The Scarlet Letter (Illustrated by Hugh Thomson with an Introduction by Katharine Lee Bates)

by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Katharine Lee Bates (Introduction), Hugh Thomson (Illustrator)

Overview

First published in 1850, "The Scarlet Letter" is the work that would establish Nathaniel Hawthorne's literary legacy. It is the story of Hester Prynne, a young attractive woman who has been convicted of the crime of adultery and has been sentenced to wear a scarlet letter "A" sewn to her dress. As the result of the affair, Hester has a child named Pearl and because the man with whom she has committed this act refuses to come forward she finds herself having to raise the child alone. The novel, which is set in middle 17th century Boston, is a vivid picture of the archaic social beliefs and customs that were indicative of early colonial American life. It is a time in which adultery was not only considered immoral but was a crime and extreme puritanical beliefs ruled everyday life. Hawthorne's narrative is an exploration of the nature of sin, guilt, and the way in which society tries to police morality through the rule of law. A haunting portrait of days long past, "The Scarlet Letter" is a brilliant portrayal of life in Puritanical America. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper, is illustrated by Hugh Thomson and includes an introduction by Katharine Lee Bates.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781420951820
Publisher:	Digireads.com
Publication date:	11/10/2015
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	204
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.47(d)
Lexile:	1420L (what's this?)

About the Author

One of the greatest authors in American literature, Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) was a novelist and short story writer born in Salem, Massachusetts. Hawthorne’s best-known books include The House of the Seven Gables and The Scarlet Letter, works marked by a psychological depth and moral insight seldom equaled by other writers.

Date of Birth:

July 4, 1804

Date of Death:

May 19, 1864

Place of Birth:

Salem, Massachusetts

Place of Death:

Plymouth, New Hampshire

Education:

Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine, 1824