I would greatly appreciate it if anyone remembers anything about "The Scarlet Letter", and would help me with a few main points. If it wouldnt be of any trouble, could you write what was the most memorable moment of the book. Also, any themes that you feel were important or present throughout the book. Lots of details would really help me out. --(i already know it was made into a movie w/ Demi Moore)
Thanx Bunches!!!
2007-09-25 17:01:34 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
I have taught the book many times. The Customs House part is a fascinating story. Hawthorne's father had him working at the Customs House. Hawthorne hated it there and spent all his free time writing.
When he finished The Scarlet Letter, his publisher told him it was too short. (19th Century rejection letters!) So Hawthorne came up with this little piece about the place where he worked. Then, he found a way to hook it to The Scarlet Letter by having him find this diary while cleaning the attic. Pretty clever. One thing actually has nothing to do with the other. The thread that connects them is the diary. It was a very clever literary trick.
A lot of people skip over that part. In fact, a lot of teachers don't make students read it. I always did. I found it fascinating. It very closely resembled the idea of Melville's Bartleby the Scrivener -- a fabulous story about people going to work at a law office in NYC. At the time, simple stories about people working in offices were really unheard of. You had Christmas Carol and that was about it.
Another interesting thing I always point out to students is Hester's choice of names for her daughter. Pearl (not Rose!!)
It actually comes from the Bible - Matthew 7:6 and it was Hester's little joke. It told the people who condemned her exactly what she thought of them.
"Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet."
Think about what Hester did. She didn't hide her illegitimate daughter away from the world. Instead, she dressed her little elf child in clothes fit for a princess and put her in front of the public. In other words, she cast her "Pearl" before "swine". A Hester Prynne diss. Ouch. Funny how people who were so religious didn't get it. That Hester was a very savvy lady.
Hawthorne was a master of irony. Read some of his short stories sometime. The Birthmark, Rappaccini's Daughter, and especially The Artist of the Beautiful. The ending of that story will knock your socks off.
Pax - C
2007-09-25 17:31:00 · answer #1 · answered by Persiphone_Hellecat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, this is a great book and if you need to know the true details you should really read it yourself. I read it a long time ago so wouldn't want to comment on specifics, but I can tell you:
The scarlett letter WAS NOT tattooed on Hester (nor is it anything to do with the military). She had to wear the scarlett coloured 'A' for adulteress swen onto the breat of her dress because she had sex with a man who was not her husband. She lived in a very autere religious community that had gone from England to America to escape what they saw as the increasingly sinful and debauched way of life in England. Hester gad been promised to a man she didn't know (or love) when she was quite young. He was supposed to follow her to America but as time passed it was assumed that he had died on the journey. Hester fell in love and became pregnant with Pearl. When her husband eventually turned up he was horrified and Hester was ostracised by the community. Persiphone's comments about her dreiing Pearl is clothes fit for a princess are important, as this shows up Hester's defiant personality.
It's a great great stroy and well worth spending a bit of time reading the book. Good luck.
2007-09-25 23:25:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The child was not illegitimate, the man did not want to claim her as his second wife. They slept together, therefore they married in the flesh. If the society in the book were truly Bible-based, the father would have been responsible for caring for that mother and child whether he wanted to or not. The men and women of Bible times got married by going into a tent and doing the deed. No contracts, no wedding dresses, no white cakes, etc. Hester Prynne bore her "punishment" with more class than any member of that town ever possessed, but no, she did not deserve it as she did not commit any sin.
2016-05-18 22:47:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Scarlet letter is symbolic for death because it is red. A private military was assigned by his superior officer to send a letter to another officer. When the recipient read it it stated that the bearer must be eliminated.
2007-09-25 17:14:01 · answer #4 · answered by wilma m 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
OK I am not a reader but if you dont' know anything about it, a lady had a scarlet letter tatooed on her because she was an adultress, I think I hope someone else comes along but this is a start I hope for you.
2007-09-25 17:04:37 · answer #5 · answered by I Love Jesus 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The thing i remember the most is the preacher's bodily "injuries." I always thought they were physical manifestations of the guilt he felt for what he did. I also remember the ex husband ( i think it was) was really creepy!!!
and little Rose freaking everybody out by saying that she came from the rosebush & didn't have a father
2007-09-25 17:16:46 · answer #6 · answered by mommyrayne 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
its a good book and it isn't that long. try reading it.
2007-09-25 17:04:15 · answer #7 · answered by littleme836 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