Introduction
Literature often mirrors aspects of real life, as the characters are influenced by the religious and social customs of the period in which they live. Through researching various aspects of Puritan life in America during the seventeenth century, you will gain insight into the setting, characters, and conflicts that are present in The Scarlet Letter. You will also see the parallels to modern day life that makes this work of literature timeless.
Task
- In preparation for reading Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, you will research the various aspects of Puritan life in the 1600s, as well as author's biography. You will explore how the Puritan's outlook on life contributes to the themes in the novel.