The Scarlet Letter Summary
Nathaniel Hawthorne

Everything you need to understand or teach The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

The Scarlet Letter Summary & Study Guide
1 eBook
177 Student Essays
1 Encyclopedia Article
3 Literature Criticisms
1 Book Notes
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30 The Scarlet Letter Lessons
20 Activities
180 Multiple Choice Questions
60 Short Essay Questions
20 Essay Questions
Pre-Made Tests and Quizzes
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The Scarlet Letter Summary

Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter is famous for presenting some of the greatest interpretive difficulties in all of American literature. While not recognized by Hawthorne himself as his most important work, the novel is regarded not only as his greatest accomplishment, but frequently as the greatest novel in American literary history. After it was published in 1850, critics hailed it as initiating a distinctive American literary tradition. Ironically, it is a novel in which...

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The Scarlet Letter Study Guide

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Encyclopedia Articles (1)

The Scarlet Letter

3,918 words, approx. 14 pages

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne In "The Custom-House," the introduction to The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne fabricates a story in which he explains that he stumbled upon a worn pie... Read more

Project Gutenberg eBooks (1)

The Scarlet Letter

90,573 words, approx. 302 pages

THE CUSTOM-HOUSE Introductory to “The scarlet letter” It is a little remarkable, that—though disinclined to talk overmuch of myself and my affairs at the fireside, and to my per... Read more

Nathaniel Hawthorne Biographies (7)

Nathaniel Hawthorne

2,822 words, approx. 10 pages

The work of American fiction writer Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) was based on the history of his Puritan ancestors and the New England of his own day but, in its "power of blackness," has universal... Read more

Nathaniel Hawthorne

5,757 words, approx. 20 pages

Nathaniel Hawthorne was fond of calling himself the "obscurist man of letters in America." Indeed, Edgar Allan Poe, with whom Hawthorne basically created the short story form in America, once said tha... Read more

Nathaniel Hawthorne

8,561 words, approx. 29 pages

In sketches, tales, and romances published in the second third of the nineteenth century, Hawthorne chose mainly American materials, drawing especially on the history of colonial New England and his n... Read more

Nathaniel Hawthorne

11,949 words, approx. 40 pages

When Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in Salem, Massachusetts, on our most patriotic holiday in 1804, his ancestral roots were already deeply planted in New England. Writing in The Scarlet Letter (1850) o... Read more

Nathaniel Hawthorne

6,695 words, approx. 23 pages

On 9 July 1842 Nathaniel Hawthorne and Sophia Peabody were married in a simple ceremony that capped a courtship of nearly five years. Thus Hawthorne, at the age of thirty-eight, assumed his role as he... Read more

Nathaniel Hawthorne

16,142 words, approx. 54 pages

Although Nathaniel Hawthorne called himself "the obscurest man in American letters," his achievements in fiction, both as short-story writer and novelist, offer models fashioned too well for contempor... Read more

Nathaniel Hawthorne

9,025 words, approx. 31 pages

Biography EssayIn sketches, tales, and romances published in the second third of the nineteenth century, Nathaniel Hawthorne chose mainly American materials, drawing especially on the history of colon... Read more

Essays & Analysis (180)

Critical Essay by Janice B. Daniel

6,047 words, approx. 21 pages

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Critical Essay by Kirkus Reviews

219 words, approx. 1 pages

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Critical Essay by Tamkang Review

9,351 words, approx. 32 pages

1,301 words, approx. 5 pages

In many stories, symbols included by the author help to add deeper meaning.  Nathaniel Hawthorne is one of the few authors that has truly mastered the skill of using symbols effectively.  Th... Read more

Secrets Destroy Lives

855 words, approx. 3 pages

"Long Black Veil" performed by Dave Matthews Band (DMB) and written by Johnny Cash has many similar elements to The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Both have to do with the sin of adultery that... Read more

"The Other" as an Element Found in The Scarlet Letter

3,296 words, approx. 11 pages

The element of "the other" is strongly found in The Scarlet Letter. This element encompasses alienation, exclusion, and isolation, which can be found in the primary characters of Hester, Pearl, Dimmes... Read more

Hester Opposed to the Modern Woman

555 words, approx. 2 pages

In the novel The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester Prynne, the main character, suffers the punishment of public humiliation because she had committed the sin of adultery. While Hester is ... Read more

Hawthorne's Portrayal of Puritan Society in "The Scarlet Letter"

1,611 words, approx. 6 pages

Indisputably one of the most influential American writers of the nineteenth century, Nathaniel Hathorne was born on July 4, 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts. Haunted by the part played in the Salem witch... Read more

"The Scarlet Letter" and Hester's Identity

1,119 words, approx. 4 pages

First of all, the scarlet letter stands for Hester's sin. By forcing Hester to wear the letter A on her bosom, the Puritan community not only punishes this weak young woman for her adultery but labels... Read more

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

848 words, approx. 3 pages

In The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author comments on the troubles of women's equality. In the text of the novel, Hawthorne writes a description of the environment and the harsh punish... Read more

Once a Sinner, Not Always a Sinner

1,222 words, approx. 5 pages

A sin by an adult taints a pure name by endangering his or her integrity and reputation especially in a conservative society. A reputable woman can change the perception viewed upon her by sinning onl... Read more

Scaffold Analysis Essay

2,144 words, approx. 8 pages

Authors often write significant scenes that bring importance to their novel as a whole. The scenes usually encompass a number of literary elements. These elements aid in bringing significance to the... Read more

Progression of Guilt in "The Scarlet Letter"

709 words, approx. 3 pages

Guilt is, in the mind of many, is the most powerful emotion that the human is capable of possessing. Guilt can drive people to commit acts they would think of as being inconceivable when not "under... Read more

Insecurity as a Character Flaw

640 words, approx. 3 pages

Have you ever felt out of place, or that everyone's staring at you for your differences? Everyone has a flaw in their character, and some people just don't like to admit what it is. My character flaw ... Read more

