The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
- zoedecicco
- Posts: 107
- Joined: 10 Dec 2014, 12:04
- Favorite Book: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
- Bookshelf Size: 5
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-zoedecicco.html
- Latest Review: "The Bad Path to Enlightenment" by Lee A. Eide
Re: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
I loved it! I wonder if the reason I did was because I read it as an adult? I notice a number of people here dislike it, but they read it when they were much younger, and often under educational duress!
I loved the character of Hester, and I saw her as a strong woman the whole time, rather than a victim.
I could read this book over and over. I can see why it is such a classic, and it is a shame it is not fully appreciated by young readers!
Give it a second chance all ye who disliked it!!
"There are no small parts, only small actors." - Constantin Stanislavski
- Valrose
- Posts: 31
- Joined: 05 Dec 2014, 14:56
- Bookshelf Size: 0
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-valrose.html
I look forward to reading this book with my daughter when she turns 15 or sixteen. I know it will serve as a great gateway to a modern day discussion of love, passion, her body, and so much more.
- michelleNYclassics
- Posts: 10
- Joined: 29 Nov 2014, 15:34
- Currently Reading: Reading my way through the classics...
- Bookshelf Size: 0
I found intriguing the symbolic border that seemed to exist with the woods outside of town. It is initially referenced as the locale for superstitious meetings between supposed sinners within the community and sinister forces. A dividing line between good and evil.7ht8th wrote:“ What are some other favorite symbolisms you found riveting throughout the novel?
And yet for the Reverend Dimsdale and Hester, these woods became almost like a haven, shielding them from the rigid judgments of the community and offering them a brief respite from the weighted penance they bore because of the Puritan strictness. The Reverend temporarily lost the symptoms of his mystery ailment, which plagued him otherwise daily. And Hester, safe within the cover of the woods, was finally, though only momentarily, able to castoff the heavy burden of the Scarlet A. Hawthorne does amazing work in making these woods a character all its own -- one who sees and knows so many secrets, existing in a melancholy manner and ever keeping its stories hidden from all. Within the loyal quietude, and grateful to the isolation within the trees at the border to the township, The Reverend and Hester could grasp a taste of hope and plan for a future together away from the sins of their past and the ceaseless penance they have endured since.
It's unfortunate that, once again outside of this sanctuary, the burdens return tenfold and the karmic-style justice of the strict community steals away the dreams of escaping into a new life.
-
- Posts: 44
- Joined: 02 Feb 2015, 12:37
- Bookshelf Size: 19
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-alyssaemerson.html
-- 02 Feb 2015, 14:01 --
I read it in high school and didn't mind it. It wasn't my favorite book but manageable nonetheless.
- aileighcay
- Posts: 3
- Joined: 03 Apr 2015, 16:43
- Currently Reading: Stiff the curious life of human cadavers
- Bookshelf Size: 13
- Cee-Jay Aurinko
- Posts: 795
- Joined: 08 Feb 2015, 05:25
- Favorite Book: The Dark Tower 1 - The Gunslinger
- Bookshelf Size: 57
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-cee-jay-aurinko.html
- Latest Review: "Higgins Hotel" by Carla Coffman
- Bobbi Duffy
- Posts: 5
- Joined: 01 Apr 2015, 14:44
- Bookshelf Size: 0
- Beth Davids
- Posts: 42
- Joined: 27 Mar 2015, 13:28
- Currently Reading: The Day Christ Died
- Bookshelf Size: 111
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-beth-davids.html
- Latest Review: "A Tale of the Legendary King and His Twin Princesses" by Genevieve Sarpong
- memory
- Posts: 88
- Joined: 08 Apr 2015, 13:23
- Bookshelf Size: 21
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-memory.html
- Latest Review: "Rogue & Royal" by Alan S. Blood
-
- Posts: 5
- Joined: 22 Sep 2015, 17:38
- Currently Reading: Little Women
- Bookshelf Size: 481
- Reading Device: B00I15SB16
-
- Posts: 544
- Joined: 07 May 2014, 21:57
- Favorite Book: Gone With the Wind
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 86
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-acwoolet.html
- Latest Review: Touching Time by B. W. Haggart
-
- Posts: 5980
- Joined: 27 Mar 2013, 20:01
- Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... =3452">The Thorn Birds</a>
- Currently Reading: The Last Stonestepper
- Bookshelf Size: 79
- Signature Addition: View official OnlineBookClub.org review of Forever Twelve
Instead of placing a tiny, hidden A on her chest, she made the most elaborate A's she could for all of her clothing. Darned if she was going to hide in ignominy, when her sins were no one else's business but her own.
She was a virtuous woman and a good mother to her young daughter. She held her head high and didn't worry about what anyone thought of her. We would do well to follow her refined example for how to react to others' attempts at shaming us.
This story shows that at heart, everyone is a sinner somehow. The best humans are the ones who try to rise above it and be as virtuous as they can, despite everything that life throws their way.
A
- KPRUITT13_
- Posts: 7
- Joined: 25 Nov 2015, 23:26
- Bookshelf Size: 0
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kpruitt13.html
- laurelise
- Posts: 10
- Joined: 03 Dec 2015, 17:20
- Bookshelf Size: 0
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-laurelise.html
- Euthyphr0
- Posts: 19
- Joined: 03 Nov 2015, 19:53
- Bookshelf Size: 18
- Reading Device: B00I15SB16