History and Influences of History and Influences of Hawthorne’s TimeHawthorne’s Time

The World in the 1850’sThe World in the 1850’sPolitical:Political:

Battles in Kansas between proslavery and “Free-State” settlers. Battles in Kansas between proslavery and “Free-State” settlers. (Foreshadowing the American Civil War. )(Foreshadowing the American Civil War. )

The Indian Mutiny- a revolt against British rule in India The Indian Mutiny- a revolt against British rule in India Crimean war Crimean war Compromise of 1850 Compromise of 1850

Scientific Changes: Scientific Changes:

Charles Darwin publishes The Origin of Species giving the world the theory of Charles Darwin publishes The Origin of Species giving the world the theory of evolution evolution Epidemiology begins Epidemiology begins Solar flares are discovered Solar flares are discovered

Industrial Changes: Industrial Changes:

Production of the Bessemer process revolutionized steel production Production of the Bessemer process revolutionized steel production First transpacific telegraph cable laid First transpacific telegraph cable laid First safety elevator installed First safety elevator installed Railroads began to replace canals Railroads began to replace canals First commercially successful sewing machine First commercially successful sewing machine

Britain enters a “Golden Age” of prosperity Britain enters a “Golden Age” of prosperity

- Discovery was big at this time with both explorations and inventions.- Discovery was big at this time with both explorations and inventions.

Religion in the 1850’sReligion in the 1850’s Around 1850, America was experiencing the Second Great Around 1850, America was experiencing the Second Great

AwakeningAwakening• The dominant form of Christianity became evangelical ProtestantismThe dominant form of Christianity became evangelical Protestantism• Membership in the major Protestant churches soared Membership in the major Protestant churches soared • Evangelicalism emphasized that everyone could bring about their own Evangelicalism emphasized that everyone could bring about their own

salvation salvation Shows the emerging American belief in individualism Shows the emerging American belief in individualism

Transcendentalism became a popular way of thinkingTranscendentalism became a popular way of thinking• American transcendentalists emphasized feeling over reason and American transcendentalists emphasized feeling over reason and

sought a strong communion with nature sought a strong communion with nature They believed this would allow them to overcome the material world and They believed this would allow them to overcome the material world and

become closer to Godbecome closer to God

Pre-Civil War, America was experiencing many new reforms, Pre-Civil War, America was experiencing many new reforms, including religious onesincluding religious ones• Religious, utopian communities were formed in order to achieve a Religious, utopian communities were formed in order to achieve a

greater spiritual unity greater spiritual unity

The Shakers and the Oneida were very prominent utopian communitiesThe Shakers and the Oneida were very prominent utopian communities• Both had very different ideas, yet both emphasized religionBoth had very different ideas, yet both emphasized religion

Hawthorne’s View On . . .Hawthorne’s View On . . . Contrary to the exacting social realism that ruled Contrary to the exacting social realism that ruled

over European literature in the 1800s, Nathanial over European literature in the 1800s, Nathanial Hawthorne wrote about sin, guilt, adultery, and Hawthorne wrote about sin, guilt, adultery, and hypocrisy with allegories and emphasis on hypocrisy with allegories and emphasis on supernatural things.supernatural things.

AdulteryAdultery- Unlike his contemporaries, Hawthorne, though not - Unlike his contemporaries, Hawthorne, though not condoning adultery, did not condemn the people who condoning adultery, did not condemn the people who committed it. His views differed from his peers because of committed it. His views differed from his peers because of his Puritan background and connections with the Salem his Puritan background and connections with the Salem Witch Trials, and his own personal feelings about said Witch Trials, and his own personal feelings about said connections.connections.

Adultery committed by women was heavily looked down Adultery committed by women was heavily looked down upon since she was considered property of the manupon since she was considered property of the man

In 1857 men gained the right to divorce his wife if she In 1857 men gained the right to divorce his wife if she committed adultery. committed adultery.

Hawthorne’s View On . . .(cont.) Hawthorne’s View On . . .(cont.) CrimeCrime

In order to stop crime in the 1850’s many In order to stop crime in the 1850’s many criminals were hung criminals were hung

The court cases were very brief because the The court cases were very brief because the judges had more power and made the verdict. judges had more power and made the verdict.

Guilt and SinGuilt and Sin usually came from your religious usually came from your religious back ground. At the time the Puritans were very back ground. At the time the Puritans were very strict about their religion and its rules that should strict about their religion and its rules that should be followed. With each sin, guilt followed. Some be followed. With each sin, guilt followed. Some people confessed their sins, but some people people confessed their sins, but some people didn’t. If a man or woman’s sinful act was didn’t. If a man or woman’s sinful act was discovered they would have to face the discovered they would have to face the punishmentpunishment