The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, was a book of many meanings. Thenovel paralleled to Hawthorne’s life, particularly his childhood. He used The Scarlet Letter as aphysiological vent. Hawthorne’s life is greatly reflected throughout the novel. Hawthorne lefttraces of his home town’s atmosphere, his psychological well-being, his family life and his habits. Hawthorne lived a life of guilt in the puritan ages as did his main character, Hester Prynne. Hewas also against the puritan government for a portion of his life, as are the two lovers,Dimmesdale and Hester. Hawthorne was a secluded child after his father died. He was verysheltered from the real world; therefore, forced to stay within the realms of his mother’s side. Themeteorology, setting, politics, and anthropology in The Scarlet Letter refers in some way toHawthornes life.Hawthorne loved nature with a passion, it was his joy. When he was younger he had anaccident playing ball and was forced to stay inside for a long period of his childhood; thisoccurrence only caused his love for the outdoors to grow. The woods in which Hawthorne played in are very similar to the woods on the out skirts of the town in The Scarlet Letter. Hawthorne’s love for the wilderness is greatly shown throughout the novel; Considering themajority of the novel takes place in the outdoors. Pearl, one of the main characters, who isparalleled to Hawthorne, feels safe in the woods and sunshine. It is in the woods where Pearlfinds her happiness, playing alone just as Hawthorne did as a boy. Salem, where Hawthornegrew up, had a climate very similar to Boston’s where the novel supposedly took place. In TheScarlet Letter, Hawthorne tries to create the same climate as his childhood, setting the seen for aninterpretation of his childhood.Gray 2The Scarlet Letter’s plot took place in Boston around the 1640’s. The Boston Hawthornecreated in ...