The True Meanings of the Scarlet Letter

1,203 words, approx. 5 pages

One of the main symbols in The Scarlet Letter is the scarlet letter, "A." The letter A appears in a variety of forms and places. Not only does it appear in a variety of forms, but it also has a var... Read more

Symbolism in the Classic Novel, "The Scarlet Letter"

3,620 words, approx. 13 pages

Nathaniel Hawthorne was born July 4, 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts. Hawthorne was the second born of three children to his father Captain Hathorne, who was absent at his birth and died when Nathaniel ... Read more

Review and Analysis of "The Scarlet Letter"

1,361 words, approx. 5 pages

A quotation in the new biography of Nathaniel Hawthorne, by Brenda Wineapple states: "Hawthorne's daughter Rose "clipped her auburn hair and stored the left over tufts under a linen cap. Hencefor... Read more

The Road to Confession: Scafford Scenes in "The Scarlet Letter"

678 words, approx. 3 pages

The three scaffold scenes in The Scarlet Letter tell of the trials and tribulations many of the characters receive. These scenes especially center on the young Reverend Dimmesdale. Reverend Dimmesd... Read more

Secret and Revealed Sin in the Scarlet Letter

745 words, approx. 3 pages

Webster defines sin as an act that goes against the law or teachings of a particular religion. In his classic novel, The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the characters Hester, Dimm... Read more

Confession Eases Guilt

890 words, approx. 3 pages

"Without a theme, a novel is just a story" (Anonymous). Hawthorne portrays many themes in The Scarlet Letter, a novel about the punishment and ignominy of a woman, Hester, in the unforgiving, Puritan... Read more

The Dual Symbolism of the Letter "A" in "The Scarlet Letter"

840 words, approx. 3 pages

Everyone interprets different elements of writing in his own way. Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter consists of a vast variety of symbolism left for the reader to interpret. One of the bigges... Read more

Unconfessed Sin and Redemption in "The Scarlet Letter"

956 words, approx. 4 pages

Just as St. Augustine believed, "[Redemption] is the remission of sins. For it is by this that what has been lost, and was found, is saved from being lost again." Although sin orbits around each soul,... Read more

The Unsuccessful Retribution

2,051 words, approx. 7 pages

Every person who lives up to a decent age would have definitely committed numerous sins and/or crimes. Sin is defined as a shameful offense against "a moral or ethical principle" (Encarta 2005). Sins ... Read more

"The Scarlet Letter" Character Sketches

1,959 words, approx. 7 pages

The poor and gentle Snow White was constantly on the run from her evil stepmother, the queen who wanted her dead simply because of her beauty. Almost every child in America has grown up with the tal... Read more

Ambivalence in The Scarlet Letter

651 words, approx. 3 pages

A famous singer, Paul Simon once said, "Everything looks worse in black and white."  In agreeing with this statement, many people go out of their ways to add more than one dimension to their artw... Read more

The Scarlet Letter essay

1,480 words, approx. 5 pages

In today's society, there are two separate sides: a good side, and an evil side.  The good side is always seen as a positive influence, while the evil side is always seen as a negative influence.... Read more

Whose Sin is Greatest in Scarlet Letter

447 words, approx. 2 pages

Whose Sin is Greatest" It is strange how often other peoples' sins seem so much worse in comparison to our own. In Nathaniel Hawthorne's 1850 novel, The Scarlet Letter, Arthur Dimmesdale, an adu... Read more

The Scarlet Letter: Who Was Most Affected by Hester's Sins

330 words, approx. 2 pages

The Scarlet Letter     In The Scarlet Letter Hester's sin played a big role story.  Although many characters were affected by Hester's sin, Dimmesdale was most affected.  Som... Read more

Dimmesdale as a character

637 words, approx. 3 pages

In The Scarlet Letter there are many interesting characters that contribute to a superior plot. Although this is true, no character is more all-rounded than Rev. Dimmesdale. In the beginning, he was j... Read more

Man Versus Morality

564 words, approx. 2 pages

Throughout the novel The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne develops the Christian Utopia to present to the reader the ideals and way of life the Puritans faced. The main character, Hester Prynne, co... Read more

Roger Chillingworth, A Convincing Leech

1,294 words, approx. 5 pages

In the novel The Scarlet Letter, author Nathaniel Hawthorne draws on the strengths and weaknesses of the characters to control the flow of the story while showcasing the strict religious values... Read more

Differing Reactions to Sins in The Scarlet Letter

1,095 words, approx. 4 pages

Charles Haddon Spurgeon, a seventeenth century Baptist preacher, commented that, "Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and let us see what we are made of." An individual either faces the... Read more

Courage in The Scarlet Letter

561 words, approx. 2 pages

In the novel The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, new ideas and themes are portrayed, giving a whole new meaning to the story. The trials and tribulations that each character faces, and... Read more

Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

1,353 words, approx. 5 pages

Throughout literary history, many works have truly shined as stars against the backdrop of other novels of the time. One such of these great classic novels is The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorn... Read more

Mockery of Hypocrisy

1,273 words, approx. 5 pages

Mockery of Hypocrisy Imagine yourself in a room crowded with people who have committed the crime of theft. You know as well as everyone else in the room that you have stolen something before on purp... Read more

The Scarlet Letter: Hester Prynne and Jesus

484 words, approx. 2 pages

The Scarlet Letter, a novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, talks about a committement shown to not injure another person's life; a commitment that is above all sacrificial, a sacrifice for the sake o... Read more

The Scarlet letter

479 words, approx. 2 pages

In the novel The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the character Hester Prynne to show alienated from culture or society for committing adultery. Hester had the letter A on her chest for the w... Read more

"The Scarlet Letter"

