Introduction

(Hailed by Henry James as "the finest piece  of imaginative writing yet put forth in the  country," Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet  Letter reaches to our nation's  historical and moral roots for the material of great  tragedy. Set in an early New England colony, the novel  shows the terrible impact a single, passionate act  has on the lives of three members of the  community: the defiant Hester Prynne; the fiery, tortured  Reverend Dimmesdale; and the obsessed, vengeful  Chillingworth.

With The Scarlet  Letter, Hawthorne became the first American  novelist to forge from our Puritan heritage a  universal classic, a masterful exploration of  humanity's unending struggle with sin, guilt and pride.

Editorial Review

No editorial review at this time.

Excerpt

Chapter 1

The Prison-Door

A throng of bearded men, in sad-colored garments, and gray, steeple-crowned hats, intermixed with women, some wearing hoods and others bareheaded, was assembled in front of a wooden edifice, the door of which was heavily timbered with oak, and studded with iron spikes. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

Suggested by Members

by [email protected] (see profile) 06/04/16

Weblinks

»	Publisher's Book Info
»	Reading Guide From the Publisher
»	Discussion Questions, Teachers' Guide Three separate sets of questions and suggestions to explore the themes of the book.

Book Club Recommendations

Recommended to book clubs by 0 of 0 members.

by sparklenana (see profile) 04/25/15

Member Reviews

Rate this book