Reviewed by:Norlan
De Groot Key words: Novel, American
Literature, Classic, Fiction
Recommended Reading Level:
Grades 9, 10, 11
Theme: Whether sin and guilt
is made public or kept private, the disastrous results remain the same.
Summary: After giving birth
to a child out of wedlock, Hester Prynne is forced to wear the scarlet
letter "A" on her breast at all times. Hester refuses to name the father
of the child and contents herself with living a quiet, ostracized life
among her Puritan neighbors in Boston. When Hester's husband arrives, he
forces Hester to keep his identity a secret and goes about the business
of discovering the father and seeking his revenge.
Strengths: This is classic
American literature at its best. The main characters are well-developed
and placed in a gripping plot. It is a gritty look at sin, revenge and
the Puritan response to it.
Weaknesses: As with any
book written in this time period, the sentences and paragraphs tend to
be longer and more complex than our modern ears are used to hearing. Maybe
this is not so much a critique of the book as it is a critique of our modern
reading habits.
Other Notes: The book has
lent itself to interpretations which focused on the supposed terrible,
puritanical ways of our American forefathers. However, the book has a much
greater depth than those interpretations would presume. Be careful not
to confuse Hawthorne's portrayal of Puritan sins with solid Puritan theology.
Hawthorne,
Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. Bantam Classics, 1981.