Background
Who wrote The Scarlet Letter
Nathaniel Hawthorne
What was American Romanticism?
Literary movement in the U.S., group of authors who published between 1820-1860
Where is the narrator in the introduction?
Salem
What is Hester's job?
Seamstress - she sews almost everything for people - but she is not allowed to sew wedding dresses
Describe Hester at the beginning of the novel
Headstrong, proud, outcast, talented seamstress, defiant, rebel, had an affair, had a baby, beautiful
When does the majority of the novel take place?
mid-1600s
What are 2 of the 10 characteristics of Romanticism
-The Novel -Emotion
-Symbolism -Imagination
-Formal Experimentation -The American Revolution
-Nature -Democracy/Freedom
-Individualism -The Frontier
How many years does the story of Hester cover?
Seven years
According to the narrator, what are the first two structures typically built in a new colony?
Cemetery and Prison
Describe Hester in the middle of the novel
Obedient, kind to others, giving, liked by people, does her duty quietly, plain-looking, questions the goodness of her daughter
Why did the Puritans leave England?
Religious Freedom
Give 1 example of how 1 of the characteristics of American Romanticism was shown in the novel and explain why
Answers will vary
Who is Bellingham
The governor of the town
Why doesn't Pearl recognize Hester in the woods? 2 parts
She looks pretty and youthful again
Describe Hester at the end of the novel
Defiant again, more brave, bold in a more mature way, more free after conversation w/ Dimmesdale, hates her husband, beautiful again
What did the author commonly write about?
Puritanism in Colonial America
Give 1 example of how 1 of the characteristics of American Romanticism was shown in the novel and explain why
Answers will vary
Why is Chillingworth so concerned with Dimmesdale? Why does he say he's living with him?
He suspects that he is Hester's lover
He says he's living with him to heal his sickness
What happens to Chillingworth after Dimmesdale's death?
He wastes away and dies
Answers will vary
Name a few of the Puritan Beliefs
-Church of Engl. needed to be reformed
-God formed unique covenant with Puritans
-There was a group guaranteed admission to Heaven
-Private Bible study
-Education and Enlightenment for all
-Simplicity in worship
Give 2 examples of how 2 of the characteristics of American Romanticism was shown in the novel and explain why
Answers vary
According to Hester, who can remove the scarlet letter from her chest? Is this what happens?
Only God
No - she takes it off
What does Pearl finally do at the end of the novel before Dimmesdale dies and why?
She gives him a kiss
Because he has finally stood on the scaffold with them
He has forgiven himself
She has forgiven him
Give an example of a symbol in the novel and why it is a symbol/what it is a symbol of.
Answers will vary -
dark plant in graveyard: un-confessed sin
leech: Chillingworth
Chillingworth & Dimmesdale: Experimental Medicine and Ideal Puritan
the Scaffold: A place of judgement, whether of oneself or others
etc.