Inspired by current cultural movements and the new wave of feminism, these releases of classic books feature strong female protagonists who must navigate difficult situations involving class and power, love and loss, sex and family, independence and societal norms, and more. The red letter on Hester Prynne's dress proclaims a dangerous statement: that she, married and with a young daughter, committed the sin of adultery. First jailed, now Hester finds herself defenseless on a stage, to be judged and condemned in front of ...
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Inspired by current cultural movements and the new wave of feminism, these releases of classic books feature strong female protagonists who must navigate difficult situations involving class and power, love and loss, sex and family, independence and societal norms, and more. The red letter on Hester Prynne's dress proclaims a dangerous statement: that she, married and with a young daughter, committed the sin of adultery. First jailed, now Hester finds herself defenseless on a stage, to be judged and condemned in front of the whole community. Yet it is the young clergyman Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale who seems to bear a heavy conscience for being just an innocent bystander, while an enraged man who calls himself Roger Chillingworth hides among the wrathful citizens below. Neither are who they appear, and their ties to Hester share more secrets than other people know. With her and her daughter's livelihoods and the truth at stake, Hester must fight against everything her world believes in if she wants to live and raise her daughter in peace. First published in 1850 and lauded as Nathaniel Hawthorne's masterpiece, The Scarlet Letter explores themes of marriage, adultery, sin, and the religious values that were embedded in a Puritan society, emerging to question the means and ends of revenge and repentance, justice and judgment, and what knowledge and truth mean in relation to morality. Z Lit Classics revives some of the most beloved works in classic literature in a luxe, eye-catching paperback format to appeal to the Generation Z buyer, though these timeless stories will appeal to anyone interested in the female experience throughout history. Each book also comes with a tearaway bookmark hidden inside the back flap.
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The novel begins with the narrator, a Custom House official, who happens to find a scarlet letter "A" in a box he finds one day in the office. The narrator then relates the story of Hester Prynne, the original bearer of the scarlet letter, who lived in Boston when it was just a small Puritan settlement in the seventeenth century.
Hester's story begins on a scaffold just outside the town prison. She has committed adultery, given birth to a child out of wedlock, and refuses to name the man with whom she had the affair. The village leaders hope to shame her into naming her lover by making her into a public spectacle. Even under intense pressure, Hester refuses to reveal her secret. She alone must bear the shame and isolation resulting from her actions. As a punishment, Hester is made to wear a scarlet letter "A" on her chest at all times. The letter "A" stands for adultery and causes her and her daughter to be scorned by the members of her community.
FanOfTimeLifeBooks
Jun 22, 2015
Sin and Punishment in Puritan Boston
Written in 1850 and set in Puritan Boston in the 1600s, The Scarlet Letter tells the story of Hester Prynne and her punishment for committing adultery. The novel develops the themes of sin, punishment, isolation, and redemption. The letter A worn by Hester Prynne means adultery but could also mean able or afflicted depending on how one interprets the book. I liked this story very much but I found the writing style a bit ponderous at times. Still, this is a good historical novel dealing with sin and suffering in a historical context.
sarab
Dec 3, 2009
Women's Rights in Puritan Times
I am not done with the book - I am about half-way through. But I am enjoying this book even though the book is a realistic view of women's rights set during the 1600's America. It is not easy reading but the book has given me topics to review and contemplate.
JTucknessB
Nov 19, 2009
Red Letter Book
I found ?The Scarlet Letter? to be first rate. Well written and descriptive of the period. I?m sorry that it took me so many years to get around to reading it. Most people read it in high school.
torinicole2009
Nov 18, 2008
Nice Read
This is a great classic book. I really enjoyed it when we had to read as a class in highschool my first year. It's great for class discussions.
