Glossary

(verb) to divide or distribute by share or portion 

Hawthorne is referring to the historical Anne Hutchinson here. Hutchinson was an educated Puritan wife and mother of 15 who moved to the Massachusetts Bay Colony from England during the colonial period in America. Hutchinson was put on trial for her religious beliefs. She believed that a person could reach God on their own, while traditionalists and the leaders in her colony believed that a person could only reach God through the Bible or through ministers. Hutchinson was exiled from the colony for the religious uproar she caused. She is one of the first American feminists and supporters of religious freedom.

This figure relates directly to Hawthorne's story and protagonist.

To read more about Anne Hutchinson, go here.

(adj.) sullen in appearance; scowling

(adj.) Pleasant or agreeable because suited to one's taste or inclination.

A busy street in Boston during the 19th and 20th centuries. It stretched far and was crowded. 

Read more about Cornhill Street here.

(n.) A building, especially one of imposing appearance or size.

(n.) a fault due to weakness especially of moral character.

(adj.) unfavorable; not conducive to success.

(adverb) In every case or on every occasion; always.

Johnson was the Governor of Louisiana and lived during the 19th century. He was a politician and a lawyer. He died of a heart attack and was buried on his father's plantation- Troy Plantation. 

King's Chapel is "an independent Christian unitarian congregation affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association that is "unitarian Christian in theology, Anglican in worship, and congregational in governance."^[2] It is housed in what was formerly called "Stone Chapel", an 18th century structure at the corner of Tremont Street and School Street in Boston, Massachusetts.

Read more about King's Chapel here.

Hawthorne capitalizes Nature here in order to mark its importance. Hawthorne is referring to something beyond the human spirit. He is referring to a greater, natural power that is both powerful and beautiful. 

(adj.) Dull, laborious, or excessively solemn.

(noun) A doorway, gate, or other entrance.

(noun) A doorway, gate, or other entrance.

(noun) A small room or monument, cut in rock or built of stone, in which a dead person is laid or buried.

(verb) To represent something greater. The symbolism from this first chapter is very significant and relates to The Scarlet Letter's entire storyline. 

(noun) A strip of wood, metal, or stone forming the bottom of a doorway and crossed in entering a house or room.

(noun) A point of entry or beginning.

(noun) A large, densely packed crowd of people or animals.

(noun) An imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect.

(adj.) Unused, uncultivated, or unexplored.