mmullerm 's review for:

The Scarlet Letter (Barnes & Noble Classics Series) by Nathaniel Hawthorne

4.0

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I just finished The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne and I gave it 4 out of 5 stars. The Scarlet Letter is set in mid 17th century Puritan Massachusetts. It tells the story of Hester Prynne who was temporarily jailed for committing adultery and then sentenced to a life of shame and social isolation by having to wear a Scarlet Letter "A" on her outfit which outwardly displays her crime to everyone. Hawthorne did a good job of showing how strict his Puritan ancestors were, and how hypocritical they truly were. (For example, they shunned Hester, but yet the high ups in her town used her for her skills as a seamstress). While I read the novel I could see how the emotions of shame and guilt were manifested in both the characters of Hester Prynne and Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, (her co-adulterer). I can recommend this novel simply for how well Hawthorne brought tangibility to the guilt of committing a sin against God and how it rests on one's soul. I have to say that Roger Chillingworth was a strange character to me. I suppose the meaning behind his character is that the devil works so clandestinely, that you have to keep a wary eye out. I enjoyed Hester's daughter, Pearl, (who resulted from the adulterous affair), as a character the most. She was very observant for someone so young, and I appreciated Hawthorne's efforts on creating and developing her as a character. The Scarlet Letter is a social comment against dogmatic Puritanism, but it is also moralistic in showing the reader that a truthful life is the best way everyone should lead their lives. The Scarlet Letter was beautifully written, and I recommend this classic.