Some years after he was appointed surveyor of customs at Salem, then an important port, and the succession of tales which had come from his pen for so many years suddenly ceased. But during the following four years of apparent cessation of literary endeavor, he was but husbanding his forces for a final effort, and the year 1850 witnessed the publication of his masterpiece, "The Scarlet Letter," the epic of sin and remorse, by common consent the best American romance and by many held without an equal, either here or abroad. His old schoolmate, Franklin Pierce, having become President of the United States, Hawthorne was appointed Consul to Liverpool, and upon the expiration of his term spent two years traveling in France, Switzerland, and Italy. The "English Note Books" and "Our Old Home" tell of his life in England, and "The Marble Faun," one of his greatest works, is the product of his wanderings in Italy. His writings are distinguished by a wonderful power of analysis, and a singularly graceful diction. He seems in a way the incarnation of the old Puritan spirit, probes the innermost recesses of the heart, and appears to take a strange delight in the darker side of life. But he is in no sense morbid; his musings are merely the offspring of a solitary but eminently manly spirit. All through his works one realizes the dominating and all-pervading supremacy of conscience. THE MAN 1. With what historic towns do we associate the name of Hawthorne? 2. What led to his deep interest in New England lore? 3. Would you judge him to be a good business man? Why? 4. How did he happen to visit Europe? 5. Under what circumstances was "The Scarlet Letter" produced? 6. How does Hawthorne rank among American writers? 7. To what trait of character must his slow acceptance by the public be attributed? 8. Was he a Puritan? Why? STYLE AND WORKS 1. Which was the first of Hawthorne's works to attract public attention? 2. What rank does "The Scarlet Letter" hold in American literature? In world literature? 3. Wherein lies its great hold upon the human heart? 4. Name his works dealing with English life. 5. What elements of strength do you discover in his style? 6. In what respects does he resemble Poe; wherein does he differ from him? 7. Is his work indicative of his education as well as of his character? How? "THE OLD MANSE" 1. How long did Hawthorne live in the "Old Manse"? 2. Does Hawthorne show a detailed knowledge of nature? 3. What qualities must a book possess to retain its interest and value for centuries beyond its time of writing? 4. According to Hawthorne's views, what is the best remedy for a troubled mind or worn body? 5. What qualities does Hawthorne's style possess which make an otherwise uninteresting subject have such charm? 6. Notice the passages which bring out the personal character of the author. From these give a complete character sketch of the man.