When he was engaged to marry Sophia Amelia Peabody, a painter who copied the works of famed contemporaries with “widespread praise”, Nathaniel Hawthorne was awaiting two pictures she had produced “expressly for him.” (both GOLLIN 2001: 114)1 In a letter he assured her:
I never owned a picture in my life; yet pictures have always been among the earthly possessions (and they are spiritual possessions too) which I most coveted. (…) I have often felt as if I could be a painter, only I am sure I could never handle a brush;– now my Dove will show me the images of my inward eye, beautiful and etherealized by her own spirit. (GOLLIN 2001: 115)
This essay will first try to outline whether these lines are just flattery or in how far the visual arts really played an important role in Hawthorne’s life, and since Hawthorne was of course quite able himself to lay out before the world the images of his inward eye with great success, it will then try to show what visual techniques Hawthorne incorporated in his work, particularly in his classic The Scarlet Letter. It will be seen that, rather than creating a colorful tableau, as Hawthorne was also capable of doing in other tales (GOLLIN 1991: 53)2, he creates an atmosphere in The Scarlet Letter in which “the color pattern (…) is essentially a contrast of red against black” (MATTHIESSEN 1945: 265)3, while the truly dominant technique Hawthorne puts to use is chiaroscuro, the application of light and shade.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Hawthorne and the Visual Arts
- Portraiture
- The Daguerreotype
- The Pieta
- Color or the Lack Thereof
- Light at Play
- The Moonlit Parlor
- The Bright Morning Sun
- The Revealing Midday Sun
- Utter Darkness
- The Valley of Darkness
- Opposites Attract
- The Glow
- No Sun for Hester
- The Flood of Freedom
- Love Shines Through
- Artificial Light
- The Meteor
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay examines the role of visual arts in Nathaniel Hawthorne's life and works, focusing specifically on his use of visual techniques in The Scarlet Letter. It explores how Hawthorne, inspired by portraiture, daguerreotypes, and artistic traditions like the Pieta, employed visual imagery to create atmosphere and reveal character in his writing.
- The influence of visual arts on Hawthorne's writing style.
- Hawthorne's use of light and shadow (chiaroscuro) to create atmosphere in The Scarlet Letter.
- The symbolic use of color, particularly the contrast between red and black, in conveying themes.
- The connection between portraiture and the revelation of character and sin in the novel.
- The impact of the daguerreotype's ability to capture hidden psychological truths on Hawthorne's artistic approach.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter explores Hawthorne's personal connection to visual arts, particularly through his relationship with his artist fiancée, Sophia Peabody. It establishes the essay's central argument: that Hawthorne masterfully employed visual techniques, particularly chiaroscuro and symbolic color, in The Scarlet Letter to create atmosphere and convey deeper meanings. The chapter highlights Hawthorne's ability to translate visual imagery into evocative prose, setting the stage for a detailed examination of these techniques in the subsequent chapters.
Hawthorne and the Visual Arts: This chapter delves into Hawthorne's lifelong engagement with visual arts. It begins by exploring the significance of portraiture in his life and works, highlighting how the act of portraiture—drawing forth hidden truths—became a metaphor for the novel's central theme of revelation. The chapter then examines the impact of the daguerreotype's invention on Hawthorne’s understanding of image and reality, emphasizing how the new technology's ability to capture hidden psychological drama mirrored his own artistic approach. Finally, it analyzes the deliberate use of artistic allusion, notably the Pieta, in The Scarlet Letter, demonstrating how Hawthorne engaged directly with art history to enrich his narrative.
Keywords
Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter, visual arts, portraiture, daguerreotype, chiaroscuro, light and shadow, symbolism, color, Pieta, American Romanticism, psychological realism, character revelation.
Nathaniel Hawthorne's *The Scarlet Letter*: A Visual Analysis - FAQ
What is the main topic of this essay?
This essay examines the significant role of visual arts in Nathaniel Hawthorne's life and works, specifically focusing on his masterful use of visual techniques within his novel, The Scarlet Letter. It explores how Hawthorne drew inspiration from portraiture, daguerreotypes, and artistic traditions like the Pieta to create atmosphere and reveal character through his writing.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
The essay delves into several key themes, including the influence of visual arts on Hawthorne's writing style; his use of light and shadow (chiaroscuro) to create atmosphere; the symbolic use of color, particularly the contrast between red and black; the connection between portraiture and the revelation of character and sin; and the impact of the daguerreotype's ability to capture hidden psychological truths on Hawthorne's artistic approach.
What aspects of visual arts are discussed in relation to Hawthorne's work?
The essay explores the impact of portraiture, daguerreotypes, and the artistic tradition of the Pieta on Hawthorne's writing. It analyzes how he translated these visual elements into his evocative prose, creating atmosphere and conveying deeper meaning in The Scarlet Letter.
How does the essay structure its analysis of *The Scarlet Letter*?
The essay is structured in a comprehensive manner, beginning with an introduction that establishes the central argument. Subsequent chapters delve into Hawthorne's engagement with visual arts, analyzing his use of light and shadow, color symbolism, and the connection to artistic traditions. Each chapter focuses on specific visual elements and their role in conveying the themes of the novel. A concluding chapter summarizes the findings.
What are the chapter summaries provided in the preview?
The introduction explores Hawthorne's connection to visual arts and sets the stage for the analysis. The chapter on "Hawthorne and the Visual Arts" explores portraiture, daguerreotypes, and the Pieta's influence on his writing. The remaining chapters detailed in the table of contents explore the significance of light, shadow, and color within The Scarlet Letter.
What are the objectives of the essay?
The essay aims to demonstrate how Hawthorne masterfully employed visual techniques to enrich his narrative and convey complex themes in The Scarlet Letter. It seeks to highlight the connection between his personal engagement with visual arts and his unique literary style.
What keywords are associated with this essay?
Key words include: Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter, visual arts, portraiture, daguerreotype, chiaroscuro, light and shadow, symbolism, color, Pieta, American Romanticism, psychological realism, character revelation.
What is the intended audience for this analysis?
The analysis is intended for academic use, providing a structured and professional examination of themes in The Scarlet Letter. It's geared towards scholars and students interested in American Romanticism, literary analysis, and the interplay between literature and visual arts.
- Quote paper
- Michael Helten (Author), 2006, Light at Play in Nathaniel Hawthorne's 'The Scarlet Letter', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/57025
