The Scarlet Letter in Reading 1001

Apr 07, 2017 Kelly_Hunsaker_reads ... rated it really liked it

Shelves: classics, 1001-books

This book was a revelation to me! I have never read any books by Nathaniel Hawthorne, but was certainly aware of The Scarlet Letter. I knew that the main character was named Hester Prynne and that she was punished for adultery by being forced to wear a scarlet letter "A" on her chest. The premise never interested me. As a woman born and raised in the latter half of the 20th century it simply didn't appeal to me. In some estimations I am a feminist... I suppose it depends upon your definition of This book was a revelation to me! I have never read any books by Nathaniel Hawthorne, but was certainly aware of The Scarlet Letter. I knew that the main character was named Hester Prynne and that she was punished for adultery by being forced to wear a scarlet letter "A" on her chest. The premise never interested me. As a woman born and raised in the latter half of the 20th century it simply didn't appeal to me. In some estimations I am a feminist... I suppose it depends upon your definition of the word. But whatever it means I think that is the aspect of my personality that had me turning my nose up and away from reading this book. Boy was I wrong!

This story is about courage and strength. Hester Prynne may be one of my favorite characters I have met. She doesn't move away where she could raise her daughter without anyone knowing of her shame. She doesn't try to cover or hide the letter. In fact she seems to embrace it. She emblazons it with gold thread. She takes ownership of it, and Pearl is fascinated by it. There is a great deal of symbolism in this book. I won't be saying much of any of that, except one thing. I was greatly moved by the author's use of weather to highlight Hester's emotions. The sky cried when she cried. The sun shined brightly when she was frolicking in the grass with Pearl. The river becomes a character itself. Hawthorne's writing style is lyrical and poetic. At times it was difficult to follow as I was listening, and so I read a physical version along with the narrator. The combination of hearing the narrator and reading the words was wonderful.

Near the end of the story after the climax of the story I actually called out loudly to my husband: "I knew nothing about this book! I was all wrong, and I am so glad of it!" He laughed at me and asked me why. I could only say that the story surprised and the writing enchanted. Once again I am learning why certain books are considered classics. They are are not old and dull, but complex and true and beguiling. I have given myself a gift by committing to reading them!

"It is to the credit of human nature, that, except where its selfishness is brought into play, it loves more readily than it hates. Hatred, by a gradual and quiet process, will even be transformed to love, unless the change be impeded by a continually new irritation of the original feeling of hostility." Chapter 8 ...more

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Jun 27, 2018 Chinook rated it liked it

Shelves: audiobook, 1-kindle, america, 1001, parenthood

A full sixth of this book is about custom houses and their employees. It’s a long and boring beginning and I feel for generations of American students - as classics go, this one is a bit rough. It did get more interesting when they finally hit the adultery, its aftermath and the revenge.

A friend says that this book was the first where she saw and understood symbolism and that’s no little thing (for me it was The Handmaid’s Tale) and yet I wonder at something being taught to potentially reluctan ...more

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Oct 25, 2012 Cora rated it liked it

Shelves: classic, kindle, religion, america, new-england, movie, 1001-books, 17th-century, american-literature, banned-books

The Scarlet Letter is the story of a couple that commits adultery in puritan New England. Hester Prynne, whose husband has been missing for two years, has a baby as a result of the affair. Because of her circumstances (no one knows if her husband is alive) she is sentenced to wear a scarlet "A" on her breast for the rest of her life instead of executed (which is the usual sentence for adultery). Hester refuses to name the baby's father. While Hester wears the evidence of her sin every day, the b ...more

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