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The Scarlet Letter
- Language
- EN
- Format
- EPUB
- Size
- 4.3 MB
Description
Set in Puritan Massachusetts during the 1640s, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel examines the social and moral codes of early New England communities. The narrative centres around Hester Prynne, who is publicly shamed and required to wear a scarlet letter “A” as a mark of her adultery. The story details her life of ostracism, her interactions with other townspeople, and her efforts to reconcile her past with her present circumstances. The novel explores themes of sin, guilt, judgement, and redemption, reflecting Hawthorne’s interest in moral complexity and the human capacity for both good and evil within a strict religious setting.
First published in 1850, the work is considered a significant contribution to American literature and is often studied for its portrayal of Puritan society and its moral conflicts. Its characters and symbols reflect the harshness and hypocrisy of the period, while the narrative scrutinizes notions of legality and morality. As a work of historical fiction, it provides insight into the social and religious climate of 17th-century New England.
First published in 1850, the work is considered a significant contribution to American literature and is often studied for its portrayal of Puritan society and its moral conflicts. Its characters and symbols reflect the harshness and hypocrisy of the period, while the narrative scrutinizes notions of legality and morality. As a work of historical fiction, it provides insight into the social and religious climate of 17th-century New England.
From the opening pages
a kindlier spirit, nor, so far as his abilities availed, with a livelier effect of truth. The author is constrained, therefore, to republish his introductory sketch without the change of a word. Salem , March 30, 1850. CONTENTS. Page The Custom House.—Introductory 1 THE SCARLET LETTER. I. The Prison-Door 51 II. The Market-Place 54 III. The Recognition 68 IV. The Interview 80 V. Hester at her Needle 90 VI. Pearl 104 VII. The Governor’s Hall 118 VIII. The Elf-Child and the Minister 129 IX. The Leech 142 X. The Leech and his Patient 155 XI. The Interior of a Heart 168 XII. The Minister’s Vigil 177 XIII. Another View of Hester 193 XIV. Hester and the Physician 204 XV. Hester and Pearl 212 XVI. A Forest Walk 223 XVII. The Pastor and his Parishioner 231 XVIII. A Flood of Sunshine 245 XIX. The Child at the Brook-side 253 XX. The Minister in a Maze 264 XXI. The New England Holiday 277 XXII. The Procession 288 XXIII. The Revelation of the Scarlet Letter 302 XXIV. Conclusion 315 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Drawn by Mary Hallock Foote and Engraved by A. V. S. Anthony . The ornamental head-pieces are by L. S. Ipsen . Page The Custom-House 1 The Prison Door 49 Vignette,—Wild Rose 51 The Gossips 57 “ Standing on the Miserable Eminence ” 65 “ She was led back to Prison ” 78 “ The Eyes of the wrinkled Scholar glowed ” 87 The Lonesome Dwelling 93 Lonely Footsteps 99 Vignette 104 A touch of Pearl’s baby-hand 113 Vignette 118 The Governor’s Breastplate 125 “ Look thou to it! I will not lose the child! ” 135 The Minister and Leech 148 The Leech and his Patient 165 The Virgins of the Church 172 “ They stood in the noon of that strange splendor ” 185 Hester in the House of Mourning 195 Mandrake 211 “ He gathered herbs here and there ” 213 Pearl on the Sea-Shore 217 “ Wilt thou yet forgive me? ” 237 A Gleam of Sunshine 249 The Child at the Brook-Side 257 Chillingworth,—“Smile with a sinister meaning ” 287 New England Worthies 289 “ Shall we not meet again? ” 311 Hester’s Return 320 THE CUSTOM-HOUSE. INTRODUCTORY TO “THE SCARLET LETTER.” t is a little remarkable, that—though disinclined to talk overmuch of myself and my affairs at the fireside, and to my personal friends—an autobiographical…
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