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Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864)

Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864). “Writers, for better or worse, are gods of their own universe…” -- Neil LaBute, playwright (2004). Background. 1804 – Born Nathaniel Hathorne in Salem, MA; added the “w” when he was first published Bowdoin College graduate, 1825

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Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864)

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  1. Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) “Writers, for better or worse, are gods of their own universe…” -- Neil LaBute, playwright (2004)

  2. Background • 1804 – Born Nathaniel Hathorne in Salem, MA; added the “w” when he was first published • Bowdoin College graduate, 1825 • Related to William Hathorne (Winthrop’s era) and John Hathorne (character in The Crucible). He did not want to be associated with these men, hence the changing of his name to “Hawthorne” • Between the ages of 21-31 (1825-1835) he “withdrew” from the world. In his later life he referred to this time as his “dark years,” the period wherein he discovered his art. • 1836 – married Sophia Peabody, a UtopianTranscendentalist. Of Sophia he wrote, “she is, in the strictest sense, my sole companion; and I need no other—there is no vacancy in my mind, any more than in my heart..."

  3. Hawthorne’s Content • The interior of the heart: the world of his Imagination; the place where sin and guilt reside; a world of darkness, of secrets • T he drama of human suffering: i.e. being human = having to endure suffering • In1850 Hawthorne wrote The Scarlet Letter in order to: • Disclose the drama of human suffering • Expose the world and fallen humanity as “sin-sick” • Illuminate characters living in a dark world burdened with post-Edenic sin and guilt

  4. Hawthorne’s Style • Stylistic techniques: • SYMBOLS (e.g. ray of sunshine) • MOTIFS (e.g. light/dark imagery) • JUXTAPOSITION of images • PARADOX • AMBIGUITY Where have you seen these techniques in the reading?

  5. Questions: • How specifically is The Scarlet Letter a Late Romantic text? Where, if at all, do you see connections to Poe’s critical theories? • What is the view of Nature? • Where do you see examples of Mutability, Nebulosity/Mystery, Sentiment vs. Reason, etc.?

  6. Questions: • What is Hawthorne’s tone? • What is Hawthorne’s attitude toward the Puritans? What diction (word choice) establishes this attitude? • (To follow momentarily: model presentation of chapter 1…)

  7. Beginning tomorrow… Graded in-class presentations, 3 or 4 chapters at a time. Will take place every day, concluding next Tuesday 11/22. Three or four student presenters will be chosen at the beginning of each period. They will be responsible for teaching that day’s 4 chapters. Specific presentation guidelines were posted on my website last Friday. All presentations must follow today’s chapter 1 model presentation. Chapters to be presented tomorrow: 2, 3, & 4.

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