I thought that the book was in fact, poking at religions about how they preach people to do one thing, but they in fact do the other. thought that it was about human nature and that people, in fact, are born "sinful" as you may call it. And even though Hester worn her sin on her bosom, the rest of the village were hiding behind secret sin. But according to my English Advanced teacher, the book is about NOTHING.
2006-10-20 07:49:36 · 29 answers · asked by Ohay 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
I am in High school, and yes. She actually said quote: "This book is about NOTHING. But then, why is it so famous?" Her answer to that question? Because "people want to try to understand what it means!"
And I was wondering why the children are tomorrow are falling behind other nations.
2006-10-20 07:55:44 · update #1
You are absolutely right. You've understood the book perfectly, and anyone who claims that the book is about "nothing" is obviously full of himself/herself and is into nonsensical theories of how to read and interpret literature. Probably brainwashed by some college course or professor.
2006-10-20 07:56:51 · answer #1 · answered by laney_po 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The book can be about adultery, misguided religious zeal and all that. It was not about "nothing." It's a great book.
Another perspective, outside of adultery:
The "A" can stand for the adulterous affair. But "The Scarlet Letter" can be more about Ambiguity than anything else. Maybe Hester is the most moral person in the story after all. Or maybe the child outshines the rest of the people throwing slings at her and the mother. "A" can also stand for Artist due to the way Hester makes a living. And being an artist ennobles a person. Hawthorne was huge on ambiguity in his writing and layers of meaning can be gleaned for what he writes. He is not simple, but thought provoking. Your teacher is a fool.
2006-10-20 13:06:23 · answer #2 · answered by writetolife 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
New England in the 17th century: Young Hester Prynne arrives at the colony with the purpose to find a house for herself and her husband, old doctor Roger Prynne, who still resides in good old England and will follow later. From the first day the other inhabitants of the village notice that Hester is intelligent and independent, which attracts the ones and strucks the others. When she, however, finds herself a house near the forest and takes a walk in it she sees by chance a naked young man swimming in the river nearby. The man, as she finds out later, is the very popular Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale. The two soon find themselves attracted to each other and secretly begin an affair. As the result of this Hester becomes pregnant and when the government finds out, she is showed up in public and has to wear a scarlet "A" as "adultery" on her chest. Because of this but also because she refuses to tell the name of her child's father, she goes into jail where she gives birth to her daughter, Pearl. Then, surprisingly, Roger Prynne, whose ship was supposed to have been destroyed in a storm with no survivors, appears in the village. The doctor is now driven by the idea to find out who was Hester's lover and destroy his life, as well as the life of Hester.
2006-10-20 07:59:57 · answer #3 · answered by B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wow your teacher really is an idiot.
If your teacher thought the book had a differnent meaning then that would have been one thing, but to say that the book has no meaning is super moronic.
From what I remember what you described is spot on (but it's been a long time since I read the book)
"And I was wondering why the children are tomorrow are falling behind other nations."
I think your teacher answers that question.
2006-10-20 08:11:23 · answer #4 · answered by goldenbrowngod 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The Scarlet Letter, published in 1850, is an American romance novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne; generally considered to be his masterpiece. Set in Puritan New England in the seventeenth century, it tells the story of Hester Prynne, who gives birth after committing adultery, refuses to name the father, and struggles to create a new life of repentance and dignity. Throughout, Hawthorne explores the issues of grace, legalism, and guilt.
The book is about pureness and sin, passion and human nature, love and guilt.There are huge symbols in the book of life. It was the best read i had in high school. I hate it when teachers spew their own personal views on there students.
2006-10-20 08:07:55 · answer #5 · answered by ooimmyoo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"according to my English Advanced teacher, the book is about NOTHING."
Your English "Advanced" teacher is not qualified to teach anything, much less a course on literature.
If the novel was about "nothing", then why would so many read it over a century after publication? Why bother?
Hawthorne was a GREAT writer and mountains of scholarship has been written on The Scarlet Letter.
Make some time to do some research on the novel and educate yourself. Then next time your clown-teacher says it's about nothing, set him/her straight.
2006-10-20 07:58:54 · answer #6 · answered by C = JD 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I hope that you are exaggerating. You have hit the nail on the head. It is also about pride, hypocrisy and sacrifice. Even the most rudimentary reading of it would tell any college educated (and less) person the book is about more than Nothing. If the teacher really said that, maybe you should talk to the principal about it. Any classic book will be about something whether anyone agrees or gets it is another question.
2006-10-20 07:53:28 · answer #7 · answered by Tara P 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a story based on adultery, revenge, guilt, secrecy, and gossip. There are many things in this book that are used as symbolisms, like the prison door, which symbolized the anguish of those punished. The characters are Hester Prynne, Pearl, Roger Chillingworth, Reverend Author Dimmesdale, Governor Bellingham, Mistress Hibbins, and Reverend Mr. John Wilson. The plot takes place in Boston when Hester Prynne is seen in the town with her daughter Pearl who is secretly for Reverend Author Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale was so torn up for his secret sin that he was becoming sick and when Roger Chillingworth, the husband of Hester Prynne, arrived in Boston he began to take care of Dimmesdale, but he suspected that something went on between the Reverend and his wife. He one day saw a branded letter on the Reverend’s chest and he knew something happened, so he wanted revenge. With everyday of taking care of the Reverend, he would make him feel more and more guilty. Beside the gossiping women and the tormenting fathers of the town, Hester was able to keep quiet and stay devoted to Pearl. One day Hester and her lover, Reverend Dimmesdale met in the woods and made a plan to move to England. On the day of them
leaving, Dimmesdale confessed and showed the town the letter branded on his breast. He died at that moment and Hester left the town with Pearl, but years later she returned and when she died, Pearl buried her next to her lover and branded an “A” on their graves.
2006-10-20 08:02:02 · answer #8 · answered by deedeed2003 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
your English Teacher should not be teaching English then. My teacher went through many different things the book covers. You have the majority of the story right. I would hate to here what your teacher would say about Shakespeare. I think books are important and unfortunately losing thier values in our school systems. With teachers like yours it is no wonder
2006-10-20 08:00:10 · answer #9 · answered by TLC 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This book was written by Nathaniel Hawthorne and was required reading when I took English Literature in High School.
You can always check the book out of the library on your own, read it and ask her pointed questions about the book and why she thinks it's about "nothing".
I would, it might make for interesting conversation after class with your teacher.
2006-10-20 07:58:30 · answer #10 · answered by alwaysbombed 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