The Scarlet Letter: Context

The Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne

Born on July 4, 1804, in Salem, Massachusetts, Nathaniel Hawthorne is widely known for his work in the romantic literary tradition.
Hawthorne is renowned for his tales of moral conflicts, sin and guilt set in the historical context of Puritan New England.
His fascination with Puritan history and his roots in Salem, where witch trials took place in 1692, greatly influenced his writing, as shown in ‘The Scarlet Letter’.
He is a descendent of one of the judges of the infamous Salem witch trials, something he struggled with and often reflected upon in his writing.

Historical Context: Puritan Society

‘The Scarlet Letter’ takes place in Puritan New England, which was a highly religious and strict society.
The Puritans valued community laws and rules above individual freedom, and this ethos is at the heart of the conflict in ‘The Scarlet Letter’.
Sin, punishment, and redemption are central themes in the novel, reflecting the Puritan focus on guilt, repentance, and divine judgement.

Social Context: Women in the 19th Century

‘The Scarlet Letter’ is set in the 17th Century but was published in the mid-19th Century, during the American Romantic period.
The concept of individual freedom, exploration of the inner feelings of characters, and challenging societal norms prevalent in Romantic writing influence Hawthorne’s portrayal of Hester.
The character of Hester Prynne – who is strong, independent, and assertive – challenges the typical conventions of women of her time. This can be viewed as a critique of the societal repression of women in Hawthorne’s own 19th-century context.

Literary Context: Romanticism and Symbolism

Hawthorne was a part of the Romantic movement in American literature, which emphasised emotions, individualism, and nature.
‘The Scarlet Letter’ contains a great deal of symbolism, a typical trait of Romantic literature. For instance, the scarlet letter ‘A’ itself is a powerful symbol of sin and redemption.
The complexity of characters and their psychological struggles also reflect the influence of romanticism in the literary construction of ‘The Scarlet Letter’.

Remember, understanding the context of ‘The Scarlet Letter’ is essential for appreciating the motivations of characters and the themes of sin, guilt, punishment, and redemption that permeate the story. Moreover, it provides valuable insight into the societal norms of the time period, giving depth to the text’s commentary on women’s roles and individual freedom.