Nathaniel Hawthorne’s father passed away at sea when he was just four years old, leaving his mother to raise him alone in Salem, Massachusetts. He later attended Bowdoin College, graduating in 1824. In 1842, he married Sophia Peabody, and they shared a deeply loving marriage that blessed them with three children. Due to financial struggles as a writer, Hawthorne worked as a surveyor at the Salem Custom House between 1846 and 1849. He also established friendships with renowned authors, including Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Henry David Thoreau, and Herman Melville. Hawthorne passed away in 1864 after spending six years abroad in Europe.
Historical Context of The Scarlet Letter
The Scarlet Letter portrays a critical view of Puritan society, a religious group that had significant influence in late 17th-century Massachusetts. Puritanism originated in England during Queen Elizabeth's reign (1558–1603) with the goal of purifying the Church of England, aligning government and religious practices with God’s word. Persecuted for their beliefs, a group of Puritans sought religious freedom by journeying to America on the Mayflower in 1620. Although often considered as foundational figures in American society, Hawthorne's work scrutinizes the rigid and judgmental nature of Puritan beliefs.
Other Books Related to The Scarlet Letter
During the 1830s and 1840s, the Transcendentalist movement gained momentum, particularly in Massachusetts. Transcendentalists believed in the mind’s ability to shape personal experience and advocated for a direct, individual connection to God, diverging from structured religious doctrines like those of the Puritans. The movement produced notable works such as Thoreau’s Walden (1854) and Emerson’s Essays, including "Nature" (1836). Although Hawthorne is not typically labeled as a Transcendentalist, his works reflect many themes associated with the movement.
Key Facts about The Scarlet Letter
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Title | The Scarlet Letter |
| When Written | 1848-1850 |
| Where Written | Salem, Massachusetts |
| When Published | 1850 |
| Literary Period | Transcendentalism |
| Genre | Novel |
| Setting | Boston, Massachusetts in the 1640s |
| Climax | Dimmesdale's confession and death |
| Antagonist | Roger Chillingworth; the Puritans |
| Point of View | Third person omniscient |
Extra Credit: Hawthorne and the Salem Witch Trials
Nathaniel Hawthorne was a descendant of John Hathorne (1641–1717), a prominent Puritan magistrate. Hathorne is best remembered for his role as a leading judge during the Salem Witch Trials, where he sentenced numerous innocent people to death for witchcraft. To distance himself from this dark family legacy, Nathaniel added a "w" to his surname.