The Scarlet Letter: An Authoritative Text Essays in Criticism and Scholarship (Norton Critical Editions) [Paperback]

Nathaniel Hawthorne (Author), Seymour Gross (Editor), Sculley Bradley (Editor), Richmond Croom Beatty (Editor), E. Hudson Long (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0393956539 | ISBN-13: 978-0393956535 | Publication Date: February 1978 | Edition: 3rd

A story of love, guilt, sin and redemption played out against the stark background of Puritan New England.

Product Details

• Paperback: 443 pages
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; 3rd edition (February 1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0393956539
• ISBN-13: 978-0393956535
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #793,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hawthorne's novel deals with issues that face all of mankind, July 8, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Scarlet Letter: An Authoritative Text Essays in Criticism and Scholarship (Norton Critical Editions) (Paperback)

The Scarlet Letter is one of those novels which richly repay a re-reading every 5 years or so. While most of us are first exposed to this great work in high school, few of us have the depth of understanding at that age to do the novel justice. Hawthorne's study of the human mind and heart, of the nature of evil, and his exploration of relative morality is a constant revelation to me. His symbolism and understanding resonate more deeply every time I pick this novel up again. A close reading of his language is especially rewarding. One of the great ironic, symbolic and passionate novels of all time.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Criticisms on The Scarlet Letter, July 12, 2008

By 

Kathleen Warren - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Scarlet Letter: An Authoritative Text Essays in Criticism and Scholarship (Norton Critical Editions) (Paperback)

The book includes great critical essays for students who study the novel. I particularly appreciate the essay about Pearl which offers insight into Hawthorne's development of this character based on his struggles with his own daughter. I use these writings in my AP classes, and they are helpful to those pursuing an in-depth study of The Scarlet Letter.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Putting Morals to the Test, December 13, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Scarlet Letter: An Authoritative Text Essays in Criticism and Scholarship (Norton Critical Editions) (Paperback)

The Scarlet Letter puts even the most morally secure people's beliefs to the test. The line between what is really sin and what is "different" in this novel is one that most cannot define at the end of finishing this book. It makes the reader think about the choices in their own life, and the choices they would make in situations such as those of Hester Prynne, Dimmsdale, and little Pearl. The Scarlet Letter has a wonderful way of depicting the exclusiveness of the early Puritans that is not outwardly horrible, but chips away at the patience of the reader until their feelings towards the Puritans are nothing but distain. The novel uses light and dark in ways that subconsciously show what is Godly and reverent and what is evil and sin. So many elements in The Scarlet Letter just capture the reader into wanting more, and I recommend this book to anyone who wants to challenge their beliefs.