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Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

nathaniel hawthorne karin jacobson

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In the CliffsComplete guides, the novel's "complete" text and a glossary appear side-by-side with coordinating numbered lines to help you understand unusual words and phrasing. You'll also find all the commentary and resources of a standard CliffsNotes for Literature."CliffsComplete The Scarlet Letter" is a novel of betrayal and trials. Hester Prynne is found guilty of adultery and must wear a scarlet "A" wherever she goes. Her story is filled with the slow process of redemption and eventual love.

Discover what happens to Hester -- and save valuable studying time -- all at once. Enhance your reading of "The Scarlet Letter" with these additional features: A summary and insightful commentary for each chapterBibliography and historical background on the author, Nathaniel HawthorneA look at the historical context and structure of the novelDiscussions on the novel's symbols and themesA character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the charactersReview questions, a quiz, discussion topics (essay questions), activity ideasA Resource Center full of books, articles, films, and Internet sites

Streamline your literature study with all-in-one help from CliffsComplete guides

242 pages, Paperback

First published March 16,1850
Places
boston massachusetts, massachusetts, the united states of america, 

This edition

Format
242 pages, Paperback
Published
April 15, 2001 by CliffsNotes
ISBN
9780764587245
ASIN
0764587242
Language
English
Characters More characters

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About the author

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nathaniel hawthorne

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Nathaniel Hawthorne was a 19th century American novelist and short story writer. He is seen as a key figure in the development of American literature for his tales of the nation's colonial history.

Shortly after graduating from Bowdoin College, Hathorne changed his name to Hawthorne. Hawthorne anonymously published his first work, a novel titled Fanshawe, in 1828. In 1837, he published Twice-Told Tales and became engaged to painter and illustrator Sophia Peabody the next year. He worked at a Custom House and joined a Transcendentalist Utopian community, before marrying Peabody in 1842. The couple moved to The Old Manse in Concord, Massachusetts, later moving to Salem, the Berkshires, then to The Wayside in Concord. The Scarlet Letter was published in 1850, followed by a succession of other novels. A political appointment took Hawthorne and family to Europe before returning to The Wayside in 1860. Hawthorne died on May 19, 1864, leaving behind his wife and their three children.

Much of Hawthorne's writing centers around New England and many feature moral allegories with a Puritan inspiration. His work is considered part of the Romantic movement and includes novels, short stories, and a biography of his friend, the United States President Franklin Pierce.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 99 votes)
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99 reviews All reviews
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Warfoki
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Hester walked across the room.

She stepped firmly upon her left foot first, then her right foot, and then her left foot again.

One cannot help but wonder, why in this particular instance of walking across the room, did she commence her journey upon the left foot and not the right?

Could it be due to her terrible sin?

Might it be that the devil, as he is known to inform the left hand and those bewitched, left-handed persons among us, also informeth the left foot?

Why, indeed, doth the left foot of sin drag the innocent right foot along its wretched journey from one side of the room to the other?

She walked across the room, I tell you!

It seems that her guilty feet hath got no rhythm, as if they are burdened by the weight of her transgressions.

Each step is a reminder of the sin that haunts her, a sin that she can never escape.

As she crosses the room, her footsteps echo in the silence, a solemn testament to her fallen state.
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dorayakichann_
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Scarlet Letter: A Romance is a remarkable 1850 novel that stands as a classic work of historical fiction. Authored by the renowned American writer Nathaniel Hawthorne, it is widely regarded as his "masterwork". Set in the 17th-century Puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony, specifically during the years 1642 to 1649, the story revolves around Hester Prynne. Hester conceives a daughter through an affair and then has to endure the consequences as she strives to build a new life filled with repentance and dignity. Throughout the book, Hawthorne delves deep into profound themes such as legalism, sin, and guilt. The various translations and editions of this novel in Iran, with titles like "داغ ننگ" and "زنی با نشان قرمز", showcase its wide reach and impact. The plot is rich and engaging, with Hester's unwavering courage and dignity in the face of society's condemnation being a central focus. As the story progresses, Hester's actions gradually change the perception of the community towards her, and in the end, the letter "A" on her chest takes on a new meaning, representing "Angel" instead of "Adulteress".

This novel is a thought-provoking exploration of human nature and the power of redemption.
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ultrafloral
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Oh god.

Hawthorne is that perpetually needy manchild of a writer. You know the one who peers over your shoulder while you're trying to read and keeps pointing out the parts of his own writing that he finds particularly good and/or moving.

"Yeah, see? Do you see? See how I talked about how the rose is red, and then I talk about how Hester's 'A' is red, too? Do you see what I'm trying to do here, with the symbolism?"

And it's like that all the way through the book.

