While reading this book aloud in english my junior year of high school I was completely enthralled. I did not read it again until I decided to use it for this book club. As I began the book I instantly remembered why I loved it. Nathaniel Hawthorne vividly describes not only the physical puritanical world Hester Prynne is living in but also the social and emotional aspects of it as well. His imagery is beautiful and the moral lessons, though never clearly stated, are hidden throughout the text for each reader to find and then make his her own judgement.
This is a fabulous novel about a woman publicly scorned for her sins and how she, in the end, rises above all who choose to condemn her.
(At leas that's my point of view-Yours may differ completely)
I am only about 100 pages into this book, but I am really enjoying it. I also read this book in high school, but paid no attention. I was very struck by the opening scene with the rose bush by the door. I felt it demonsrated mercy, hope, and forgiveness for Hester Prynne. I have tried to put my self in her shoes and imagine the pain, I would feel, and how I might react to the ridicule.
ReplyDeleteon pg.48 at the bottom it says, ".....before society shall have grown corrupt enough to smile, instead of shuddering at it." I believe out society has grown so corrupt as to smile upon sexual sin. I think the puritans took it to the extreme, but our society finds no fault in it.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't read this book since high school - - and I feel like I got more out of it this time- I didn't really understand it very well then. To me, the theme is how true repentance can help us rise above the consequences of sin- - even though we still HAVE those consequences. Those who try to hide the sin and not truly repent of it - - it just festers and digs into the soul. Also, reaping vengence (as the doctor, Hester's husband did), even though justified in a way, is more evil.
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