The Scarlet Letter (Magill Book Reviews)
At a glance:
- Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne
- First Published: 1850
- Type of Work: Historical Novel
- Genres: Long fiction, Psychological fiction
- Subjects: North America or North Americans, Northeast, U.S., Colonies or colonization, Mistaken or secret identity, Guilt, New England, Ministry or ministers, Seventeenth century, Adultery, Punishment, Good and evil, Revenge, Illegitimacy, Boston, Sermons, Gossip, Massachusetts Bay Colony, Needlepoint or needlework
- Locales: Boston, MA
The novel begins with the “Custom House” section that pretends to explain Hawthorne’s discovery of the scarlet letter that led to his narrative of the life of Hester Prynne, an adulteress--so judged by her community and compelled to wear the symbol of her iniquity. The author gives the letter itself a tangible feel, as if he could actually experience the passions that provoked Hester and her minister, Arthur Dimmesdale, to become lovers. Hawthorne’s purpose is to make readers identify with human emotions that transcend historical contexts and different value systems.
When...
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