Question

The Scarlet Letter- Custom House, Please help meeee, thank you.

1. How does Hawthorne feel about the community of Salem? Give an example to support your claim.


2. Why does Hawthorne compare himself to his ancestors and take their shame on himself? What attitude does he have towards their religion?



3. Why does Hawthorne tel readers The Scarlet Letter is based on a real piece of cloth and a historical manyscript he found while working at Custom House? What does he do with the letter and what does this reveal about his character and the signigficance of the letter ifself?


4. How is the work of a "romance- writer" different from the work of other writers? Why did Hawthorne find it so difficult to write a romance?

Answer 1

I'd be happy to help with your questions about Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter."

1. **Hawthorne's Feelings About the Community of Salem:** Hawthorne has mixed feelings about the community of Salem. On one hand, he is critical of the Puritanical and rigid nature of the society, as he often portrays it as repressive and judgmental. For example, he describes the Puritan founders as "grim, dark" men. On the other hand, he seems to have a sense of fascination and attachment to the community's history and traditions. He appreciates its historical significance, as seen in his descriptions of the old Custom House.

2. **Hawthorne's Comparison to His Ancestors:** Hawthorne takes the shame of his ancestors upon himself as a way of connecting with and acknowledging his family's history and their role in the Salem witch trials. He has a complex attitude toward their religion, respecting their devoutness but also acknowledging the dark and judgmental aspects of Puritanism.

3. **The Basis for "The Scarlet Letter":** Hawthorne tells readers that "The Scarlet Letter" is based on a real piece of cloth and a historical manuscript he found while working at the Custom House. This revelation serves to blend fiction with history, blurring the line between reality and imagination. His decision to use these elements in his narrative reveals his creative approach to storytelling, adding layers of authenticity to his fictional work.

4. **The Work of a "Romance-Writer" vs. Other Writers:** Hawthorne distinguishes himself as a "romance-writer," which sets him apart from writers of purely realistic or factual works. He finds it difficult to write a romance because it requires weaving elements of fantasy and symbolism into the narrative while maintaining a level of emotional truth. This difficulty reflects his desire to explore deeper psychological and moral themes in his writing, which is characteristic of his style in "The Scarlet Letter."

These answers should provide you with some insights into Hawthorne's perspective and the themes he explores in the introduction of "The Scarlet Letter."