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AP Literature
MAJOR WORKS DATA SHEET
Title: ________Scarlet Letter
Author: ___Nathaniel
Hawthorne______________________________
Date of Publication: ________1850_____
Genre: ______________Romantic _________
Biographical Information about the
Author
Hawthorne was born on July 4, 1804
and died on May 19, 1864. He notably
added the ‘w’ to his name to distinguish
himself from John Hathorne, a judge
from the Salem Witch Trials of 1692.
Historical Information about the period and
place of publication – what was happening in the
world the author lived in and how might that
have influenced him?
The author didn’t live in the world that he writes
about, but his ties to the early Puritans in
Massachusetts gives him a basis for a story.
Characteristics of the Genre
Hawthorne loved to criticize puritans for being
strict and he does so in the scarlet letter. He also Style is similar to Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein.
criticizes the authority in towns such as Boston in Full of nature and experiments with new
the novel because the elders are corrupt.
ideas that weren’t popular in the time he sets
his novel.
Plot Summary
In the scarlet letter, Hester is convicted of being an adulterer and is shamed by her town
for her sin. Dimmesdale, whom she had slept with, is the only other person in the novel to
know of their deed. Eventually Hester changes the meaning of the scarlet ‘A’ to signify
‘Able’ as she is useful and carries out her duties. As this is happening, Chillingworth,
Hester’s husband, looks to get his revenge by slaying Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale confesses
and dies in the final chapters of the novel before Chillingworth can get his revenge.
Describe the author’s style
An example that demonstrates that style
Hawthorn sets the story in the past to
help give the reader insight to events.
He also begins the story of Hester after
the crime had been committed so he
could develop sympathy for her
actions.
Hawthorne writes in puritan vernacular and
emphasizes the aspects of the romantic period by
using vivid language and many draws from
nature.
Memorable Quotes
Quotation
Significance
“She wanted – what some people
want throughout life – a grief that
should deeply touch her, and thus
humanize and make her capable of
sympathy.”
As Hester is desensitized, she searches for a
connection, but in her depression she has pearl to
shed light.
“I have laughed, in bitterness and
agony of heart, at the contrast
between what I seem and what I
am!”
This is the sin and depression that grips
Dimmesdale before he dies. He learns that his life
had little fulfillment for it was filled with ‘bitterness
and agony’
“...if truth were everywhere to be
shown, a scarlet letter would blaze
forth on many a bosom...”
Clearly stated, everyone in Boston would be guilty of
one thing or another. This criticizes how the town
punishes one person, while they, themselves, are to
blame as well.
Characters
Name
Role in the Story
Pearl
Pearl is meant to be a living
symbol that Hester has some
good inside of her. Pearl’s
name, like many in the novel,
describes her personality.
Roger
Chillingworth
From the beginning,
Chillingworth loses himself
and becomes devil-like as he
searches for revenge.
Significance
Adjectives
Pure,
symbolic,
innocent,
intuitive
Cold,
perverted, evil,
destructive
Dimmesdale
Dimmesdale ages quickly as he
becomes guilty of his sin. He is
constantly growing more ill and
serves to be an example of
what puritans are in the min of
Hawthorne. His fault lies in his
affair with Hester
Hester Prynne
Dim, young,
aging quickly,
sickly
Hester perseveres throughout
the novel and is able to change
her role as a prisoner in her
own town as a survivor
Impetuous,
strong willed,
honest, Able
Setting
Significance of opening scene
This story takes place in the early Boston colony
in Massachusetts. The town is surrounded by a
forest which acts as a sort of shield that isolates
the characters from the rest of the world.
The opening scene in the customs shop is
a direct relation to Hawthorne’s past. He
used to work in a customs shop, but more
so, the narrator is made to parallel Hester
being young and alienated.
Significance of ending/closing scene
The ending scene is Hawthorne’s final
words through Dimmesdale’s death. If
Dimmesdale can break the rules of
society, so can anyone else.
Symbols
1. The Scarlet Letter – Appears on both
Dimmesdale and Hester
2. The Meteor – Appears as a revelation to
the characters. It is considered divine.
Old AP Questions
Leave Blank for Now
3. Pearl – a living reminder of Hester sin.
Complex character that appears at the
age of 3 and 7 in the novel (magic
numbers!).
Possible Themes
Human Condition
Plain and simple, Hester is like Eve that took the apple from the Garden of Eden, except, she
slept with another man. Hester is punished for her actions by standing upon the scaffold and, like
in Christian tradition, she is to descend to a level where she has to pay for her crime by being
made aware that she is no longer equal with other people. Hester finds a way around this by
wearing the letter to signify “Able” which is the opposite intent of the town elders.
The Nature of Evil
Puritanism deems many a thing sinful and from cover to cover, and characters are embodied by
sin in order to show criticize puritans for their strict beliefs. What is sinful to one culture may not
be to another and so this theme comes in many forms. Hester and Dimmesdale’s relationship is
condemned by puritans because it is considered adultery but it isn’t the main source of evil in the
story. Chillingworth’s attitude is maniacal and critical to understanding true evil in the Scarlet
Letter. His rage perverts his actions and he assumes the identity of others to make himself
justified.
Identity and Society
Hester deems a new identity after having worn the letter on her breast. Even though the reader
doesn’t know her character prior to this instant, the reader can infer that she has significantly
changed and is making more suitable choices. For Dimmesdale, his conscious wears him thin to
the core and he is corrupted by his actions and identifies himself with the Scarlet Letter on his
flesh.