322 words, approx. 2 pages

In today's society, women committing adultery are not judged as austerely as Hester Prynne was in the 17th century. Adultery isn't looked upon as something terribly sinful anymore. In Hester's... Read more

scarlet letter Character Roger Chillingsworth and Reverand Arthur Dimmesdale

1,041 words, approx. 4 pages

A good story usually involves some kind of feud between two characters. A great example of one of these works would be The Scarlet Letter. The Character Roger Chillingsworth and Reverand Arthur Dimmes... Read more

Scarlet Letter: Sin and Redemption

1,157 words, approx. 4 pages

Sin is all around us: in ourselves and in other people in our society. Nathaniel Hawthorne, as many others, believed that in order for a sin to be cancelled the sinner needs penance and penitence. He... Read more

Chiaroscuro in the Scarlet Letter

237 words, approx. 1 pages

Chiaroscuro, as used by Hawthorne in The Scarlet Letter, helps to develop the atmosphere of various scenes, especially those which compare goodness and sin. Hester spent days with her child locke... Read more

Natural Conflict

1,462 words, approx. 5 pages

Throughout The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, nature is used as a symbol to show personal conflict. However, this conflict is not restricted to only interpersonal conflict, but also intrapers... Read more

Character Trace of Arthur Dimmesdale in The Scarlet Letter

920 words, approx. 4 pages

Throughout their life people commit sins, which burden them in many ways. A literary example that has to do with sin and inner conflicts is The Scarlet Letter. The author of The Scarlet Letter is Nath... Read more

A Comparison of the Film and Novel Versions of "The Scarlet Letter"

656 words, approx. 3 pages

Sometimes parts of novels are very similar to their film counterpart. They act like a mirror to the novel, keeping everything the same and only changing scenes do to time restraints. After reading Th... Read more

Edna and Hester: Two Different Women with Similar Personalities

544 words, approx. 2 pages

Edna and Hester are exceptionally alike in numerous ways when talking of their sins. Both committed the same exact sin, in almost the exact same way. The mere difference lied within the way each ch... Read more

Suffering through the Sentence

552 words, approx. 2 pages

Imagine you're a kid in a candy store, who just stole something. You blame it on your friend of course, but who got the worst part of that deal? Sure you get off the hook, but now you have to live wi... Read more

The Scarlet Letter

711 words, approx. 3 pages

The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is an example of the Puritan ways, mostly focusing on the religious and negative aspects. The characters, though fiction, are meant to resemble the... Read more

Symbolism of Character Names in "The Scarlet Letter"

784 words, approx. 3 pages

In the American classic The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author leaves much of the novel to the reader's interpretation. Hawthorne brings into play symbolism to suggest the events that m... Read more

Tone in "The Scarlet Letter"

649 words, approx. 3 pages

"It had the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity and enclosing her in a sphere by herself." Condescension, patronization, sin, revenge, shame, and evil; all of the... Read more

The Greatest Sinner of All in "The Scarlet Letter"

618 words, approx. 3 pages

Who committed the greatest sin? This question, a sin in itself, asks which of the three main characters of The Scarlet Letter is most wicked, with an answer that is quite apparant. Hester, Dimmesdale,... Read more

Explanation of the letter A in "The Scarlet Letter"

364 words, approx. 2 pages

It was burning red in the night sky, it appeared to be glowing, it was the letter A. In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel The Scarlet Letter, the letter A symbolizes a number of things. It can be seen as s... Read more

Hester Prynne

417 words, approx. 2 pages

In the beginning it seemed that Hester was a nice person because of her looks. Since she had sinned none of the Puritans had liked her. They treated her bad because of the one sin she had committed a... Read more

"The Scarlet Letter" in a Nutshell

332 words, approx. 2 pages

Published in 1850, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a story about a young woman's struggle to accept her punishment, wearing a scarlet letter and holding her illegitimate child on a scaffo... Read more

The Setting in "The Scarlet Letter"

240 words, approx. 1 pages

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is set entirely in Boston, Massachusetts; Hawthorne indicates this when talking about the irony that one of the first buildings in Boston was its prison. "...... Read more

The Fate of Hester Prynne

894 words, approx. 3 pages

According to a quotation from Chapter 18 in Nathaniel Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter, "The tendency of [Hester"s] fate and fortune had been to set her free.? Although Hester had gone through a great dea... Read more

The Scarlet Letter - Who Is the Greatest Sinner?

1,211 words, approx. 5 pages

Roger Chillingworth married Hester even though he knew that she did not love him. Marrying without love is just one of the sins he committed. He lies to all of Boston about his true identity and for... Read more

A Comparison of "The Scarlet Letter" and "The Minister's Black Veil"

1,029 words, approx. 4 pages

Throughout his literary endeavors, Nathaniel Hawthorne utilizes symbolism to present a certain theme that pertains to human nature and life. In his works, The Scarlet Letter and "The Minister's Black... Read more

Scarlet Letter - Sin and the Results Thereof

726 words, approx. 3 pages

The Scarlet Letter, a novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne, transpires to become a tale of remorse and intrigue, light and dark, and frailty and sorrow. Its records the plight of a lowly woman, Hester Pryn... Read more

Symbolism in "The Scarlet Letter"

434 words, approx. 2 pages

Symbolism is used everywhere we go. People and things produce images or ideas that we refer to them by. An ambulance uses the + symbol. In the Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel B. Hawthorne, the ... Read more

Symbolism in "The Scarlet Letter"

479 words, approx. 2 pages

"On a field, sable, the letter A, gules." (Hawthorne 240) The gravestone of Hester and Dimmesdale bears this statement. At the end of the book, Hawthorne, leaves the reader full of symbols, ideas an... Read more

Sparkling Irony

936 words, approx. 4 pages

"We have two kinds of morality side by side: one, which we preach but do not practice, and another, which we practice but seldom preach." These words of British philosopher Bertrand Russell captivate ... Read more

