Skip to main content

Questions tagged [the-scarlet-letter]

For questions about The Scarlet Letter, the novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Use in conjunction with [nathaniel-hawthorne].

1 vote
1 answer
232 views

Symbolism of the name Red Rose in Chapter 8 of The Scarlet Letter

In Chapter VIII of Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel The Scarlet Letter, The Elf-Child and the Minister, the name Red Rose serves as a symbol of their shared passion and love. "Pearl?—Ruby, rather—or ...
Arunabh's user avatar
  • 79
0 votes
1 answer
140 views

In The Scarlet Letter, did Hawthorne misuse the word prolixity?

The passage is beautiful, but I simply can't make sense of the descriptor "unpicturesque prolixity" where he writes Soon, likewise, my old native town .. with only imaginary inhabitants to ...
Stephen Waterhouse's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
205 views

What is the meaning of this excerpt from "The Scarlet Letter"?

What is the meaning of this excerpt from chapter 3 of The Scarlet Letter (1850) by Nathaniel Hawthorne? They were, doubtless, good men, just and sage. But, out of the whole human family, it would not ...
michaelgs's user avatar
25 votes
4 answers
9k views

What is a Daniel?

In Chapter Three of The Scarlet Letter we find the following as a response to a question of who the father of Hester’s child is: Of a truth, friend, that matter remaineth a riddle; and the Daniel who ...
Alex's user avatar
  • 3,509
2 votes
0 answers
198 views

Near the end of The Scarlet Letter, is it plausible that Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale will marry?

Near the end of The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale meet in the woods and talk. At the end of this conversation they seem intent on returning to Europe to marry. Is this plan at ...
Chaim's user avatar
  • 614
-1 votes
1 answer
136 views

Understanding passage from Scarlet Letter about "keeping with the scene"?

I am reading this part of the Scarlet Letter in the Custom House: It would be too much in keeping with the scene to excite surprise, were we to look about us and discover a form, beloved, but gone ...
Pablo's user avatar
  • 187
14 votes
1 answer
943 views

What does the physical Scarlet Letter represent?

I love The Scarlet Letter, but I surprised to find out that I did not even know what it was supposed to represent. Its significance seemed to change throughout the book. Is there one central symbol ...
Matrim Cauthon's user avatar