Is it possible to get through the book "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne without falling asleep?

Question

I nodded off EVERY TIME I tried to read it. Even in the middle of the afternoon when I wasn't tired before I started.


Also, did anyone enjoy it? For me, the best part was making up silly superhero/villain names for the characters.

The book was a lot more interesting when it was about X-ter and The Minister of Death. Pearl had the power to become invisible, because we kept losing track of her in the movie. She'd just be missing from a scene all of a sudden. :D

Answer 1

LOL. I am guessing you're in high school and this is required reading for an English class? I didn't like the book much when I *had* to read it, *had* to write essay after essay about it. But when I picked it up to re-read it again (so I could write a parody) I discovered it was a really good book. I think your on to something, making up names so that you can at least stay interested enough to keep reading. Just do the best you can with it now, and maybe in a few years, you can pick it up and discover why it's considered a classic of American literature.

Answer 2

Taking this question a tad too seriously, if you involve yourself in the book, it's themes etc, by asking yourself what you think of their situations, how you would react, what have you, I find that a piece is much more interesting and I get more out of it. The book was written to be a penance paid for the sins of Hawthorne's great grandfather (or perhaps just grandfather...) who wasthe only judge from the Salem trials who did not express regret or feel he needed forgiveness for killing those innocents, so when you think of that history and put it into what he wrote you see some neat parallels. Also, if you look at the symbolism of Pearl (who is purity) and her relation to the stagnant world of corrupted idealism around her you can see our society today as well and ask yourself the interesting question of whether purity can ever survive in a world that is so unwilling to accept it.

Just a couple thoughts...

Answer 3

I hated "The Scarlet Letter" when I read it in high school. I never fell asleep reading it but I don't think I finished it either. Come to think of it, I think we had study guide questions we were suppose to answer while we read it.

I guess my advice for you to stay awake reading it is to actively read it. Take notes while you read it. That helps keep you awake and understand what you are reading better.

Answer 4

An awful book that turned me away from reading anything for a considerable amount of time. It should be banned from schools, along with the dreadful Silas Marner.

Answer 5

It's actually a great book if you pay attention to the tone and try to understand how the characters are feeling. Thats what helped me get through the book and I ended up liking it. Its not one of my favorites, but its worth reading.

by the way- anyone know how dimmesdale dies?
please answer my most recent question. thanks.

Answer 6

Yeah, I think it's hard to get into. I had to be very detirmined to get through it my first time. Maybe it just isn't your style of read. In my opinion, you shouldn't feel as though you're walking uphill when you're reading.

Answer 7

Yes it is possible to read it without falling asleep! Otherwise, how would editors have been able to finish editing it??

Answer 8

hahahahaha. that (the names) is the best idea ever.

otherwise, i think that the only way to make it through it would be to be one of nathaniel hawthorne's direct descendants and be on speed.

Answer 9

Why not check with your Library and see if they have it on tape?

You could listen to it while you do chores around the house...

Answer 10

Yes, it is actually a fantastic read - you have to be in the mood for it.