Nathaniel Hawthorn started writing The Scarlet Letter in 1847 and it was
published in 1850. The Scarlet Letter is recognize by many 'critics as being one of
the greatest of American novels.'1 Hawthorn created his own individual style of
'romance,' a style of writing. His own individual style of writing is now called
'Hawthorn's Theory of Romance'. His 'theory of Romance' is emphasized in The
Scarlet Letter in many different ways. The techniques Hawthorn used in The
Scarlet Letter are basically from his 'theory of Romance.' Hawthorn uses his
'theory of Romance' in many different ways in The Scarlet Letter.
Hawthorn being a Romantic writer incorporates many characteristics of
Romanticism and also includes his 'theory of Romance' in the novel. Some
romanticism ideas he incorporates are those of heroic characters which would
include Hester Prynne 'It had the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary
relations with humanity, and enclosing her in a sphere by herself.'2
English: the medium Hester Dowden aka Hester Trave...
Hawthorn Blossom
Rosa Hester Prynne 1A heroic
character is 'bigger than those found in ordinary life' and also is strong, brave,
noble, risky and powerful. Another characteristic he includes is the writing of
mysterious events such as the adultery of Hester, the birth of Pearl and the return
of her husband Roger Chllingworth.
The uses of the 'theory of Romance' by Hawthorn follows an order. The
order is initiated by Hawthorn looking for to write on a serious topic. The topic is
the adultery of Hester, Pearls birth, the revenge by Chillingworth and the
hypocrisy of Dimmesdale. Then he chooses the setting of his characters 'On the
outskirst of town, within the verge of the peninsula, but not in close vicinity to any
other habitation, there was a small thatched cottage.'3 The small cottage is
Hester's home which is isolated from society. This is a...