Revenge Destroys the Victim and the Seeker

586 words, approx. 2 pages

It has often been said that revenge destroys both the victim and the seeker, but there is no more obvious evidence than in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. As you read the novel you can eas... Read more

The Scarlet Letter - Analysis of the Brook

706 words, approx. 3 pages

"Pearl resembled the brook, inasmuch as the current of her life gushed from a well-spring as mysterious, and had flowed through scenes shadowed as heavily with gloom" (169). Throughout the novel, The... Read more

The Ignominy of Pearl

993 words, approx. 4 pages

In the novel "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Pearl is considered a threat to society. In the time of witch trials, where drowning in the ocean was proof of innocence. And homosexuals wer... Read more

The Depictions of Pearl

1,204 words, approx. 5 pages

Throughout the book The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Pearl stands out more than the rest of the characters. Her quirky, if not devilish ways, are looked upon differently according to differ... Read more

The Worst Sinner in "The Scarlet Letter"

614 words, approx. 3 pages

Love, heartbreak, adultery, public humiliation. These four subjects and many more, are the main themes that run through The Scarlet Letter. Author, Nathaniel Hawthorne, reveals his concerns with th... Read more

The "Custom House" in The Scarlet Letter

777 words, approx. 3 pages

."..An author, methinks, may be autobiographical, without violating either the reader's rights or his own."(Hawthorne 2). These may be the words of the Narrator in the Custom House of The Scarlet Let... Read more

The Scarlet Letter's(ch 1-9)

610 words, approx. 3 pages

"The most dangerous enemy to truth and freedom amongst us is the compact majority." This quote by Henrik Ibsens in An Enemy of the People means that to be completely true and free in your community,... Read more

The Effects of Human Nature Caused by Guilt, from the Scarlet Letter

717 words, approx. 3 pages

Guilt is a leech that feeds off a person's personality. People can be consumed by their own self-judgment, and remorse. They hate themselves for the sin that they have committed. Obsessed to repair th... Read more

Pearl's Suffering and Symbolism

1,135 words, approx. 4 pages

Throughout Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, Pearl, the greatest sufferer, bears the weight of a sin which she neither committed nor understands. Socially, she is shunnedas not only a living symbol of h... Read more

The Scarlet Letter Vs. the Movie

873 words, approx. 3 pages

Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter is a novel about the sin and guilt of two lovers, but the movie based upon it turns the story into one of passionate lust. "Freely adapted" from the book, the... Read more

The Scarlet Letter: Significance of the Scaffolds

798 words, approx. 3 pages

The Scarlet Letter contains three important scenes that take place on the scaffold in the center of town (one in the beginning, one in the middle, and one in the end). These three scaffold scenes he... Read more

The Scarlet Letter: Analysis of the Character of Dimmesdale

1,755 words, approx. 6 pages

Guilt is one of the strongest possible feelings a human can have. At times it is enough to even take over one's life and influence every decision made, such is the case with such characters from lite... Read more

The Scarlet Letter

636 words, approx. 3 pages

In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, "The Scarlet Letter" Hester, a woman living in Puritan times, is sentenced to wear a letter A on her chest. With this A there comes much hatred and pain, yet Hester... Read more

Hawthorne's the Scarlet Letter: a Composed Character Montage

1,294 words, approx. 5 pages

Although initially seeming immaterial, the preface of Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter is a telling preview of his pattern of communicating meaning through the structure of his writing. In his... Read more

Character Analysis of Arthur Dimmesdale in "The Scarlet Letter"

476 words, approx. 2 pages

In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel The Scarlet Letter, the character of the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale has vivid and dramatic character traits which are revealed throughout the plot. Arthur can easily b... Read more

The Unrepentant Sinner

640 words, approx. 3 pages

Every single human being on this earth is sinful. There is no question about that. Whether you are Muslim or Baptist, Catholic or Lutheran, or even if you claim to be an atheist, you would have to ag... Read more

Scarlet Letter: How Guilt Effects Everyone

486 words, approx. 2 pages

Sinners who conceal their sins are effected as much as those who reveal their sins. In the Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the three main characters; Hester Prynne, Dimmesdale and Roger Chilli... Read more

The Scarlet Letter: Dimmesdale's Sin Vs. Hester's Sin

712 words, approx. 3 pages

In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, Hester, the main character is portrayed as the tragic character. She is openly condemned in her society as an adulterer and has to wear a scarlet "A" for ... Read more

Scarlet Letter Analysis

886 words, approx. 3 pages

The Scarlet Letter is a romantic love story. The essays by Ernest Sandeen and Joel Porte both support this thesis. In, "The Scarlet Letter as a Love Story" by Ernest Sandeen, his thesis coincides wi... Read more

Comparison of "The Scarlet Letter" and the Time It Was Written

1,277 words, approx. 5 pages

Literature often reflects the time period that it is written in. Economic success or slumps, times of peril or prosperity, and other significant events in history are frequently shown in the story. "T... Read more

The Suffering of Dimmesdale in "The Scarlet Letter"

799 words, approx. 3 pages

As one looks back to even the ancient records of man-kind's history, there seems to be the repeated archetype of man's onerous suffering ironically brought on to him by his own inability to unload an... Read more

Scarlet Letter: Pearl's Symbolism

500 words, approx. 2 pages

The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne shows how one sin affects the lives of three people. When Hester and Dimmesdale committed their sinful act of love, Pearl was born. Pearl symbolizes a ... Read more

Symbolism in the Scarlet Letter

324 words, approx. 2 pages

Nathaniel Hawthorne is known for the unique symbolism contained in his writings. His 1850 novel The Scarlet Letter is an example of this. Many of his symbols are repeated throughout the book: three o... Read more

Sins in the Scarlet Letter

681 words, approx. 3 pages

One of the themes of the scarlet letter is that a major sin can greatly affect one's life. Not only in his or her immediate future, but also later on. It stays with them. Hester and Dimmesdale w... Read more

