The scarlet letter opens with a long preamble about how the book came to be. Visit to buy new and used textbooks, and check out our awardwinning nook. In the early stages of the story, craig discusses his small circle of friends, his mostly typical childhood, and his problems with stress and depression. The story begins in seventeenthcentury boston, then a puritan settlement. During craig s five day stay at the hospital he observes and interacts with the other patients. Its kind of a funny story tells the story of craig gilner, a new york high school student who serves as the novels narrator. Like hester, the narrator both affirms and resists puritan values. While today we think of romances as love stories, and the scarlet letter does contain love scenes between its two protagonists, the term romance as. A young woman, hester prynne, has been found guilty of adultery and must wear a scarlet a on her dress as a sign of shame. In combining realistic and imaginative elements to tell a moving and dreamlike story, the scarlet letter is an example of the romance genre. A firstperson, introductory chapter, written two hundred years after the events of the novel, indicate that the story will explore attitudes and beliefs that have. The main character is hester prynne, a young woman who has borne a child out of wedlock. All he does is sleep in his bed and when it is time for lunch he has his food brought to him in his room.
A list of important facts about nathaniel hawthornes the scarlet letter, including setting. The experience of hester and dimmesdale recalls the story of adam and eve because. He finds his wife forced to wear the scarlet letter a on her dress as punishment for her adultery. Loosely based on the personal experience of author ned vizzini, it follows the story of fifteenyearold craig gilner, whose depression and decision to end his life lands him in the adult psychiatric unit of a brooklyn hospital. Furthermore, she must stand on the scaffold for three hours, exposed to public humiliation. A summary of themes in nathaniel hawthornes the scarlet letter. Its kind of a funny story is a comingofage novel for young adults. Part of his interest in the story is personalhe is descended from the original puritan settlers of massachusetts. A summary of chapters 12 in nathaniel hawthornes the scarlet letter.
Explore a character analysis of hester prynne, plot summary, and important quotes. Hawthorne blends supernatural elements with psychological insight in his story of one womans public punishment for adultery. This passage comes from the introductory section of the scarlet letter, in which the narrator details how he decided to write his version of hester prynnes story. In june 1642, in the puritan town of boston, a crowd gathers to witness an official punishment. Nathaniel hawthornes 1850 historical novel the scarlet letter explores guilt. Nathaniel hawthornes 1850 historical novel the scarlet letter explores guilt, revenge, and redemption in colonial america. In fact, the novels original title was the scarlet letter.
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