The Scarlet Letter in Classics Without All the Class

Jan 25, 2013 W rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: classics

I read through a lot of the reviews of this book, which was mostly negative, and i can understand why. The stigma that was attached to women in those days, and the way they were treated. Unfortunately it is a reality in our history, but thank goodness we have come a long way since.

The story of Hester Prynne is a sad, melancholy tale of so called "sin" and the consequences thereof in the 17th century Massachusetts. In one way Hester can be seen as a hero for not revealing who the father of the b I read through a lot of the reviews of this book, which was mostly negative, and i can understand why. The stigma that was attached to women in those days, and the way they were treated. Unfortunately it is a reality in our history, but thank goodness we have come a long way since.

The story of Hester Prynne is a sad, melancholy tale of so called "sin" and the consequences thereof in the 17th century Massachusetts. In one way Hester can be seen as a hero for not revealing who the father of the baby is, and in another way weak. Nathaniel describes the characters and scenes in such beautiful detail, i got lost in this story.

The tale of a mother and her anguish of being cast as an adulteress, although the word is never mentioned, captured me. The story, for me, is about being judged, wrongly, and persecuted for love. Poor Hester was a gentle, kind person, who fell in love with another man, a minister, and became pregnant by him, although she herself was married, but thought her husband had died at sea. He then returns under a false name, and extracts his revenge.

The story has so many lessons of how people judge, the scarlet letter that she wears is a symbol of hate, and how people point fingers, when they themselves could be wearing an emotional symbol, which no one can see. Unfortunately for Hester the symbol is her baby, Pearl, which has to suffer the consequences of judgement.

I did feel that Hester was on some level weak, as not to reaveal who the father is, so he too can stand on that scaffold with her, but in the end he does. The symbolism in this book is amazing. The misnister who keeps his hand over his heart, the same place wear Hester wears the scarlet letter.

Hester also has some bitterness towards Pearl, where she states that it might be better to send her to heaven. I think in this aspect Hester is wrong, but in this day and age, which parent does not get irritated or angry at their children? But obviously not to such a degree.

I loved this book, the tale of love, despair and being outcast gripped me. The ending even more sad. The characters are vivid, and you get to delve into their most inner feelings and thoughts. The time where witches were burned, and the law of religion is very interesting. It seems like an open mind was best left kept to yourself.

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