Sinful Isolation - the Scarlet Letter

1,156 words, approx. 4 pages

A sinful act has numerous ramifications that gravely affect the sinner and his lifestyle. Nathaniel Hawthorne explores these effects throughout his novel, The Scarlet Letter. The character of Hester... Read more

Villains and Heroes in "The Scarlet Letter"

591 words, approx. 2 pages

In the novel, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the main theme of sin is continually displayed through characters. Although many characters can be accused of doing wrong, there is a distinc... Read more

The Scarlet Letter

759 words, approx. 3 pages

"The Scarlet Letter" is a story that illustrates the lifestyle of Puritans in Massachusetts in 17th century. Nathaniel Hawthorne takes the theme of sin committed by Hester Prynne prior to her affair w... Read more

Symbolism in the Scarlet Letter, the Ministers Black Veil and Young Goodman Brown

649 words, approx. 3 pages

Throughout the stories: The Scarlet Letter, The Minister's Black Veil, and Young Goodman Brown, there are many signs of symbolism that are at times obvious, and others, more hard to find. In both the ... Read more

The Innocent Conscience

881 words, approx. 3 pages

In the Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Pearl's interactions with key characters and the attitudes expressed govern the plot of the novel. Pearl, with a childish innocence infused with an unca... Read more

The Ending of the Story "The Scarlet Letter"

549 words, approx. 2 pages

They both began to feel a strange liberation, and Hester discards her Scarlet Letter and lets her hair down. The day before the ship is about to sail the townspeople gather for a holiday, and Dimmesd... Read more

The Scarlet Letter Vs. The Minister's Black Veil

888 words, approx. 3 pages

Tortured writers throughout history plagued by certain aspects of the human psyche brood obsessively over a small range of psychological themes. Nathaniel Hawthorne is one such author of that assembl... Read more

The Symbols Used in "The Scarlet Letter"

1,469 words, approx. 5 pages

Throughout The Scarlet Letter several recurring symbols and motifs are observed. As with any story, these make the book what it has come to be praised for. Three recurring symbols found in the novel... Read more

Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter: the Effects of an Act of Lust

1,946 words, approx. 7 pages

Often times, an attempt to commence a societal revolution will not go unnoticed, however, it will leave lasting effects that will change one's life forever. Moreover, the consequences of an act ... Read more

Sinning Against Puritan Society

960 words, approx. 4 pages

There are many characters in The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, who suffer from sinning against the Puritan society. The characters live and deal with the effects of sin in different ways. H... Read more

The Scarlet Letter

1,225 words, approx. 5 pages

In this novel you will find that the main characters are the prime examples of Love, Hate, Sin, and Purity. Although adultery is condemned and seen as sin, adultery isn't what Hawthorne focuses on. ... Read more

The Scarlet Letter: An Analysis of Roger Chillingworth

575 words, approx. 2 pages

Ever since the beginning of story telling, villains have been put into literature to give conflict to the story. Sometimes there are numerous villains in a story, but there is always one that is a bi... Read more

The Scarlet Letter: Intense Imagery and Metaphors

1,404 words, approx. 5 pages

Nathaniel Hawthorne writes The Scarlet Letter with intense imagery and metaphors to describe all of the characters throughout the novel. Hawthorne, a very unique writer, does an amazing job of portray... Read more

Puritan Society in the Scarlet Letter

591 words, approx. 2 pages

Trapped in a society ahead of her time, Hester Prynne is wrapped in shame for one mistake for the rest of her life. In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel The Scarlet Letter Hester's passionate nature conflic... Read more

The Scarlet Letter: The Cycle of Suffering and Redemption

1,542 words, approx. 6 pages

Throughout human existence, we have always been concerned with our future. Is there an after-life? How can I make it to heaven? Will God allow me to get in? Is there a way for someone as bad as m... Read more

Misinterpretation of the Scarlet Letter

857 words, approx. 3 pages

The brilliantly embroidered "A" worn by Hester Prynne, Nathaniel Hawthorne's main character in The Scarlet Letter, has commonly been recognized as symbolizing adultery, but the emblem holds countless ... Read more

Scarlet Letter: Character Comparison

686 words, approx. 3 pages

Dimmesdale, a man of faith and strong beliefs was supposed to be the "true religionist" of the Puritan community. People devoted their lives to show moral perfection to Dimmesdale, which gave him "sup... Read more

Scarlet Letter Conflicts

1,256 words, approx. 5 pages

Conflicts are sought all around human nature in every evidence of conspiracy and that of Dimmesdale and Chillingworth will be conclusive of one whom is more aligned to and apparent to resolve the conf... Read more

The Scarlet LEtter: Views of Maternity and Paternity

769 words, approx. 3 pages

Over time, many views and opinions have been argued on the current and historic responsibilities within maternity and paternity. Mothers and fathers have often been given a set of implied responsibi... Read more

Dimmedale's Suffering Throughout the Scarlet Letter

878 words, approx. 3 pages

The Scarlet Letter is a classic novel about sin and suffering written by Nathanial Hawthorne. Suffering is apparent in all three of the main characters in the book, Arthur Dimmesdale, Roger Chilling... Read more

How Is Puritan Society Different Than America's Society Today?

