Book Review of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Nathaniel Hawthorne was an American novelist and a dark romantic story writer. His works often throw light upon history, morality, and religion. Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter is a classic novel that deals with adultery, sin, religion, and redemption.
The plot is set in the mid-1600s in a Puritan village near Boston. The story is about the spiritual journey of Hester Prynne, a married woman who is ostracized when she conceives a child out of wedlock during her husband's long absence. Keeping with the rigid Puritan customs, the enraged townspeople force Hester to wear a scarlet letter "A" for adultery on the breast of her gown. However, things take an unexpected turn when Hester's missing husband returns, posing as a doctor.
The Scarlet Letter is a very accomplished novel. It masterfully deals with a crucial part of
American history. The reader is given a new perspective on Puritanism. Hawthorne's prose can seem complicated and labored to modern-day readers. At times the narration seems lengthy and long drawn. However, a careful reading reveals his skillful use of irony and symbolism to make his points about American morality and hypocrisy. Hawthorne has wonderfully examined the issues of sin and redemption and paints a vivid portrait of Puritan life in the mid-1600s.
My final verdict is that the overall message of The Scarlet Letter is what makes it a worthy read even if its delivery was a little pedantic at times. This is a classic novel that I believe everyone must read. I would give it a rating of three out of five stars.
REFERENCE
Hawthorne,
N. (2014). The scarlet letter. ProQuest Ebook Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com
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