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readwithsummer 's review for:
The Scarlet Letter
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
For some reason, I thought this book was going to be, boring...? How wrong I was!
Nathaniel Hawthorne is an incredible writer and this story just spoke to me. Even reading it was unplanned but the book was calling to me from my bookshelves, and after sampling the first (beautiful) chapter, I couldn't put it down.
What initially capitvated me was the strength of Hester's character. How she retained her strength throughout her showcased shame. How she was able to still be kind to those who had been most cruel to her. And of course, Pearl. She inherited her mother's strength and together they perserved despite their treatment from everyone around them. I also could relate to their disposition somewhat too.
*spoilers*
I was hoping this would be a love story between Hester and the father. That mother, father and child would be able to run away and ride into the sunset. I appreciated how it was love that kept her around so long, that she was able to endure to be beside her love. I don't remember when I first realised who the father was, it had crossed my mind a few times before it became apparent. Do I think he was right or wrong? I'm not sure... He had no honour, but what is honour compared to survival? However, ultiamtely his own guilty ate away at him itself. I didn't guess what Roger had unearthed that made him so pleased, but when it was revealed it was his own scarlet letter I was shook! At least he stood by her where he could. I was hoping they'd be able to run away together, but even if Mr Dimmesdale hadn't relieved himself of his secret, Roger had already prevented their escape. I am so glad Pearl had a happy ending, but Hester... I wonder what made Hester go back. I think it is love. She truly loved him, and after securing her daughters happiness she could return to where she felt she belonged.
The theme of hidden guilty Vs open guilt was interesting. Both of them suffered, but in different ways, and ultimately Mr Dimmesdale suffered more. At least Hester faced her shame, accepted her retribution with honour and was able to perservere. But Mr Dimmesddale, he was ultimately driven mad. What sparked his change upon leaving the forest? Had he signed the book? Was the lesson that he couldn't outrun his shame and must face it head on? Chillingsowrth and Dimmesdale had the same fate. They held on in secret to their shame, to their hate, and it ate away at them. But Hester paid her dues and was able to move on from her shame, and in the end she was left only with her love.
I really enjoyed this book. The twist and turns were really exciting and I would shake the book wondering how it was going to end, because I really couldn't wait to find out, or guess at what may happen. I didn't get my happy love story, but I did get a happy Pearl, a satiated Hester, and a new favourite book.
Nathaniel Hawthorne is an incredible writer and this story just spoke to me. Even reading it was unplanned but the book was calling to me from my bookshelves, and after sampling the first (beautiful) chapter, I couldn't put it down.
What initially capitvated me was the strength of Hester's character. How she retained her strength throughout her showcased shame. How she was able to still be kind to those who had been most cruel to her. And of course, Pearl. She inherited her mother's strength and together they perserved despite their treatment from everyone around them. I also could relate to their disposition somewhat too.
*spoilers*
I was hoping this would be a love story between Hester and the father. That mother, father and child would be able to run away and ride into the sunset. I appreciated how it was love that kept her around so long, that she was able to endure to be beside her love. I don't remember when I first realised who the father was, it had crossed my mind a few times before it became apparent. Do I think he was right or wrong? I'm not sure... He had no honour, but what is honour compared to survival? However, ultiamtely his own guilty ate away at him itself. I didn't guess what Roger had unearthed that made him so pleased, but when it was revealed it was his own scarlet letter I was shook! At least he stood by her where he could. I was hoping they'd be able to run away together, but even if Mr Dimmesdale hadn't relieved himself of his secret, Roger had already prevented their escape. I am so glad Pearl had a happy ending, but Hester... I wonder what made Hester go back. I think it is love. She truly loved him, and after securing her daughters happiness she could return to where she felt she belonged.
The theme of hidden guilty Vs open guilt was interesting. Both of them suffered, but in different ways, and ultimately Mr Dimmesdale suffered more. At least Hester faced her shame, accepted her retribution with honour and was able to perservere. But Mr Dimmesddale, he was ultimately driven mad. What sparked his change upon leaving the forest? Had he signed the book? Was the lesson that he couldn't outrun his shame and must face it head on? Chillingsowrth and Dimmesdale had the same fate. They held on in secret to their shame, to their hate, and it ate away at them. But Hester paid her dues and was able to move on from her shame, and in the end she was left only with her love.
I really enjoyed this book. The twist and turns were really exciting and I would shake the book wondering how it was going to end, because I really couldn't wait to find out, or guess at what may happen. I didn't get my happy love story, but I did get a happy Pearl, a satiated Hester, and a new favourite book.