Book description
An "A" for "adultery" marks Hester Prynne as an outcast from the society of colonial Boston. Although forced by the puritanical town fathers to wear a bright red badge of shame, Hester steadfastly resists their efforts to discover the identity of her baby's father. The return of her long-absent spouse…
Why read it?
3 authors picked The Scarlet Letter as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
This book by Nathaniel Hawthorne, published in 1850, is considered an American classic.
I think Hawthorne wrote this story as an attempt to understand the witchcraft frenzy of 1692 without bringing up what was still a painful topic. He was a lifelong resident of Salem, Massachusetts. His great-great-grandfather, John Hathorne, was one of the magistrates overseeing the trials. I think Hawthorne wondered how an educated magistrate could be complicit in such events, and The Scarlet Letter was his answer.
The story focuses on prejudice rather than witchcraft, but the themes of humiliation, fear, and social ostracism parallel the witchcraft frenzy.…
From Sandra's list on The best books on 17th-century persecution & witchcraft in Salem.
Hester Prynne embodies the archetype of a subjugated heroine trapped in an oppressive society, yet her story is deeply inspiring. Her resilience and quiet defiance against the hypocrisy of her community make her an incredibly compelling character.
What resonates with me most is her profound love as a mother. No matter the shame or suffering imposed upon her, the bond with her child strengthens her and affirms her unwavering sense of self-worth. Hester knows who she is and refuses to let the world define her. Her daughter, Pearl, is her anchor, her light, her “sunshine,” and the center of her…
The Scarlet Letter is dripping with diction. Nathaniel Hawthorne chooses his words so carefully during certain descriptions that my language-loving self feels jealous about his precision. This classic explores sin, as well as the dark side of the soul. A vengeful old scholar is an unusual villain, but Roger Chillingworth in The Scarlet Letter is so smart and evil.
From Brandon's list on The best books with intelligent, demented characters.
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