314 words, approx. 2 pages

Typically, in today's society America is conceptualized as a place of freedom, where a person's opportunities are limited only by his or her ambition and ability and not by his or her social status, r... Read more

Guiltiest Character in the Scarlet Lettter

771 words, approx. 3 pages

Who is the guiltiest character in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter? There are three main characters; Hester Prynne Roger Chillingworth, and Arthur Dimmesdale. They all committed greet sins but... Read more

Puritian Values in Today's Society

400 words, approx. 2 pages

Some people think that today's society has no morals or values. But if today's society had the values of puritan times as in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, there would be less crime, less ... Read more

The Scarlet Letter: Character Sketch of Pearl

398 words, approx. 2 pages

Pearl, the daughter of Hester, is best described as perceptive and inquisitive. Although Pearl is a child, she has an ability to observe and analyze people and her surroundings. Pearl is very curious... Read more

The Theme of Color in The Scarlet Letter

974 words, approx. 4 pages

The Scarlet Letter is the story about how life in a Puritan society can be very difficult. The Puritan society in Boston was a moralistic and gloomy place where the citizens dressed in drab colors an... Read more

The Scarlet Letter

898 words, approx. 3 pages

The novel, The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in the 1850's, was a book involved in the ubiquitous movement of Romanticism. The main story is set in the Massachusetts Bay Colony (moder... Read more

Sin in the Scarlet Letter

386 words, approx. 2 pages

Sin is an act that goes against the law or teachings of a particular religion. It is something that everybody should be forgiven for at one point or another in their lives. The classic novel Scarlet... Read more

Truth and Lies in the Scarlet Letter

834 words, approx. 3 pages

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is an interesting novel that has many different themes present throughout the story. The theme that is most clearly expressed is that truth is healthy and fa... Read more

Comparison of Roger Chillingworth and Arthur Dimmesdale

734 words, approx. 3 pages

In the seventeenth century Puritan town of Boston, the author, Nathaniel Hawthorne creates a setting for a story of deception and shame. Throughout the entirety of The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne descri... Read more

The Suffering of Pearl in the Scarlet Letter

1,128 words, approx. 4 pages

Character Analysis on Roger Chillingworth

996 words, approx. 4 pages

Roger Chillingworth is the symbol of sin in its darkest form in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. Hawthorne has given the reader "the rose", which symbolizes your right to decide the true... Read more

Character Discrepancies in the Scarlet Letter

964 words, approx. 4 pages

Can a sinful person redeem him/herself in God's eyes? In the book The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne poses to readers this question. His answer is yes, but the person must truly face the sin an... Read more

Chiaroscuro in the Scarlet Letter

614 words, approx. 3 pages

Chiaroscuro is a literary device that displays the juxtaposition of light and shade. Nathaniel Hawthorne uses chiaroscuro affectively in The Scarlet Letter to define which side of good and sinfulness... Read more

Literary Analysis of the Scarlet Letter

659 words, approx. 3 pages

Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel The Scarlet Letter is a story full of themes of guilt, pride, hypocrisy, retribution, and isolation. Taking place during the seventeenth century, the story of Hester Prynne... Read more

Scarlet Letter

867 words, approx. 3 pages

"But the point which drew all eyes... was the scarlet letter, so fantastically embroidered and illuminated upon her bosom. It had the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with ... Read more

The Scarlet Letter

719 words, approx. 3 pages

Technical terms are imperative in the development of a novel. In chapter three of the novel The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne introduces stylistic devices to enhance the novel as well as the characters. ... Read more

The Scarlet Letter as a Romance Novel

1,248 words, approx. 5 pages

A romance novel consists of more than intense love scenes and emotional dialogue, but the imagination of the author. Hawthorne calls the novel The Scarlet Letter a romance because the novel portrays ... Read more

Scarlett Letter Compared to Huck Finn

574 words, approx. 2 pages

It has been said, "In literature, evil often triumphs but never conquers." What this statement is saying is that in literature the evil or antagonistic force throughout the story will often affect the... Read more

Physical Aspects in the Scarlet Letter

699 words, approx. 3 pages

The physical setting in "The Scarlet Letter" often reflects the mood and tone of the scene. Symbolism is shown between the setting and what takes place in the story. Situations are effected by were an... Read more

"a" Is for Angel

1,349 words, approx. 5 pages

Hester Prynne, the protagonist in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, was forced to wear a symbol that would humiliate her within Puritan society for the rest of her days. However, this scarlet ... Read more

Symbolism in the Scarlet Letter

1,845 words, approx. 7 pages

The Dichotomy of Literature For every right there is a wrong. One person's hero is another's terrorist. The world is made up of black and white, a dichotomy that causes conflict between opposing part... Read more

The Scarlet Letter

903 words, approx. 4 pages

The Scarlet Letter Character Analysis

646 words, approx. 3 pages

In the novel, " The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne, there are four major characters. The four characters are Arthur Dimmesdale, Hester Pryne, Roger Chillingworth, and Pearl. These characte... Read more

Symbolism in the Scarlet Letter

1,319 words, approx. 5 pages

In the novel "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne symbolism is used to represent the evolution of the characters primarily that of Hester Prynne. Two of these symbols as they are used repeatedl... Read more

The Symbolism of the Scaffold in the Scarlet Letter

1,710 words, approx. 6 pages

One may ask themselves when as an adult in society, if they have ever done something not as being what suits them best, but what the society around them feels is the right thing. In The Scarlet Lette... Read more

The Symbolism of The Scaffold in "The Scarlet Letter"

1,307 words, approx. 5 pages

The scaffold is a recurrent image in the novel, The Scarlet Letter. It is recognized as the most public place in the Puritan society and used for public humiliation. It is known as an instrument of t... Read more

Theme of Isolation in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

756 words, approx. 3 pages

Isolation Morality is abiding by a code of ethics of good and bad principles. Isolation changes people for better or for worse, which lets them discover their true self. The Scarlet Letter by Natha... Read more

Little Pearl from The Scarlet Letter

568 words, approx. 2 pages

Little Pearl At the end of The Scarlet Letter, a matter is left unresolved, regarding the whereabouts of little Pearl. The girl is by many thought to have f... Read more

The Scarlet Letter

438 words, approx. 2 pages

The theme or purpose of this book is that when a person commits a sin and does not confess, that sin will destroy the soul. Hester is the main character and had committed adultery with Dimmesdale. ... Read more

