This muttidisciptinary study of the novel contains historical documents, collateral readings, and commentary. In short, it is the ideal companinn for students who wish to fully understand the novel in the context of its time.

Upon its publication in 1850. The Scarlet Letter shocked tile nation by boldly confronting“forbidden” topics including sexual misconduct of society's leaders, the plight of single mothers, the separation of church and state,Now. no study of Ammican histow is complete without thorough examination of Nathaniel Hawthorne's timek ss masterpiece. This muttidisciptinary study of the novel contains historical documents, collateral readings, and commentary. In short, it is the ideal companinn for students who wish to fully understand the novel in the context of its time. and to unlock its current relevance. Among the materials are original I7th-century documents that illuminate Puritan attitudes and bring the Salem witchcraft trials to life, private journals, historical reports. 19h-centrury, magazine articles, sketches, and newspaper stories. Many of the documents are available in no other prinledform. Not only do lhese materials provide a taste of 17th-century Puritan culture.but they also glimpse to Hawthorne's mind as he conies to terms with his witch-hunting ancestors and his vocation, Most importantly, this casebook contemplates the many issues raised by The Scorlet Letter which inextricably link the 17th-ccnturv Putians to the 19th-centnry culture of Hawthorne to the present. Introduction

1. A Literary Analysis of The Scarlet Letter

2. The Scarlet Letter and the Puritans

3. The Puritan Mind

 From The Diary of Michael Wigglesworth (1631)

4. Crime and Punishment in Massachusetts Bay

5. Anne Hutchinson and Hester Prynne

 From John Winthrop, History of New England from1630-1649 (1853)

 From Cotton Mather, Magnalia Christi Americana(1698)

 From A Report on the Trial of Mrs. Anne Hutchinson Before the Church in Boston (March, 1638)

6. Witchcraft and The Scarlet Letter

 From William E. Woodard, ed., Records of Salem Witchcraft (1864)

 From Cotton Mather, The Wonders of the Invisible World (1693)

 From“Letter of Thomas Brattle, F.R.S.” (1692)

 From The Diary of Samuel Sewall (1697)

7.“The Custom-House”: Hawthorne, the Nineteenth Century, and The Scarlet Letter

 From“A Review of 'The Custom-House'” (March, 1850)

 From George Bishop, New England Judged by the Spirit of the Lord (1659)

 From Charles W. Upham, Salem Witchcraft with an

Account of Salem Village, and A History of Opinions on Witchcraft and Kindred Subjects (1867)

8.“A” Is for Artist: The Creative Struggles of Nathaniel Hawthorne

 From“Laws Against Excess in Apparel,” Records of the Massachusetts Bay in New England (1651)

 From Cotton Mather, Manuductio Ad Ministerium (1726)

 From Timothy Dwight,“Letter on Fashionable Education” (1821)

 From Noah Webster,“Letter to a Young Gentleman Commencing His Education” (1843)

 From“The Scarlet Letter” (1850)

 From“The Scarlet Letter” (1850)

 From Orestes Brownson,“Literary Notices and Criticisms” (1850)

 From Arthur Cleveland Coxe,“The Writings of Hawthorne” (1851)

 From Andrew Preston Peabody,“Nathaniel Hawthorne”(1853)

9. The Scarlet Letter: Issues in the 1980s and 1990s

 From“Unwed Mothers: The Scarlet Letter Returns in Pink”

 From“Quayle Deplores Eroding Values; Cites TV Show”

 From“One Last Column: Writer Details Where He Failed”

 From“Bakker, Evangelist, Resigns His Ministry over Sexual Incident”

 From“Preachers' Battle Transfixing the South”

 From“Pastor Tells of Guilt over Introducing Pair”

 From“Bakker's Troubles Test Faith at Religious Resort”

 From“TV Ministry Lists '85 Income”

 From“Swaggart Is Subject of Investigation by His Church”

 From“Swaggart Says He Has Sinned, Will Step Down”

 From“The Phallic Pulpit”

Glossary

Index