Questions About The Scarlet Letter

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Answered Questions (26)

I know it's a classic and a must read and I know many of you are more intellectual readers and will enjoy. I enjoyed the historical setting, but struggled with the old english language. I'm willing to give another try. Any ideas on how I could get past the language? Should I get Cliff Notes?

Chela Just read it slowly, let the language wash over you. Don't stress that you don't understand what is being written right away. Approach it like a medit…moreJust read it slowly, let the language wash over you. Don't stress that you don't understand what is being written right away. Approach it like a meditation... we use the same words as the 19th century authors, their way is no more or no less than ours, just different. Sit with it.(less)

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Has anyone read The Scarlet Letter just for fun and not because they had to in school?

Jennifer Echelbarger-Mullins I just completed it. I'm currently trying to read the classics. I have to tell you that I didn't enjoy reading it and I'm glad I'm done.…moreI just completed it. I'm currently trying to read the classics. I have to tell you that I didn't enjoy reading it and I'm glad I'm done.(less)

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Bill Jenkins Read the last chapter entitled "Conclusion". It's all spelled out there. Some people saw one thing, some another.…moreRead the last chapter entitled "Conclusion". It's all spelled out there. Some people saw one thing, some another.(less)

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What is the first sentence of the story itself? I know it sounds really strange, but I'm confused as whether the introduction is or is not part of the actual story, and introductions to 'classics' are often full of spoilers.

Alan Cecil The Custom House is a not part of The Scarlet Letter but was included, by Hawthorne himself, as an introduction to the author more than to the novel i…moreThe Custom House is a not part of The Scarlet Letter but was included, by Hawthorne himself, as an introduction to the author more than to the novel it precedes. It is autobiographical in nature and well worth the read. The editon I have includes, after the main text, a note from Hawthorne in which he addresses this.

I just realized I didn't actually answer the question. As to what the first sentence of The Scarlet Letter is; I'll have to get back to you when I have the book in hand.(less)

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Is it worth my time ? i want to read.

Rachel The simple answer is yes. I hope you have. I am making a habit of re-reading this book. It was the only classic that had interested me in high school,…moreThe simple answer is yes. I hope you have. I am making a habit of re-reading this book. It was the only classic that had interested me in high school, but I didn't get too into it, past the way that Emma Stone's character does in Easy A. I related to it, a little superficially... Don't most teens feel like a persecuted outcast sometimes? But, the older I get and the more I experience in my life, it carries more meaning each year and the characters become more vivid to me. There's so much to glean from it. It can raise so many questions. I mean, there's food for thought in there about society, religion, spirituality, honesty, crime and punishment, morality, the separation of church and state, relationships, fidelity, friendship, parenthood, grief. If you really look there are interesting possibilities for food for thought when it comes to psychology for sure. If you enjoy imagery, and if you are a sucker for a metaphor, it definitely delivers there. Having said that, Nathaniel Hawthorne was a wordy SOB. If this is all that stops you from reading it, skip the customs house and press on.(less)

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