Critical Analysis of Chapter 13, Scarlet Letter

940 words, approx. 4 pages

Midway through The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne gives the reader an in-depth look at the change in Hester Prynne's character. The chapter title: "Another View of Hester" sets the stage for the... Read more

Scarlet Letter: Dimmesdale and Chillingworth

815 words, approx. 3 pages

In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne creates two characters that closely interact with the book's main character, Hester Prynne. These two men are Roger Chillingworth, who is secretly her husb... Read more

Scarlet Letter: Dimmesdale and Chillingworth

448 words, approx. 2 pages

Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter is a novel that describes the lives of people closely linked to Hester Prynne while she is living in seventeenth-century. The society in which she lives ... Read more

Use of Light & Darkness in the Scarlet Letter

844 words, approx. 3 pages

Nathaniel Hawthorne has been known to be an amazing writer when it comes to his quality of the use of language and his interesting ways to write sentences and portray many things. One of his most famo... Read more

The Scarlet Letter

1,170 words, approx. 4 pages

The Scarlet Letter Living within the strict harsh rules of the Puritans, Hester Prynne had to hold her head up high after committing the act of adultery. She was forced to wear the scarlet letter "A... Read more

Sunshine and Shadow Motifs in The Scarlet Letter

553 words, approx. 2 pages

Sunshine and Shadow Motifs (TS) The sunshine and shadow motif in The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, represents how darkness symbolizes shame, sin, and disgrace,... Read more

Pearl as a Symbol of Sin in "The Scarlet Letter"

1,056 words, approx. 4 pages

In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel "The Scarlet Letter," young Pearl, at the age of a few months, is already considered a product of sin; she is even stifled by the judgment passed not only on Hester but ... Read more

Hester Prynne

764 words, approx. 3 pages

In the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester Prynne, who portrays a Puritan woman living in Boston, proves to be a dynamic character. Hester has committed adultery. The town feels l... Read more

Healthy Confusion in the Scarlet Letter

1,060 words, approx. 4 pages

Healthy Confusion in The Scarlet Letter Hester Prynne was like no other woman of her day. Being ostracized from Puritan society for committing the unpardonable sin of adultery and henceforth spendin... Read more

Heaven, Earth, and Hell in The Scarlet Letter

639 words, approx. 3 pages

The placement in which an author positions the characters in a scene can tell the reader a great deal about the character and their role in the story. In chapter three of The Scarlet Letter, by... Read more

Scarlet Letter, Pearl

845 words, approx. 3 pages

The Scarlet letter is a novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The plot focuses on sin in the Puritan society. Hester Prynne, the protagonist, has an affair with Reverend Dimmesdale, which means they a... Read more

The Scarlet Letter

455 words, approx. 2 pages

In the novel, The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, acknowledged the three scaffold scenes that deciphered the importance of the central conflict of the book, which was Arthur Dimmesdale... Read more

"The Scarlet Letter" Character Sketches

1,152 words, approx. 4 pages

Hester In Nathanial Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter", Hester is Hawthorne's heroine, and as such she must face the toughest of all moral dilemmas, her own sin. In the Governors hall as Hester savag... Read more

Symbolism in the Scarlett Letter

1,207 words, approx. 5 pages

The symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter in "A Forest Walk" parallels the present state of the life of Hester Prynne, and foreshadows events to come. When Hester and Pearl first ent... Read more

The Power of Pearl

626 words, approx. 3 pages

One of the most significant writers of the romantic period is Nathaniel Hawthorne. In his novel, The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne tells of the punishment of a woman, Hester Prynne, who has committed adul... Read more

Pearl in The Scarlet Letter: Angel or Demon?

711 words, approx. 3 pages

Young children can be a blessing or they can be a curse. Some can be both at the same time, but others can only do one of the two. It all depends upon their surroundings, and their upraising. In the n... Read more

"In All That We Do, Let Us Do It for Love"

550 words, approx. 2 pages

To commit a sin, especially adultery is an incredibly disgraceful act, but to commit adultery in a Boston colony during the 1700's was inexcusable, and customarily punished by death. However, in... Read more

Roger Chillingsworth's Evil

604 words, approx. 3 pages

As his name suggests, Roger Chillingworth is a man deficient in human warmth. Although regarded as a well-learned doctor in the Puritan community behind closed doors he doesn't quite follow the Hippoc... Read more

Hester Prynne: Transformed by the Scarlet Letter

338 words, approx. 2 pages

Hester Prynne is a strong young woman who doesn't care what others say or think about her. She is the basis of the novel. Walking to the scaffold from the prison, she holds her head high and doesn't ... Read more

666 words, approx. 3 pages

Who would think a studious old man named Chillingworth and a wild and young child named Pearl would have anything in common? These two characters have a great number of differences but, they have man... Read more

The Good, the Bad, and the Puritans in The Scarlet Letter

1,437 words, approx. 5 pages

The Good, the Bad and the Puritans The Puritans of Boston are either good or evil in Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel the Scarlet Letter. The author bases the novel on Hester Prynne's point of view. Fro... Read more

The Worst Sinner in The Scarlet Letter

1,382 words, approx. 5 pages

The Scarlet Letter illustrates that the illumination of self-deception gapes open after one like the very jaws of hell. This is apparent through all the main characters of the novel. Although Hawthorn... Read more

The Scarlet Letter

1,415 words, approx. 5 pages

Scarlet Letter Essays At the start of the novel, the audience finds out that Hester has committed adultery. The entire community looks down on her for her crime. The A first means Adultery. The magi... Read more

Arthur Dimmesdale's Guilty Pleasures

697 words, approx. 3 pages

Picture it: Boston, Massachusetts. In the middle of the 17th century, a woman is accused of adultery and the norm of punishment is death, but this woman lives. Her punishment becomes public showings, ... Read more

The Scarlet Letter Psychology of Sin

1,673 words, approx. 6 pages

The Psychology of Puritanism contained many stands of fundamental obligations. Although the puritans openly acknowledged natural human desires, they had a strongly held belief in moderation in all thi... Read more

