and keeps nightly vigils. On one of these vigil nights, seven years afterwards Hester stood in lonely shame upon the scaffold, Dimmesdale, thinking the residual of the town is asleep, stands on that same scaffold. Notwithstanding, Hester and Pearl pass the scaffold as they return dwelling from watching at the deathbed of Governor Winthrop. Dimmesdale invites them to ascend the steps and the three stand together on the scaffold. Pearl asks him if they will stand together tomorrow, but Dimmesdale tells her it cannot be. Chillingworth sees the trio on the scaffold. Dimmesdale appeals to Hester for support confronting the nameless horror he feels for Chillingworth. Hiding his hatred for Dimmesdale, Chillingworth approaches and leads the minister back abode.

Hester is shocked by the decay of Dimmesdale'due south nerve and moral force. She infers Chillingworth to be the insidious crusade of his weakened state. Realizing she has allowed this to happen past keeping Chillingworth's identity a secret, Hester resolves to talk to her old husband and try to rescue Dimmesdale from his evil influence. Shortly subsequently, Hester approaches Chillingworth and asks him to stop tormenting Dimmesdale. When Chillingworth refuses, she tells her quondam husband she must reveal the secret of his identity. Chillingworth tells her to do what she will with the minister.

Several days afterward, Hester intercepts Arthur Dimmesdale every bit he is walking through the forest. The two retreat to the seclusion of the woods and talk while Pearl plays among the nearby trees. Arthur tells Hester he detests living a lie and is relieved to look into the eyes of ane who knows him for what he actually is. Hester tells him that Chillingworth also possesses this knowledge, and that he was the hubby she betrayed. Dimmesdale is initially horrified, just soon forgives Hester for keeping Chillingworth's secret. Fearing further revenge from Chillingworth, Dimmesdale asks Hester what he should do. She suggests they exit Boston and return to the Old World. Arthur agrees, and they plan to leave aboard the send currently in the harbor. In their newly discovered freedom, Hester removes the scarlet letter of the alphabet and the cap which binds her hair. Hester wants Arthur to know Pearl and summons her from the trees. Simply Pearl, distressed by her mother's contradistinct appearance, comes reluctantly. Pearl so bursts into a fit of passion and insists her female parent don the alphabetic character and cap before she volition behave civilly. Hester does this sadly. Dimmesdale gives the kid a buss, which she immediately washes off in the brook.

Upon returning to the village, Hester makes arrangements with the ship'southward helm for the passage. Arthur is secretly pleased they will non leave until after Ballot Day when he will take the honor of delivering the Election Sermon. When Election Day arrives, the send'due south helm tells Hester that Chillingworth will be traveling with them. Hester cannot warn Dimmesdale of this new evolution because the Ballot Procession, of which he is part, is beginning. Reverend Dimmesdale'southward sermon is a brilliant triumph, but every bit the procession is leaving the church, he surprises everyone by inviting Hester and Pearl to ascend the scaffold with him once once more, this time in front end of the unabridged village. Chillingworth tries unsuccessfully to dissuade Dimmesdale from this action. Hester supports Arthur, and Pearl holds his hand as the 3 of them climb onto the scaffold. The scaffold is the only place Roger Chillingworth dares non follow Dimmesdale, and he looks on unhappily as Dimmesdale escapes his revenge.

On the scaffold, Dimmesdale confesses his sin and tears away his shirt to reveal what appears to be a cerise "A" on his own breast. Chillingworth laments that Dimmesdale has escaped him, and Dimmesdale tells him he too has sinned deeply. Pearl kisses her father's lips and her tears autumn on his cheek. A dying man, Dimmesdale bids Hester farewell, merely cannot clinch her they will meet again in Heaven, reminding her of the gravity of their sin.

Dimmesdale is buried in the village cemetery. Roger Chillingworth dies within the twelvemonth, leaving Pearl a considerable amount of property. Hester and Pearl leave Boston, but years later, Hester returns and takes up residence in her old cottage where she lives until she dies. She is buried adjacent to Dimmesdale, and although their graves exercise not bear upon, they share a common gravestone.

