Cqmbell Test Hawthorne Flashcards
What significant event happened to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s father during his childhood?
His father died when Nat was a child
This event contributed to his family’s isolation.
From which historical group did Nathaniel Hawthorne’s family descend?
Puritan founders
They viewed themselves as aristocrats.
What role did Nathaniel Hawthorne’s ancestor play in American history?
Judge at Salem witch trials
This connection influenced Hawthorne’s writing.
Where did Nathaniel Hawthorne attend college?
Bowdoin College in Maine
He made friends with Franklin Pierce there.
How long did Nathaniel Hawthorne live at home after college?
12 years
During this time, he focused on reading and writing in solitude.
What change did Nathaniel Hawthorne make to his last name, and why?
Changed Hathorne to Hawthorne to distance himself from his family’s past
This was in relation to the Salem witch trials.
What does the term ‘patronage system’ refer to in the context of publishing?
Buyers buy before publication
This system contrasts with the publishing system where works are published first.
What significant transition occurred in the publishing industry during Hawthorne’s lifetime?
From scarcity to abundance
This transition allowed authors to dream of making a name and fortune.
What was the initial sales figure for The Scarlet Letter during Nathaniel Hawthorne’s lifetime?
7800 copies
Despite being a critical success, sales were limited.
What type of novels were popular during the time of The Scarlet Letter’s publication?
Sentimentalist novelists
This genre overshadowed Hawthorne’s work initially.
In what year was The Scarlet Letter published?
1850
This was one of Hawthorne’s most notable works.
What consulship position did Nathaniel Hawthorne secure through his friend Franklin Pierce?
Consulship in Liverpool
This helped alleviate his financial struggles.
What professional position did Nathaniel Hawthorne hold before writing The Scarlet Letter?
Worked in the Salem Custom House
He was fired when the Whigs took over.
What is the primary genre of The Scarlet Letter as defined by Hawthorne?
Romance
Hawthorne intended it to depict the inner lives of characters influenced by Puritan legacy.
What does Nathaniel Hawthorne mean by stating that all fiction reflects the era in which it is written?
All fiction is about the era in which it is written, not when it is set
The Scarlet Letter is set ~200 years before its publication.
