Read a plot overview of the entire book or a chapter by chapter summary and analysis. The nameless narrator was the surveyor of the customhouse in salem, massachusetts. All of the primary characters in the book, save perhaps pearl, maintain a secret, something. From what the reader is told of his early years with hester, he was a difficult husband. In the customhouses attic, he discovered a number of documents, among them a manuscript that was bundled with a scarlet, goldembroidered patch of cloth in the shape of an a. He ignored his wife for much of the time, yet expected her to nourish his soul with affection when he did.
His twisted, stooped, deformed shoulders mirror his distorted soul. One night, when pearl is about seven years old, she and her mother are. When the narrator lost his customs post, he decided to write a fictional account. A summary of chapters 2324 in nathaniel hawthornes the scarlet letter. Start studying scarlet letter power point, some sparknotes, and highlighted stuff in the book. Hester has heard that certain influential citizens feel pearl should be taken from her. Nathaniel hawthornes the scarlet letter summary duration. The scarlet letter by nathaniel hawthorne tells the story of hester prynne, the protagonist of the novel. The number 7 is a significant symbol in the scarlet letter. A summary of chapters 14 in nathaniel hawthornes the scarlet letter. The scarlet letter final chapters and conclusion youtube. The great books series was a standout on cable tv in the 1990s a highly. He admits, however, that it was wrong of him to marry hera much younger womanafter. A summary of chapters 1112 in nathaniel hawthornes the scarlet letter.
Hester is able to regain a sense of agency by voluntarily choosing to reenter the community, and wearing the scarlet letter by choice rather than out of obligation. Lost in her thoughts and largely ignored by the crowd, hester is imagining herself defiantly escaping. Home english poetry classic books paradise lost book vii. Read the scarlet letter by author nathaniel hawthorne, free, online. The scarlet letter opens with a long preamble about how the book came to be written. Although the scarlet letter is about hester prynne, the book is not so much a. The books narrator discusses the events that followed dimmesdales death and reports on the fates of the other.
He has now changed from a human being into a vengeful fiend, a mortal man who has lost his human heart. Hester pays a visit to governor bellinghams mansion. The book argues that true evil arises from the close relationship between hate and love. She is seven years old, and because the story begins with pearl as a newborn, we know as the reader. More important, however, hester plans to plead for the right to keep her daughter. Following, above the olympian hill i soar, above the flight of pegasean wing. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of the scarlet letter and what it means. A summary of chapters 2122 in nathaniel hawthornes the scarlet letter. The scarlet letter chapter 4 summary and analysis enotes. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. By the time of her death, the a, which she still wears, has lost any stigma it may have had. As his name suggests, roger chillingworth is a man deficient in human warmth.
We know very little about hester prior to her affair with dimmesdale and her resultant public shaming. Although the scarlet letter is about hester prynne, the book is not so much a consideration of her innate character as it is an examination of the forces that shape her and the transformations those forces effect. Alarmed, hester sets out with pearl for governor bellinghams mansion to deliver gloves that he ordered. Nathaniel hawthornes 1850 historical novel the scarlet letter explores guilt, revenge, and redemption in colonial america. Hawthorne blends supernatural elements with psychological insight in his story of one womans public punishment for adultery. A summary of themes in nathaniel hawthornes the scarlet letter. Read the scarlet letter here, with sidebyside no fear translations into modern english. The theme of sin and redemption in the scarlet letter. He wants her to live and suffer under the weight of the scarlet letter.