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3.19 AVERAGE
3.19 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Historically important in the literature world, a bit of a slog to get through these days.
A better examination of the horror of sin and it's consequences I have not read. This was definitely one of those books which, as Lewis says, brings a breath of fresh air from the past. It's climax was the complete opposite of that which would be written today, and I loved Hawthorne for it.
I read this as a student 30 years ago and am reading it as a teacher (5 times) with my 11th grade American Literature classes. It's not a easy read; Hawthorne is wordy and his writing style is difficult to parse. My students have a hard time following the story because of these issues.
However, the story and it's themes are classic and adaptable to our current time, and students have understood those themes.
However, the story and it's themes are classic and adaptable to our current time, and students have understood those themes.
dark
medium-paced
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was assigned this as summer reading for school, and I went into it grudgingly (partly because I at first thought the assignment was to read Huck Finn and had to switch to The Scarlet Letter halfway through). Then I started to read it. I was surprised by how un-boring it was! My classmates would disagree, but the writing kept my interest, the characters were complex, and my nerdy self was so excited by all the symbolism and themes! I can see how some people would think the writing was confusing (Hawthorne uses big words and long sentences), but overall a great book with a great theme about hypocrisy and the effects of sin.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was my first ever reading of The Scarlet Letter and I have some thoughts on it. Firstly, I am deeply aware this book creates strong emotions of like or dislike in the majority of its readers; however, I personally found myself perplexed as I read. While the story and concept are good the language was taxing and caused this book to take me longer to complete than anticipated. Additionally, some parts could have done with more thought and revision (in my non-writer opinion though I do understand this was stylistic at the time).
Hester Prynne is without a doubt the strongest and most developed character in this book. I enjoyed her chapters (even though some of them made me angry or sad for her). She was a mother, a wife who was abandoned, and greatest of all a strong woman, given her circumstance. However, her chapters do not account for the entirety of the novel.
The rest of the characters fell flat for me everymen or caricatures of what they represented (maybe this is on purpose). As a very character-driven reader, this was disappointing.
The religious commentary and symbolism were interesting and well done despite some fumbling in certain moments.
Is this novel a classic? Yes. Is it necessary to read in the literary canon? I don't think so. Personally, it will be a very long time before I pick this one back up.
2.5 stars rounded down ( I changed my mind after digesting it some more).
Hester Prynne is without a doubt the strongest and most developed character in this book. I enjoyed her chapters (even though some of them made me angry or sad for her). She was a mother, a wife who was abandoned, and greatest of all a strong woman, given her circumstance. However, her chapters do not account for the entirety of the novel.
The rest of the characters fell flat for me everymen or caricatures of what they represented (maybe this is on purpose). As a very character-driven reader, this was disappointing.
The religious commentary and symbolism were interesting and well done despite some fumbling in certain moments.
Is this novel a classic? Yes. Is it necessary to read in the literary canon? I don't think so. Personally, it will be a very long time before I pick this one back up.
2.5 stars rounded down ( I changed my mind after digesting it some more).