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The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (Book Analysis): Detailed Summary, Analysis and Reading Guide
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Unlock the more straightforward side of The Scarlet Letter with this concise and insightful summary and analysis!
This engaging summary presents an analysis of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The “scarlet letter” of the title is the letter “A”, which the protagonist Hester Prynne must wear as punishment for having committed adultery. However, Hester’s virtuous behaviour throughout the narrative makes clear, the line between guilt and innocence is not clear-cut, and she proves an easy character to sympathise with. Through her story, Hawthorne examines the stifling role of Puritanism in her society and the double standards applied to men and women in matters of morality. The Scarlet Letter was chosen by The Guardian as one of the 100 greatest novels ever written in English, and it is widely considered to be a classic of American literature.
Find out everything you need to know about The Scarlet Letter in a fraction of the time!
This in-depth and informative reading guide brings you:
• A complete plot summary
• Character studies
• Key themes and symbols
• Questions for further reflection
Why choose BrightSummaries.com?
Available in print and digital format, our publications are designed to accompany you on your reading journey. The clear and concise style makes for easy understanding, providing the perfect opportunity to improve your literary knowledge in no time.
See the very best of literature in a whole new light with BrightSummaries.com!
This engaging summary presents an analysis of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The “scarlet letter” of the title is the letter “A”, which the protagonist Hester Prynne must wear as punishment for having committed adultery. However, Hester’s virtuous behaviour throughout the narrative makes clear, the line between guilt and innocence is not clear-cut, and she proves an easy character to sympathise with. Through her story, Hawthorne examines the stifling role of Puritanism in her society and the double standards applied to men and women in matters of morality. The Scarlet Letter was chosen by The Guardian as one of the 100 greatest novels ever written in English, and it is widely considered to be a classic of American literature.
Find out everything you need to know about The Scarlet Letter in a fraction of the time!
This in-depth and informative reading guide brings you:
• A complete plot summary
• Character studies
• Key themes and symbols
• Questions for further reflection
Why choose BrightSummaries.com?
Available in print and digital format, our publications are designed to accompany you on your reading journey. The clear and concise style makes for easy understanding, providing the perfect opportunity to improve your literary knowledge in no time.
See the very best of literature in a whole new light with BrightSummaries.com!
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The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (Book Analysis) - Bright Summaries
AMERICAN NOVELIST
Born in Salem (USA) in 1804.
Died in Plymouth (USA) in 1864.
Notable works:
Twice-Told Tales (1837), short story collection
The House of the Seven Gables (1851), novel
The Blithedale Romance (1852), novel
Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in Salem, Massachusetts, into a family that had been present in the town since its founding. He was a descendant of John Hathorne, a leading judge in the Salem Witch Trials. It is thought that Hawthorne altered the spelling of his surname to distance himself from his controversial ancestor. Hawthorne married in 1842 and had three children.
Hawthorne is famous for his psychologically complex works, most of which explore human guilt and sin. He is classed as a Romantic writer, specifically a Dark Romantic, and elements of the supernatural can be found in many of his writings. Along with his acclaimed novels, Hawthorne wrote many short stories and three nonfiction texts. He is now viewed as one of America’s greatest writers and influenced writers such as Herman Melville (1819-1891) and William Faulkner (1897-1962).
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