Commentary
Although commonly called a novel, The Scarlet Letter is actually a romance. Hawthorne makes this stardom because at the time he was writing, novels were supposed to deal with realistic representations of human experiences or external truths. Romances, on the other hand, were concerned with internal truths, or "truths of the human centre," as Hawthorne states in his Preface to The House of the Seven Gables. Romances, therefore, allowed the author to deviate from reality in favor of imagination. Thus The Scarlet Alphabetic character is non an historical novel about Puritan Boston, but a romance set 200 years before Hawthorne's time in which he tells a tale that may have occurred, given some historical facts and many insights into human nature.

Writing a romance well-nigh the past gives Hawthorne the freedom to present several versions of what might accept happened, depending on whose perspective is presented. This is why afterward the death of Arthur Dimmesdale, several theories are submitted as to how the carmine "A" came to be imprinted on his breast. The insignia could have been cocky-inflicted, or wrought by Chillingworth's magic, or a manifestation of Dimmesdale's remorseful spirit. Hawthorne presents all iii theories non-judgementally because what matters most is not how The Cerise Letter got in that location, but that information technology confirms the truth nearly Dimmesdale's adulterous heart.

The genre of the romance likewise immune Hawthorne to embellish the human relationship between humans and nature. For example, the babbling beck in the wood scene appears to sympathise with Hester and Dimmesdale and adds "this other tale to the mystery with which its little center was already overburdened ...." (p. 201). In addition, the "A"-shaped falling star which appears the dark Governor Winthrop dies and Dimmesdale stands on the scaffold is interpreted as both a sign from sky denouncing Dimmesdale every bit an adulterer and likewise equally standing for "Angel" equally the soul of a revered magistrate ascends into heaven, depending upon the orientation of its observer.

Hawthorne'south Life

Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on July 4, 1804, in Salem, Massachusetts. His father and grandfather were both New England seafarers.

After his father died of yellow fever, Hawthorne (who was four years one-time), his mother, and sisters lived with his female parent'due south relatives. Post-obit his graduation from Bowdoin College, New Brunswick, Maine, in 1825, Hawthorne returned to Salem where he struggled as a short story writer for 12 years. He published Twice-Told Tales in 1837. From 1839 to 1841, Hawthorne worked as a measurer in the Boston Custom House. In 1842, he married Sophia Peabody. The Crimson Alphabetic character, published in 1850, brought him recognition every bit an writer. He published The Business firm of the Seven Gables in 1851. Hawthorne died on May xix, 1864, at Plymouth, New Hampshire.

Hawthorne'due south Literary Times

Hawthorne wrote during the Romantic Period in American literature which lasted from 1830 to 1865. Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Herman Melville, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Edgar Allen Poe, and Walt Whitman were his literary contemporaries. The Cherry Letter is considered a piece of American Romantic literature because it is set in a remote past, the Puritan era 200 years prior to Hawthorne'due south time, and because it deals with the interior psychology of individual characters.

Historical Commentary

A religious group which migrated from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in New England in the early 1600s, the Puritans believed in a "pure" interpretation of the Bible which did not include some of the traditional practices of the Church of England. Although the Church did not officially control the State in Puritan settlements, religion andh them. Hester cannot warn Dimmesdale of this new development because the Election Procession, of which he is part, is get-go. Reverend Dimmesdale'southward sermon is a vivid triumph, but every bit the procession is leaving the church, he surprises everyone by inviting Hester and Pearl to ascend the scaffold with him once again, this time in front of the entire village. Chillingworth tries unsuccessfully to dissuade Dimmesdale from this activity. Hester supports Arthur, and Pearl holds his hand as the 3 of them climb onto the scaffold. The scaffold is the only place Roger Chillingworth dares not follow Dimmesdale, and he looks on unhappily as Dimmesdale escapes his revenge.

