Analysis Pages

Facts in The Scarlet Letter

Facts Examples in The Scarlet Letter:

The Custom-House




"Introductory to “the Scarlet Letter”..."   (The Custom-House)

Nathaniel Hawthorne included “The Custom-House” as an introductory essay for the original publication of The Scarlet Letter because he believed the book was too short for successful publication. While Hawthorne is the narrator of the story, it should be noted that this is a fictionalized account of Hawthorne’s time as a Custom-House Officer. Although this does not have to be read to understand the plot of The Scarlet Letter, it gives the story a historical background.

"Chaucer..."   (The Custom-House)




"Hester Prynne..."   (The Custom-House)

This is the first mention of Hester Prynne in the entire essay. Finally, as readers we understand why this story preludes the The Scarlet Letter: the A was Prynne’s almost 200 years ago and the story, is her story.

"MAIN STREET..."   (The Custom-House)

Hawthorne’s short story “Main Street” gives a reasonably accurate account of Salem in the 17th century. The story focuses on the changing roles of Native Americans in society.

"Burns..."   (The Custom-House)




"Salem..."   (The Custom-House)


"Longfellow's..."   (The Custom-House)


"Alcott..."   (The Custom-House)


"Thoreau..."   (The Custom-House)




"Emerson's..."   (The Custom-House)


"Ticonderoga..."   (The Custom-House)


"Boreas..."   (The Custom-House)


"Whigs..."   (The Custom-House)




"Quakers..."   (The Custom-House)


"Puritanic..."   (The Custom-House)


"Simon Forrester..."   (The Custom-House)

A New England ship owner of high repute who went from being a poor ship boy to a grandiose owner and became an iconic figure for a “rags to riches” American story. The allusion to Simon Forrester is ironic because while he is an example of rising success, his mention is meant to emphasize the decline of Salem’s port trading. The slow business of the Custom-House gives the narrator a lot of free time to write.





"Ann Hutchinson..."   (Chapter I)


"Elizabethan ruff..."   (Chapter II)




"King James's..."   (Chapter VIII)

King James was the King of Scotland between 1567 and 1625. He inherited the throne only one year after being born, and when he was older, he had a long, thick beard that rested on the ruffs he wore around his neck. The comparison between Governor Bellingham and King James suggests Bellingham’s high social status.

"King's Chapel..."   (Chapter IX)

King’s Chapel was the first Anglican Church in colonial New England, originally built in 1686 by the order of Governor Sir Edmund Andros. It still stands today and is historically famous for being Boston’s only burial site for 30 years between 1630 and 1660 (before the church was built). Famous people buried there include William Emerson (Ralph Waldo Emerson’s dad), John Wilson (minister of the First Church of Boston), and John Winthrop (first Puritan Governor of Massachusetts).

"Sir Kenelm Digby..."   (Chapter IX)

Sir Kenelm Digby (1603-1665) was a greatly respected natural philosopher and English diplomat, historically famous for being a Roman Catholic intellectual. He is known for having been extremely versatile in his different fields of scientific, philosophical, and religious fields of study.

"Pentecost, in tongues of flame..."   (Chapter XI)

This biblical allusion refers to the story in the Book of Acts when the twelve apostles were gathered for a feast when a powerful wind filled the room, and they all saw tongues that looked like fire. The tongues descended on each one of them, and they were then filled with the Holy Spirit.

"Apostle Eliot..."   (Chapter XVI)

This refers to the actual historical figure John Eliot (1604-1690) who was a Puritan missionary that set out to convert Native Americans to Christianity. One of his greatest legacies is a 75-acre land donation to the Eliot School with the requirement that they accept, without prejudice, Africans and Native Americans for admission. (This was extremely progressive at the time.)

"Anne Turner..."   (Chapter XX)

Anne Turner is a historical figure who was hanged for poisoning Sir Thomas Overbury in 1613. She was a widow who was accused of being a witch and practicing sorcery. When Turner was hanged for the murder, she famously wore a yellow-starched band and cuffs.

"Bristol..."   (Chapter XX)

Bristol is a city in southwest England that was the second-most prominent port in England between the 15th and 17th centuries.

"Prince of the Air..."   (Chapter XXII)

In the biblical book of Ephesians 2:2, Satan is referred to as “the prince of the power of the air” because Satan has true power in both the mundane and spiritual worlds. In this context, Mistress Hibbins uses the “Prince of the Air” to allude to the fact that Dimmesdale is evil, and his evilness is disguised by his holy appearance in their society.

"Increase Mather..."   (Chapter XXII)

Increase Mather (1639-1723) was a Puritan minister in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He was heavily involved with government operations and formation. Although he campaigned that it would be better to let witches go free than to kill an innocent person, he was criticized for not condemning all those suspected of witchcraft.

"Knights Templars..."   (Chapter XXII)

The Knights Templar was a Catholic military order from the 12th through 14th centuries. It was formed soon after the First Crusade because groups of Catholics wanted to make pilgrimages to the Holy Land and needed military escorts because the area was not safe due to the religious turmoil of the time.

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