The Scarlet Letter is a work of historical fiction by American author Nathaniel Hawthorne, published in 1850.

Set in Puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony during the years 1642 to 1649, the novel tells the story of Hester Prynne who conceives a daughter through an affair and then struggles to create a new life of repentance and dignity.

The book explores themes of legalism, sin, and guilt.

(from wikipedia.org)

The Scarlet Letter

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Dive into the haunting world of "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Set in 17th-century Puritan Massachusetts, this novel weaves a gripping tale of love, sin, and redemption. Follow the enigmatic Hester Prynne, marked by the scarlet letter 'A' as a symbol of her adulterous affair. As secrets unravel, Reverend Dimmesdale grapples with his own hidden guilt. With vivid prose, Hawthorne explores the consequences of societal judgment and the enduring power of love. "The Scarlet Letter" is a timeless exploration of human nature, morality, and the pursuit of truth that continues to captivate readers today. Delve into this classic and discover the enduring impact of Hester's scarlet letter. ABOUT THE AUTHORNathaniel Hawthorne, born on July 4, 1804, was a renowned American novelist and short story writer. He is best known for his novel "The Scarlet Letter", a classic of American literature. Hawthorne's writing often delved into themes of sin, guilt, and the human condition, and his works are celebrated for their intricate symbolism and psychological depth. Hawthorne's early life was marked by tragedy, as his father died when he was just four years old. He later attended Bowdoin College and befriended future literary giants like Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. His career took off with the publication of "Twice-Told Tales", a collection of short stories. However, it was "The Scarlet Letter, " published in 1850, that catapulted him to literary stardom. The novel tells the story of Hester Prynne, a woman shamed for bearing an illegitimate child, and explores the harsh moral judgments of Puritan society. Hawthorne's writing style, characterized by its rich prose and exploration of the human soul, left an indelible mark on American literature. He continued to write novels such as "The House of the Seven Gables" and "The Blithedale Romance". Nathaniel Hawthorne's literary legacy endures, and he remains a key figure in the American literary canon. He passed away on May 19, 1864, leaving behind a body of work that continues to captivate readers with its timeless themes and compelling narratives.

The Scarlet letter

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Literary studies: 19th century/Novels, other prose & writers/General & literary fiction/Short stories/Classic fiction

Tales

In the latter part of the last century there lived a man of science, an eminent proficient in every branch of natural philosophy, who not long before our story opens had made experience of a spiritual affinity more attractive than any chemical one. He had left his laboratory to the care of an assistant, cleared his fine countenance from the furnace smoke, washed the stain of acids from his fingers, and persuaded a beautiful woman to become his wife. In those days when the comparatively recent discovery of electricity and other kindred mysteries of Nature seemed to open paths into the region of miracle, it was not unusual for the love of science to rival the love of woman in its depth and absorbing energy. The higher intellect, the imagination, the spirit, and even the heart might all find their congenial aliment in pursuits which, as some of their ardent votaries believed, would ascend from one step of powerful intelligence to another, until the philosopher should lay his hand on the secret of creative force and perhaps make new worlds for himself.

Mosses from an Old Manse

Boston, 1642. Dans la petite communauté puritaine, obsédée par la honte et le péché, la trop belle Hester Prynne est reconnue coupable d'adultère et clouée au pilori. Elle devra également porter, sa vie durant, une lettre écarlate : un " A " cousu sur sa poitrine, comme marque d'infamie. Une peine qui aurait pu être atténuée si elle avait révélé le nom de son amant, et père de sa petite fille, Perle. Mais ni les menaces, ni les promesses n'ont pu le lui arracher. Un homme pourtant, son mari porté disparu et revenu vivre à Boston sous une autre identité, va partir en quête de la vérité. Et, une fois le nom trouvé, exercer une vengeance aussi cruelle que raffinée.

Publié en 1850, La Lettre écarlate est considéré comme l'un des romans fondateurs de la littérature américaine. Bouleversante de grâce et de dignité, d'une force intérieure à toute épreuve, Hester est quant à elle l'une des premières grandes héroïnes romanesques.

Traduit de l'anglais (Etats-Unis) par Pierre Leyris.

The Scarlet Letter

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