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3.19 AVERAGE
3.19 AVERAGE
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After Hester has been imprisoned and pilloried the book explains why she stayed, but never say how she would go elsewhere or how she would pay to get there.
And while she feels bad for not telling him at any point in seven years that he’s been hanging out with Hester’s husband, in those self same seven years Arthur’s hasn’t admitted that Pearl is his child, and he hasn’t helped Hester out.
Chapter 19 Arthur says he sees his own features in Pearl’s face, but in the 1600s most people didn’t have mirrors. More likely is he would have seen his family’s faces. And this is why I can’t read some books, this sort of observation interrupts my reading.
Disturbingly they us the term “The black man” to mean satan. That’s terrible. They also use the term The prince of the air also for satan. Weirdly I’d have thought that was Jesus but what do I know.
Arthur gives sermon while Hester is stuck outside the crowded church, near the scaffolding where she had to stand in punishment seven years earlier. When he comes out he confesses he is the partner in Hester’s crime and then dies, effectively avoiding punishment.
Tellingly, in chillingworth’s will he gives a significant amount of land to Pearl making her wealthy heiress, and then Pearl and Hester immediately leave the town. Why does Hester return many years later and resume the A on her clothing? Reviews online say some BS about acceptance of her role as scapegoat and something about redemption. This is such a crock. Oh and then she is buried with Arthur?? What? Why?
slow-paced
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first time I'd read this book was in high school. So while I remembered the basics, much was new on this revisit. I think my takeaway was how constrictive Puritan society in New England one. (Some would say the US retains a strain of this in its public life). Also, how theocracies make moral failings into crimes, and how that changes people and their available choices.
3.5 stars (rounded down to 3)
3.5 stars (rounded down to 3)
It’s been far too long to pick it back up, and I just couldn’t get into it