*Edit 12 September 2008: I'm tutoring with this for one of my students, as her AP English teacher is teaching it as part of his curriculum. And yes, it still sucks as badly as I remember. Actually, even more so, because now I have to teach it. The constant self-promotion and the overemphasis on symbolism can be quite tiresome. It makes the reading experience feel more like a lecture than an enjoyable exploration of a story. I find myself having to explain and defend Hawthorne's choices to my student, which can be a challenge when I don't necessarily agree with them myself. However, I understand the importance of teaching this classic work, and I will do my best to help my student understand its significance.
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anaract
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This book is about a preacher's sperm.

It contains characters who are uptight.

The story likely delves into the complex and perhaps unexpected circumstances surrounding the preacher's sperm and how it impacts the lives of those involved.

We can imagine the various emotions and conflicts that might arise among the uptight individuals as they grapple with the situation.

Maybe there are secrets that are revealed, relationships that are tested, and personal growth that occurs as a result of this unique premise.

The book could offer a thought-provoking exploration of human nature, morality, and the consequences of actions.

It might also provide an opportunity for readers to reflect on their own attitudes towards sexuality, religion, and the unexpected turns that life can take.

Overall, this book seems to have the potential to be a captivating and engaging read that will leave readers with much to discuss and consider.
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facu6789
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The story is not bad.

However, the style is unreadable.

Here is the kind of people to whom I would recommend this book.

It would be those who have a penchant for sentences that pack in four or five thoughts and are of paragraph length.

Consequently, these sentences are nearly impossible to understand.

By the time one reaches the end of the sentence, the beginning and whatever meaning it initially contained have been forgotten, and thus the point is lost.

This makes the reading experience rather challenging and perhaps only suitable for a specific niche of readers who enjoy grappling with such complex and convoluted writing styles.

Nevertheless, it's important to note that just because the style is difficult doesn't necessarily mean the story itself lacks merit.

It's a matter of personal preference and whether one is willing to invest the time and effort to untangle the web of words and ideas presented in the book.
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Aviotes
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Actually, I've read this book twice.

The first time was when I was in high school. Reading it again after some thirty years, I was truly amazed at the vast amount of meaning that I had missed during that initial reading!

Most modern readers are completely unaware (and definitely not taught in school) that Hawthorne, as his fiction, essays, and journals clearly demonstrate, was a devout Christian. Despite this, he firmly refused to affiliate with any particular denomination. Here, his central subject is none other than the central theme of the Christian gospel: the guilt of sin and the possibility of forgiveness. (Unlike many modern individuals, Hawthorne does not view Hester's adultery as completely acceptable and excusable. However, he also does not consider it an unforgivable sin.) But his faith was of a resolutely Arminian nature. And as he makes abundantly clear, it is extremely difficult for sinners trapped in the opposing, Calvinist tradition to embrace repentance and redemption when their religious beliefs convince them that they may not be among the pre-chosen "elect." (It is no coincidence that his setting is 17th-century New England, the very heartland of an unadulterated, unquestioned Calvinism whose grip on people's minds was far more unyielding than it had become in his own time.) If you are not deterred by 19th-century diction, this book is an absolute delight to read. It is filled with marvelous symbolism and a masterful evocation of the atmosphere of the setting. The occasional hints of the possibly supernatural add an extra layer of flavor to the whole, much like salt in a stew. Highly recommended!
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brucelce
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I came across my old high school review of this book, and here is a small part of my assessment.

Apologies in advance: If there is a hell, Hawthorne is the devil's sidekick. The moment you realize you're in hell, burning and facing an eternity of this, the first thing you're handed is this book. And you have to write a 10-page paper extolling the wonderful virtues of this huge waste of time. After you've completed writing (with your own blood, mind you) your silly paper, you're given another essay topic related to this same dull book. Congratulations, this is what you'll be doing forever.

Haha, I really didn't like this book in high school, and it's part of the reason why I've always been hesitant about US literature, especially the classics.

Now that I'm a teacher, I'm going to revisit this behemoth of high school trauma and approach it with as open a mind as possible. I did the same with "The Old Man and the Sea" (I remember hating that book when I read it in my freshman year), and the second time around, I liked it!

I didn't like either book because my teachers didn't do a good job of convincing me. There was little to no background, no setup, no explanation as to why we should read it - other than "ED Hirsch said you have to, so go read it."

Teaching 101: never have your students read a book that you yourself don't enjoy. I think my teachers disliked both books, and it influenced their students.
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gbupp
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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✩ 5 stars
~
This book was truly a remarkable find for my high school junior year great books class.

It was definitely a fun, interesting, and good read. From the very first page, it captured my attention and held it throughout. The story was engaging, filled with vivid characters and a plot that kept me on the edge of my seat.

What I loved most about this book was how it made me think. It presented complex ideas and themes in a way that was accessible and thought-provoking. It challenged my assumptions and made me look at the world from different perspectives.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read. Whether you're a student or just someone who loves a good story, this book is sure to delight. It's a must-read for anyone interested in literature and the power of words.
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