The Scarlet Letter

[Zeruiah]

Hi,

I just recently heard about this book when my friend told me that he will be forced to read it next year in his junior year English class. I won't need to read it, however, since I will be doing an IB English course instead. Even though I won't be required to read it, I am interested in it because books that are high school requirement tend to be somewhat enjoyable (that is, if you like reading).

I'm a little turned off by it though because it sounds like--if you'll excuse my shallow term--a "girl's book." By "girl's book" I mean a romance novel like Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice that invests more pages on dreamy descriptions of attractive people than it does an intriguing storyline or a complex theme (mind you I haven't actually read any Jane Austen novels, but I'm pretty sure the book goes in something at least close to my description). Not that there is anything wrong with those sorts of books, but--like I said--it's not my style. It's already quite a stretch for me to even read a romance novel, nonetheless endure pages and pages of, IMO, effeminate narrative prose and dialog.

So do you think I'll be able to handle the romance or is it too dominate for someone as young and shallow as me to enjoy?

P.S. Please don't chastise me for my ignorance towards "girl's books." I just want to know about The Scarlet Letter.

[amalia1985]

In my opinion, I think you will adore it, as I did. It was one of the first "proper" books I read, and it has remained one of my favorites ever since.

The "romance" issue is not the way you picture it to be. It is dark- gothic, I could say, although I don't think the term is proper here. It has to do with devotion, principles, betrayal, emancipation, freedom from prejudice, and the Human's right to live free, not according to rules established by the Church, the Society, and other institutions.

I know what you mean by the term "girl's book", and I admit I've often found myself in your position, but "The Scarlet Letter" does not belong into that category. I think you will enjoy it!!

[ntropyincarnate]

I don't think it's a girl's book. But I didn't particularly care for it, it was all allegory and symbolism, it wasn't supposed to be real. But I don't think it went overboard on the romance at all.

[Dori]

I'm also turned off by Jane Austen's novels, and I loved The Scarlet Letter. It's nothing like a "girl's book." I had to write a poem about one of the characters in the SL for English class, so I chose my favorite character, Roger Chillingworth. Here it is:

Roger
Malevolent, eager, devilish, scholarly
Husband of Hester Prynne
Lover of alchemy, knowledge, and truth
Who feels obligated to the truth
Who needs satisfaction and revenge
Who gives grief, health, and suffrage
Who fears being known and truthfully exposed
Who would like to see Dimmesdale suffer
Resident of Boston, Massachusetts
Chillingworth

Does it sound like he would belong to a "girly" romance?

Read the reviews on Amazon.com; I always find them helpful.
The Scarlet Letter at Amazon.com

Also, you can check The Scarlet Letter subforum here on Linet.
The Scarlet Letter at Online-literature.com

(BTW, I believe this topic belongs in the aforementioned subforum.)

All in all, I enjoyed this book immensely.
(I was also required to read it for English.)

[Zeruiah]

Looks like I'm going to read it then.

Thanks for the helpful advice; and thank you for not overreacting towards my literary preferences.

I'm glad you all replied so quickly. I can't go back to the bookstore for at least a few weeks after today since I'm going to be busy. It was necessary for me to know what I should buy as soon as possible to make a final decision.

[Whifflingpin]

"when my friend told me that he will be forced to read it next year in his junior year English class."

Odd choice of phrase. Do we say "forced to learn algebra in maths class" or "forced to learn about volcanoes in geography?" Perhaps we do these days. What a hard life schoolchildren lead.

[Dori]

"when my friend told me that he will be forced to read it next year in his junior year English class."

Odd choice of phrase. Do we say "forced to learn algebra in maths class" or "forced to learn about volcanoes in geography?" Perhaps we do these days. What a hard life schoolchildren lead.

I agree. I would much prefer a fellow student say, "I was blessed with the opportunity of reading and discussing The Scarlet Letter in English class last year."

[EugenieIsabelle]

I'm sorry you regard Pride and Prejudice as a girls' novel and won't read it on that accound only. I assure you that although it certainly is a romance, it contains few descriptions of attractive people. If you are at all interested in linguistics, for instance, you will appreciate the flow and beauty of the language...

I'm sorry for the lecture, especially as you did not wish to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of "girls' books". By all means read "The Scarlet Letter."

[Readalot]

The last thing I think about when I think of The Scarlet Letter is romance! Having read the book several times, I can tell you to take amalia1985's advice because it is right on target. I believe you should consider reading a little Jane Austen someday as well. It never hurts to be well read and well rounded. Again, Austen is not girlie, but a great commentator on the arbitrary societal rules of her day. Always consider what else the writer is saying beyond what is written. Read as many different styles as you can--and you must not miss out on The Scarlet Letter. It is essential reading, quite suitable for IB or otherwise. I read it in high school, again in college, and I now teach it. Hester Prynne might very well have been the first American feminist, even if she is only a character in a book.

[aeroport]

Hi,
It's already quite a stretch for me to even read a romance novel, nonetheless endure pages and pages of, IMO, effeminate narrative prose and dialog.

So do you think I'll be able to handle the romance or is it too dominate for someone as young and shallow as me to enjoy?

P.S. Please don't chastise me for my ignorance towards "girl's books." I just want to know about The Scarlet Letter.

In the days of Hawthorne, 'romance' meant something very different - namely, that the work is not realistic, in the way that a 'novel' was expected to be. It is a product of fancy, rather than minute observation, and relies on a believable presentation of psychology to make its point. Thus, lots of symbolism and the like. To read Hawthorne's own conception of the 'romantic' element in his works, go here - this is the Preface to his next work, The House of the Seven Gables (not the long introduction, but the shorter part beneath it).