On the scaffold, Dimmesdale confesses his sin and tears away his shirt to reveal what appears to be a red "A" on his ain breast. Chillingworth laments that Dimmesdale has escaped him, and Dimmesdale tells him he too has sinned deeply. Pearl kisses her father's lips and her tears autumn on his cheek. A dying man, Dimmesdale bids Hester adieu, but cannot assure her they will come across again in Heaven, reminding her of the gravity of their sin.

Dimmesdale is cached in the village cemetery. Roger Chillingworth dies within the yr, leaving Pearl a considerable corporeality of holding. Hester and Pearl leave Boston, just years later on, Hester returns and takes upwardly residence in her old cottage where she lives until she dies. She is cached next to Dimmesdale, and although their graves practise not bear upon, they share a mutual gravestone.

Commentary
Although usually called a novel, The Scarlet Letter is actually a romance. Hawthorne makes this distinction because at the time he was writing, novels were supposed to bargain with realistic representations of human experiences or external truths. Romances, on the other paw, were concerned with internal truths, or "truths of the man heart," every bit Hawthorne states in his Preface to The House of the 7 Gables. Romances, therefore, immune the author to deviate from reality in favor of imagination. Thus The Scarlet Letter is non an historical novel about Puritan Boston, but a romance set 200 years before Hawthorne's time in which he tells a tale that may have occurred, given some historical facts and many insights into homo nature.

Writing a romance nearly the past gives Hawthorne the freedom to nowadays several versions of what might have happened, depending on whose perspective is presented. This is why afterwards the expiry of Arthur Dimmesdale, several theories are submitted as to how the scarlet "A" came to be imprinted on his breast. The insignia could accept been self-inflicted, or wrought by Chillingworth's magic, or a manifestation of Dimmesdale's remorseful spirit. Hawthorne presents all 3 theories non-judgementally because what matters most is not how The Scarlet Letter got in that location, only that it confirms the truth nigh Dimmesdale's adulterous eye.

The genre of the romance besides allowed Hawthorne to embellish the relationship between humans and nature. For example, the babbling beck in the woods scene appears to sympathize with Hester and Dimmesdale and adds "this other tale to the mystery with which its trivial heart was already overburdened ...." (p. 201). In addition, the "A"-shaped meteor which appears the night Governor Winthrop dies and Dimmesdale stands on the scaffold is interpreted as both a sign from heaven denouncing Dimmesdale as an adulterer and also as continuing for "Affections" as the soul of a revered magistrate ascends into heaven, depending upon the orientation of its observer.

Hawthorne'due south Life

Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on July 4, 1804, in Salem, Massachusetts. His father and granddad were both New England seafarers.

After his male parent died of yellow fever, Hawthorne (who was four years onetime), his mother, and sisters lived with his mother'due south relatives. Post-obit his graduation from Bowdoin Higher, New Brunswick, Maine, in 1825, Hawthorne returned to Salem where he struggled as a short story writer for 12 years. He published Twice-Told Tales in 1837. From 1839 to 1841, Hawthorne worked equally a measurer in the Boston Custom Firm. In 1842, he married Sophia Peabody. The Scarlet Letter, published in 1850, brought him recognition as an author. He published The Firm of the Seven Gables in 1851. Hawthorne died on May xix, 1864, at Plymouth, New Hampshire.

Hawthorne's Literary Times

Hawthorne wrote during the Romantic Flow in American literature which lasted from 1830 to 1865. Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Herman Melville, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Edgar Allen Poe, and Walt Whitman were his literary contemporaries. The Blood-red Letter is considered a piece of American Romantic literature because it is set in a remote past, the Puritan era 200 years prior to Hawthorne'due south time, and considering it deals with the interior psychology of individual characters.

Historical Commentary

A religious group which migrated from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in New England in the early 1600s, the Puritans believed in a "pure" interpretation of the Bible which did non include some of the traditional practices of the Church of England. Although the Church did not officially control the Country in Puritan settlements, religion and authorities were closely intertwined. The ministers counseled the magistrates in all affairs concerning the settlement and its citizens. The Puritans had strict rules against the theater, religious music, sensuous poetry, and frivolous dress.

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