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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- The Scarlet Letter (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
- The Scarlet Letter (Identities and Issues in Literature)
- The Scarlet Letter (Magill Book Reviews)
- The Scarlet Letter (Masterplots, Revised Second Edition)
- The Scarlet Letter (Cyclopedia of Literary Places)
- The Scarlet Letter (Magill’s Survey of American Literature, Revised Edition)
See Also:
Nathaniel Hawthorne (Cyclopedia of World Authors)Nathaniel Hawthorne (Short Fiction)Nathaniel Hawthorne (Long Fiction)Nathaniel Hawthorne (Dictionary of World Biography)Nathaniel Hawthorne (Identities and Issues)
See Also:
- - For teachers, the The Scarlet Letter Lesson Plan.
- - Read the The Scarlet Letter text online.
- - The Scarlet Letter summary and study guide in the eNotes.
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