About the Author
It was almost inevitable that Nathaniel Hawthorne would grow up to write fiction about the New England past. Born on July 4, 1804, in Salem, […]
The Scarlet Letter
Overview and Setting
OVERVIEW The Scarlet Letter is one of the few American works of literature that has justifiably earned the accolade “classic.” Primary among the novel’s virtues […]
Themes and Characters
In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne explores two important themes, the first of which has been described by critics as the conflict between “heart” and “mind.” […]
Literary Qualities
Hawthorne carefully structures his novel, using three climactic scenes that take place on the scaffold outside the Boston prison as centerpieces to highlight key revelations […]
Social Sensitivity
The subject of The Scarlet Letter, adultery, is a sensitive topic. Hawthorne focuses on the effect of adultery on individuals and on the community. Though […]
Ideas and Topics for Papers
TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION 1. Explain how Hawthorne uses nature and the natural world as a means of exposing the hypocrisy and oppressiveness of Puritan society. […]
Related Titles and Adaptations
The Scarlet Letter has been filmed a number of times, with two particularly outstanding versions. The 1926 silent film version starring Lillian Gish (Hester) and […]