The Scarlet LetterStudy Guide & Essays
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The Scarlet Letter Study Guide & Essays

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Published in 1850, The Scarlet Letter is considered Nathaniel Hawthorne's most famous novel--and the first quintessentially American novel in style, theme, and language. Set in seventeenth-century Puritan Massachusetts, the novel centers around the travails of Hester Prynne, who gives birth to a…

The Scarlet Letter study guide contains a biography of Nathaniel Hawthorne, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

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THEMES Vs. CHARACTERS

I need to relate the three main characters (Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth) to each of the following themes:
1. Revenge destroys both the victim and the seeker.
and
2. We must accept responsibility for our actions or suffer the consequences.

If you could help me out with any/all of this, that would be great :) thank you!

Posted By rachel c #101493 at Aug 20, 2009 8:18 PM in The Scarlet Letter || 18 replies

How adultery if no one knew of a husband?

On what basis was Hester convicted of adultery? 

Posted By theresa l #63659 at Sep 13, 2008 5:38 PM in The Scarlet Letter || 8 replies

what was the purpose of the scarlet letter?

The purpose of the scarlet letter was to let people know how sining and keeping it a secret can kill you and don't hold a grudge fo rthe rest of your life just let it go and forgive.

Posted By pa'cola a #113833 at Nov 18, 2009 7:45 AM in The Scarlet Letter || 1 reply

Letter to Bellingham?

I have to write a letter to Govenor Bellingham explaining why Pearl should either stay with her mother or be taken away. Any ideas? I have no clue what to write. Here are the questions that came with the project

Describe Pearl's behavior both at home and when she ventures into town.

Explain what this behavior results from.

Discuss Hester's frustration with raising her child without a father and in exile from Boston's mainstream.

Give plausible reasons for Hester either keeping or child or having Pearl taken away.

Thank you!

Posted By erika s #116183 at Dec 01, 2009 8:22 PM in The Scarlet Letter || 1 reply