The Scarlet Letter: Prison Door Analysis

683 words, approx. 3 pages

The Scarlet Letter "The Prison Door" Analysis In the first chapter "The Prison Door" of The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne's diction of details and imagery allows for him to set the tone, setting, and sym... Read more

Pearl, an Implausible Character: the Scarlet Letter

1,308 words, approx. 5 pages

Pearl, an Implausible Character In the novel, The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the main character, Hester, commits adultery and is forced to wear the scarlet letter "A" and to relive every... Read more

Themes of the Scarlett Letter

1,115 words, approx. 4 pages

Throughout the novel "The Scarlet Letter" there are several themes that are essential to the development of the book. Sin, Knowledge, Human Condition, Nature of Evil, and Identity & Society are the... Read more

The Three Scaffold Scenes in The Scarlet Letter

1,022 words, approx. 4 pages

Nathaniel Hawthrone's The Scarlet Letter, occurring amidst the remarkable cruelty of Puritan society, depicts the sin of adultery committed by Hester Prynne and the distinguished Reverend Dimmesdale. ... Read more

The Impact of Burdens as Portrayed in The Scarlet Letter

361 words, approx. 2 pages

Burdens beared within the soul will eventually outwardly manifest themselves on the body as portrayed in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. This credence is apparent in Hester Prynne, Reverend... Read more

Exposed Sin vs. Hidden Sin in The Scarlet Letter

1,336 words, approx. 5 pages

In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne is greatly concerned with two types of sins, both hidden and exposed, which act as two major themes that constitute the central idea of the novel. According to Hawthor... Read more

Scarlet Letter

728 words, approx. 3 pages

Bill Foo English III honors Ms. Cimino 11-20-05 Scarlet Letter "Man is good by nature but is corrupted by society"-Jean Jacque Rousseau. In Nathaniel Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter, the characterist... Read more

Powers of Imprisonment in The Scarlet Letter

1,336 words, approx. 5 pages

Places such as solitary confinement, detention, and penitentiaries are all types of imprisonment, but Nathaniel Hawthorne exemplifies many different powers of imprisonment throughout his best-known no... Read more

Imprisonment in The Scarlet Letter

1,295 words, approx. 5 pages

Imprisoned Lives Imprisonment may be defined as putting someone in prison or jail as lawful punishment, but in reality imprisonment can occur in numerous different ways. One can be ... Read more

Nathaniel Hawthorne's Disdain for the Puritans in The Scarlet Letter

679 words, approx. 3 pages

The Scarlet Letter In Nathaniel Hawthorne's shrewd passage from the Scarlet Letter, he reveals through his cynical narrator, a description of vile disdain for the Puritan community. Using diction an... Read more

Symbols of Sin in "The Scarlet Letter"

1,243 words, approx. 5 pages

The Scarlet Letter: A novel of Intricate Symbolism Symbolism is the practical use of any iconic representation, which carries particular conventional meanings. Within The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Ha... Read more

Why Does Hester Prynne Choose to Stay?

1,023 words, approx. 4 pages

Hester Prynne, the main character in the story The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is a social outcast within her society as a result of the crime she committed; yet she does not leave. In th... Read more

Chillingworth's Revenge

1,002 words, approx. 4 pages

In an infinite amount of literature, authors associate various characters with significant symbols. Through the ways of symbolism, the author is able to embody that character to his or her own choosin... Read more

Pearl: The Reminder of Hester's Sin in "The Scarlet Letter"

2,221 words, approx. 8 pages

In the novel "The Scarlet Letter", Nathaniel Hawthorne made Pearl act in many ways to remind Hester of her sin. Hester committed adultery with Dimmesdale, so her punishment was to wear a scarlet lette... Read more

Scarlet Letter

3,316 words, approx. 12 pages

"The scarlet letter is a study of the effects of sin on the hearts and minds of Hester, Dimmesdale and Chillingworth." Mark Van Doren Examine "The Scarlet letter" in light of this statement. In y... Read more

Arthur Dimmesdale: The Crushing Weight of Guilt

500 words, approx. 2 pages

The Scarlet Letter Essay The Crushing Weight of Guilt In his novel, The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne delves deeply into exploring the dynamics and conflicts characteristic of shame. The conc... Read more

Characters and Setting in "The Scarlet Letter"

3,531 words, approx. 12 pages

In Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter," Pearl is not portrayed in the novel as simply an ordinary rambunctious child. She is given no definite description physically, but her emotions and behav... Read more

Puritianism and Literary Techniques in "The Scarlet Letter"

3,845 words, approx. 13 pages

"Nathaniel Hawthorne has made a beautiful, admirable, extraordinary approach in this novel" said Henry James regarding The Scarlet Letter. It has the beauty and harmony of all original and complete co... Read more

Irony in The Scarlet Letter

1,083 words, approx. 4 pages

Drama in Puritan Times By Emily Bryant For most, Puritan life isn't usually associated with excitement. However, in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter he proves this stereotype wrong and pres... Read more

Imagery + Symbolism in the Scarlet Letter

1,625 words, approx. 6 pages

Imagery and symbolism are used throughout The Scarlet Letter to define and develop characters, set scene and tone, and to aid in plot progression. Hester and Dimmesdale are the most human characte... Read more

The Scarlet Letter

998 words, approx. 4 pages

"No, my little Pearl!' said her mother.'Thou must gather thine own sunshine. I have none to give thee!" (95; ch. 7) Nathaniel Hawthorne was known for using nature as a very obvious symbol in this nove... Read more

Free Book Notes (1)

The Scarlet Letter

15,407 words, approx. 52 pages

The Scarlet Letter Book Notes is a free study guide on The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Browse the summary below:   Author Biography / Context of the Work   One-Page Plot Summa... Read more

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