American Literature(6)

• Nathaniel Hawthorne (born Nathaniel Hathorne;  1804 – 1864) was an American novelist and short story writer.

 His ancestors include John Hathorne, the only judge involved in the Salem witch trials who never repented of his actions. Nathaniel later added a "w" to make his name "Hawthorne" in order to hide this relation.

 His fiction works are considered part of the Romantic movement and, more specifically, Dark romanticism. His themes often center on the inherent evil and sin of humanity, and his works often have moral messages and deep psychological complexity.  

• The Scarlet Letter (1850)

 The Scarlet Letter is an 1850 romantic work of fiction in a historical setting, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It is considered to be his magnum opus.

 Set in 17th-century Puritan Salem, Massachusetts during the years 1642 to 1649, it tells the story of Hester Prynne, who conceives a daughter through an adulterous affair and struggles to create a new life of repentance and dignity. Throughout the book, Hawthorne explores themes of legalism, sin, and guilt.

•  Vocabulary

1. metaphor  比喻
2. mansion  邸
3. armor  盔甲
4. vigils   守夜儀式
5. executed  執行
6. acknowledge  認知
7. seamstress  裁縫
8. encounter  遭遇
9. manual  手冊
10. script/describe/description/transcript腳本/說明/描述/成績單
11. illicit  非法的
12. botanical  植物
13. customs offocer   稽查

• American Dream

 The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States, a set of ideals in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, and an upward social mobility achieved through hard work.

• second to none： better than everything else.

This is an excellent car—second to none.
 Her suggestion was second to none, and the manager accepted it eagerly.

• Make Way for Ducklings

 Make Way for Ducklings is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey.The book tells the story of a pair of mallard ducks who decide to raise their family on an island in the lagoon in Boston Public Garden, a park in the center of Boston, Massachusetts.

The book's popularity led to the construction of a statue by Nancy Schön in the Public Garden of the mother duck and her eight ducklings, which is a popular destination for children and adults alike.

Make Way for Ducklings statue in Boston's Public Garden 

 

• The Omni Parker House

 The Omni Parker House (built 1927) is a hotel in Boston, Massachusetts, currently owned by Omni Hotels.

The hotel was home to the Saturday Club, also referred to as the Saturday Night Club, which consisted of literary dignitaries such as Charles Dickens, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. John Wilkes Booth was also once a guest at the hotel. 

The Parker House invented Massachusetts’ state dessert – Boston cream pie – and the Parker House roll; and coined the term "scrod".