The Scarlet Letter in Around the World in 80 Books

Jul 24, 2012 Suvi rated it it was ok

Shelves: novels, _north-america, historical, 1800s

Hawthorne's novel has been extensively force-fed to unsuspecting American students, and I'm not the least bit surprised if several of those students develop a disgust towards classics, or get chills from the bare mention of The Scarlet Letter. This is so dry, dry as the Sahara, that I just have to wonder what teachers are thinking. Are there really no other more riveting American classics out there that can be enjoyed by the young?

The reading experience I had was pretty sticky, which made me spe Hawthorne's novel has been extensively force-fed to unsuspecting American students, and I'm not the least bit surprised if several of those students develop a disgust towards classics, or get chills from the bare mention of The Scarlet Letter. This is so dry, dry as the Sahara, that I just have to wonder what teachers are thinking. Are there really no other more riveting American classics out there that can be enjoyed by the young?

The reading experience I had was pretty sticky, which made me spend a lot more time than usual with a book this short. The intentionally archaic language wasn't as much a problem than the overabundant moralism, that is shoved down the reader's throat and drowns the characters. In addition, the male of the story gets a bit too much weight in a novel that's essentially about Hester and her crime. Who, by the way, is a compliant shadow, who only wins over the puritan society when she behaves like an angel, and regresses into a one-dimensional puritan prototype. Not to mention her nonexistent personality. The woman is a raven-haired image of supreme virtue, idealism, and righteousness. The man ponders in great detail, depth, maturity, and multidimensionality the meaning of sin and repentance to which his profession adds tension.

The idea was ok and some thoughts were interesting, but Hawthorne's actual execution is just horrendously dry drag. Maybe this benefits more from being the topic of discussion instead of actual reading. It's also difficult to believe that the puritans were as cold-hearted as they are described here. Maybe Hawthorne dealt with them through the 19th century lens or something.

Then again, Hawthorne may have also wanted to ease his guilt about his ancestor John Hathorne, who was the only judge in the Salem witch hunt who never regretted his actions. Either way, The Scarlet Letter smells awfully like a historical artifact, whose appreciation might partly stem from the fact that it represents the roots of Americans themselves in addition to the roots of American bestsellers. ...more

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Dec 26, 2006 Elizabeth rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, classics

Stuffy and musty. But rather smart.

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Apr 15, 2012 Anie rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, male-protagonist, male-author, 2012, female-protagonist, classics, ebooks, project-gutenberg

When I first read this book in high school, I absolutely adored it. I loved the language; I loved the characters; I felt myself deeply, deeply involved in the story. I was amazed by Hester's strength, drowned in Dimmesdale's shame with him, was terrified by Chillingworth. In the parlance of our times: intense.

Rereading this now as an adult, the book comes off more clunkily. The language seems not just old-fashioned, but a little stilted. The story is less enthralling. And yet, I find myself stil ...more

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