Independent Author Study

LIT1100 Introduction to Literature University of Northwestern – St. Paul

Individual Author Study – Nathaniel Hawthorne Directions: Review the questions below and then complete the readings and responses as directed. Type your responses in a word document and submit them in the course site. This assignment sheet is worth 75 points.

1. Read three Hawthorne short stories:

 “Young Goodman Brown”

 “The Minister’s Black Veil”

 “The Birthmark”

2. Complete the Week 9 Hawthorne Quiz in the course site.

3. Research Hawthorne online. Then, record five interesting facts from your research; make sure you fully paraphrase and cite the information. For each fact, include a proper citation. If you use the exact wording from a source, place it in quotation marks and attribution. Include an explanation of each fact as to its significance in your understanding the author’s works you read.

Fact 1:

Fact 2:

Fact 3:

Fact 4:

Fact 5:

15 points (3 points each)

4. Analyze the three short stories for literary devices, and record one example of the following devices from any of his stories that are exceptionally well-done. Quote each example (include story title and page number for citation). Then, explain the rationale for your selection. Each explanation should be at least one paragraph in length (5-12 sentences). Literary Device - Foreshadowing:

Rationale for selection:

Literary Device – Irony (do not use the example from Literary Terms 2 Note Sheet): Rationale for selection:

Literary Device – Round or Dynamic Character: Rationale for selection:

18 points (6 points each)

LIT1100 Introduction to Literature University of Northwestern – St. Paul

5. Answer the following questions taken from the Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature. Each answer should be 1-2 paragraphs (a paragraph can be between 5-12 sentences) and cite specific examples from the stories for support.

 Question #1: What does Goodman Brown’s pursuit of sin have in common with Aylmer’s quest for perfection in “The Birthmark”? How do these pursuits reveal the characters’ personalities and shed light on the theme of each story?

 Question #2: Explain how Faith in “Young Goodman Brown,” Georgiana in “The Birthmark,” and Elizabeth in “The Minister’s Black Veil” are used to reveal some truth about the central male characters in each story. Describe the similarities that you see among these women characters.

 Question #3: Compare Hawthorne’s use of symbols in “The Minister’s Black Veil” and “The Birthmark.” Which symbol do you think works more effectively to evoke the theme of its story?

18 points (6 points each)

6. Choose two of these questions and respond:

 Question 1: Note the use of symbol in either “Young Goodman Brown” or “The Minister’s Black Veil.” Examine one central symbol in detail, explaining its significance in the broader concern of the story.

 Question 2: Based upon the reading of these three stories, how did Hawthorne view our relationship to God? Do his stories reflect an emphasis on religion or a relationship and why?

 Question 3: In “Young Goodman Brown” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, what do the woods symbolize? How do they function in the story, and how do they guide the overall meaning of the story?

 Question 4: Is there one overarching theme that connects these three Hawthorne stories?

12 points (6 points each)

7. Evaluate Hawthorne by responding to the following questions:

 What makes this author worthy of study?

 What did you personally connect with in these stories or the Perspectives readings?

 What characters did you find engaging and why?

 What (if anything) challenged you as a reader concerning your faith or worldview?

Cite specific short stories and your research in your evaluation. Please write your evaluation in two to three paragraphs, using complete sentences (a paragraph can be between 5-12 sentences). 12 points