The first section of this paper will examine Hawthorne’s biography and historical background from which his Puritan inheritance arose in order to understand his works. After the historical background has been depicted, the focus will be set on the ambiguous illustration of the Puritan community in two of his works. Being a direct descendant of Massachusetts Baycolonists, the Puritan era of New England served as a lifelong preoccupation for Hawthorne and inspired many of his stories, especially "The Scarlet Letter" and “Young Goodman Brown”. Therefore, these two works are particularly significant in terms of their representation of Puritanism.
Table of Contents
A. Introduction: Hawthorne’s Representation of the Puritan Society
I. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Biography
II. History and Development of Puritanism
B. The Depiction of the Puritan Society
I. The Illustration of the Puritan Society in The Scarlet Letter
1. “The Custom-House”
2. An Investigation into Selected Chapters of The Scarlet Letter
II. The Portrayal of the Puritan Society in “Young Goodman Brown”
1. Historical Reference to Puritanism in “Young Goodman Brown”
2. The Depiction of Puritanism in “Young Goodman Brown”
C. Conclusion: Hawthorne’s Ambiguity towards the Puritan Society
Objectives and Research Themes
This paper explores how Nathaniel Hawthorne represents Puritan society in his literary works, specifically examining his ambivalent stance towards his own ancestors and the rigid religious framework they established. By analyzing The Scarlet Letter and "Young Goodman Brown," the study investigates how Hawthorne manages to balance harsh criticism of Puritan intolerance with an underlying sense of pride and connection to his heritage.
- Hawthorne's biographical connection to Puritan history.
- Ambiguity and the portrayal of Puritan society in fiction.
- Critical analysis of The Scarlet Letter and "Young Goodman Brown".
- The role of guilt, pride, and historical inheritance in literature.
- Contrast between dogmatic religion and human morality.
Excerpt from the Book
1. “The Custom-House”
The purpose of this chapter is to review the literature on the opposing depiction of the Puritan society. So, The Scarlet Letter’s opening chapter “The Custom-House” is a good example to show this oppositeness, since it demonstrates both embodiments: criticizing and showing veneration towards the Puritan society at the same time.
“The Custom-House”, an independent standing section in the novel, offers plenty of insights into the narrator’s feelings towards his Puritan ancestors. The first of them, William Hathorne, is described as arriving at the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630 "with his Bible and his sword" (Hawthorne 9). The storyteller continues that William Hathorne’s figure, “invested by family tradition with a dim and dusky grandeur”, has “all the Puritan traits, both good and evil” (ibid.). The narrator makes use of two opposing adjectives good and evil with regard to his relatives’ characteristics, since he wants to emphasize that there are both marvelous and malevolent Puritans. Therefore, this quote is conducive to the narrator’s appreciation of at least a few Puritan characteristics because they are not altogether sinister.
Summary of Chapters
A. Introduction: Hawthorne’s Representation of the Puritan Society: This chapter introduces the author’s biographical connection to his Puritan ancestors and outlines the intent to analyze his ambiguous literary depiction of their society.
I. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Biography: This section details Hawthorne’s descent from Salem settlers and judges, establishing the tension between his transcendentalist views and his ancestral history.
II. History and Development of Puritanism: This chapter provides a brief historical overview of the emergence of Puritanism and its specific characteristics as a radical branch of Protestantism.
B. The Depiction of the Puritan Society: This chapter serves as the analytical core, setting the stage for evaluating how Hawthorne portrays the Puritans in his narratives.
I. The Illustration of the Puritan Society in The Scarlet Letter: This section analyzes how the novel represents the structure and ideology of Puritan life in mid-seventeenth-century Boston.
1. “The Custom-House”: This chapter examines the introductory section of the novel to highlight the author’s internal conflict between criticizing the harshness of his ancestors and admiring their significance.
2. An Investigation into Selected Chapters of The Scarlet Letter: This chapter explores specific instances of Puritan repression and judgment through characters like Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale.
II. The Portrayal of the Puritan Society in “Young Goodman Brown”: This section investigates how the short story functions as a critique of religious hypocrisy and the fragility of faith.
1. Historical Reference to Puritanism in “Young Goodman Brown”: This chapter links the story’s events to the actual history of Salem and Hawthorne’s own familial involvement in the witch trials.
2. The Depiction of Puritanism in “Young Goodman Brown”: This chapter analyzes how the protagonist’s journey in the forest serves as an allegory for the loss of faith and the discovery of hidden wickedness within a "pious" society.
C. Conclusion: Hawthorne’s Ambiguity towards the Puritan Society: This chapter synthesizes the findings, concluding that Hawthorne’s work is characterized by ambivalence rather than absolute judgment.
Keywords
Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter, Young Goodman Brown, Puritanism, Salem, religious intolerance, moral ambiguity, transcendentalism, colonial history, literary analysis, guilt, faith, hypocrisy, ancestral heritage, American literature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this academic work?
The work examines Nathaniel Hawthorne’s complex and ambivalent representation of Puritan society, focusing on how he negotiates his personal connection to his Puritan ancestors through his fiction.
What are the primary thematic fields covered in the text?
Key themes include the historical reality of Puritanism, the contrast between religious dogma and human individuality, and the influence of familial history on an author’s artistic output.
What is the primary research question being addressed?
The paper seeks to demonstrate that Hawthorne’s portrayal of the Puritan society is not one of pure condemnation, but rather a balanced view that incorporates both criticism and a degree of admiration or pride.
Which scientific methods were employed for this analysis?
The study utilizes a literary analysis approach, drawing upon historical context, biographical data of the author, and critical interpretations of his primary works.
What is the scope of the main analysis section?
The main part of the paper provides a detailed, chapter-based exploration of The Scarlet Letter and the short story "Young Goodman Brown," analyzing specific passages to support the thesis of authorial ambiguity.
Which keywords best describe the essence of the work?
Keywords include Puritanism, Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter, moral ambiguity, religious hypocrisy, and ancestral inheritance.
How does the "Custom-House" chapter reveal Hawthorne's internal conflict?
The chapter reveals that Hawthorne views his ancestors as both "bitter persecutors" and "marvelous" figures, illustrating his struggle to reconcile their cruelty with his own family identity.
What role does the forest play in "Young Goodman Brown"?
The forest represents the site where the protagonist’s illusions about his community are shattered, leading to the revelation that even the most "pious" members of society are susceptible to darkness.
Why does the author conclude that "ambivalence" is the best descriptor for Hawthorne?
The author concludes that Hawthorne does not choose between a purely anti-Puritan or pro-Puritan stance; instead, he embraces the complexity of the human experience, seeing "the grey" rather than mere "black and white."
- Quote paper
- Bahar Ilk (Author), 2016, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Representation of the Puritan Society, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/380756
