The Scarlet Letter

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 1804-1864

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a novel written in the mid-19th century. The story is set in Puritan Massachusetts and revolves around the themes of sin, punishment, and societal judgment. The main character, Hester Prynne, finds herself at the center of a moral crisis after bearing an illegitimate child, a consequence for which she is publicly shamed and forced to wear a scarlet letter 'A' as a symbol of her shame. The opening of the novel presents the grim setting of a prison door in a Puritan community, where a crowd gathers to witness the punishment of Hester Prynne. Described is the somber atmosphere filled with townspeople, particularly women, eager to judge and condemn Hester. As she emerges from the prison with her infant, she clutches the child tightly, showcasing both her defiance and vulnerability. The letter 'A' on her dress becomes a focal point, representing the complex interplay of sin and identity within the constraints of rigid societal constructs. As readers are introduced to the town's harsh attitudes, they are invited to reflect on themes of guilt, isolation, and the human spirit as Hester navigates her new reality. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Dartmouth College

Notes:

There is an improved edition of this title, eBook #25344

Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scarlet_Letter

Reading ease score: 64.4 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.

Release date is 1992-06-01