Reply to one of the following questions about The Scarlet Letter.
I do actually read all of your comments and most of you are extremely inciteful.
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Does Hawthorne condone or condemn Hester and Dimsdale in the novel? What are Hawthorne's views of them and their actions? What are your own?
Because the novel is set before the time in which he is writing, Hawthorne deliberately uses an old-fashioned style with some archaic language. Do you find this effective or a distraction? How?
How does Hawthorne describes the scarlet letter itself in the novel. Why do you think that he describes it in each case?
What does Hawthorne mean by the "black man?"
Where Hawthorne seems to uncritically hold Hester up for our admiration is in her steadfast refusal to name Pearl's father. Why do you think this is? Do you share his admiration for this action?
Why do you think Hester repeatedly refuses to stop wearing the scarlet letter? Why does she refuse to have an identity outside of one that includes the scarlet letter?
What is the difference between the events that happen in the forest as opposed to events that happen in the town? Are the settings interchangeable? What about for Dimsdale?
. . . and finally - something we NEVER got around to talking about:
Native Americans make a few brief and mysterious appearances in this novel. What role do they play? Why do you think that Hawthorne uses Native Americans in this way?
Reply by Tuesday night - 9/24 @ midnight.
