Nathaniel Hawthorne
Lesson plans for The Scarlet Letter and other works

|Biography and Background| |"Dr. Heidegger's Experiment"| |"The Minister's Black Veil"| |The Scarlet Letter| |"Young Goodman Brown"| |Other short stories|

First Encounters: Herman Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne
A short article about how the two men met.

Hawthorne: Author and Narrator from EdSitement
Students recognize the difference between a narrator and an author and explore the impact of an author's personal history on his or her creative life, particularly in the context of American society.

Hawthorne in Salem
A good source of biographical and background information. Don't miss the Scholar's Forum.

Hawthorne's Salem
A virtual tour of Salem, Massachusetts.

Nathaniel Hawthorne
Classroom issues and strategies; major themes, historical perspectives, and personal issues; significant form, style, or artistic conventions; suggestions about understanding the original audience of his work; and links to related authors.

Nathaniel Hawthorne
Brief biography and links to several e-texts.

"Nathaniel Hawthorne in The Atlantic Monthly"
Background information about Hawthorne's experience with The Atlantic Monthly.

Dr. Heidegger's Lab Report
What if "that very singular man, old Dr. Heidegger," had written a lab report of his findings? A writing assignment.

"Dr. Heidegger's Experiment"
This 7-page document addresses 20 vocabulary words drawn from the story. Adobe Reader or compatible application required for access.

Explicating a symbol: the case of Hawthorne's "The Minister's Black Veil" Lecture notes and a diagram.

"The Minister's Black Veil"
Fifteen questions for writing and/or discussion.

"The Minister's Black Veil"
This 7-page document addresses 25 vocabulary words drawn from the story. Adobe Reader or compatible application required for access.

Reading Guide for Hawthorne's "The Minister's Black Veil" Vocabulary words and a dozen comprehension questions.

"The Minister's Black Veil"
The text of the story with interactive vocabulary support and questions for discussion.

Bio Poem Assignment
Students analyze character and symbolism in The Scarlet Letter by writing a bio poem.

Book-a-Minute Classics: The Scarlet Letter
Just for laughs: the novel condensed to a one-minute read.

Deceit, Despair, and Dejection: Connecting Speak and The Scarlet Letter
Graffitti questions, discussion questions, sample writing prompts, and related Websites.

Hester Prynne and Monica Lewinsky -- shunning in society
Students consider modern figures who are shunned and compare them to Hester.

Interactive Approach to The Scarlet Letter
Students try to get a sense of the daily lives of Puritans by conducting research and by reading Anne Bradstreet's poem "On the Burning of our House."

Knowing your ABC's
An alphabet activity that can also be adapted to other novels.

The Scarlet Letter
Five activities, complete with handouts. This 23-page curriculum guide requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

The Scarlet Letter Character Analysis
This handout details the requirements of a writing assignment. MS-Word or compatible application is required for access.

The Scarlet Letter Download class handouts
Links to an online text, biography, and excellent teacher-designed materials.

The Scarlet Letter
Vocabulary, focus questions, additional links, and classroom activities. Materials are available for download.

The Scarlet Letter
An extensive teacher guide. This 23-page document requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

The Scarlet Letter
Summary, suggestions for related reading, and a link to an extensive teacher's guide. The teacher's guide requires Adobe Reader or equivalent application.

The Scarlet Letter
This 25-page document addresses 166 vocabulary words drawn from the novel. Adobe Reader or compatible application required for access.

The Scarlet Letter
Julian Hawthorne's review of the novel, dated 1886 and published in The Atlantic Monthly.

The Scarlet Letter Scandal Project
Students research other people who have been shunned as the object of scandal, select a letter for each, and explain why. The page includes a list of people students might investigate.

The Scarlet Letter: Suggested Essay Topics
These essay questions relate to specific sections of the novel.

Teacher's Guide to The Scarlet Letter
Overview, biography, learning activities. Requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

Vocabulary from The Scarlet Letter
Two lists totalling 65 words.

"Young Goodman Brown"
Students practice close reading and annotation. Includes text, handouts.

"Young Goodman Brown"
Plot summary, themes, symbols, more.

Nathaniel Hawthorne, "Young Goodman Brown"
Nine questions for discussion and/or writing. This document requires MS-Word or equivalent application for access.

"Chiefly About War Matters"
Text of an essay published in The Atlantic Monthly in 1862.

"My Kinsman, Major Molineaux"
This 8-page document addresses 27 vocabulary words drawn from the story. Adobe Reader or compatible application required for access.

"Rappaccini's Daughter"
Text of the story with guided reading questions in the right margin and at the end. This 29-page document requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

Science and Technology -- Monsters we have Created
Designed to go with Shelley's Frankenstein and Hawthorne's "The Birthmark," could be used with either one alone.