Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Classic or not?

The book The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is considered a classic, but times have dramatically changed since Hawthorne wrote it. That leaves the question: can this book still be considered a classic today? After reading this and taking into account the criteria for a classic, it is determined that this book meets many of the criteria that signify it as a classic. The Scarlet Letter is a classic today and will continue to be for years to come.

Even though times have changed and the language, way people act, etc. are very different today from the time period of the book, it still deserves the title of a classic. First of all, this book should still be considered a classic because it makes the reader think more critically and in depth than a normal story would. It has many symbols, illusions, etc. that the reader can deduce throughout the entire book. It also has many situations that keep the reader hanging and leaves open a lot of room for their own interpretation. Even the characters leave room for the reader to interpret and analyze their actions and behaviors.

Second, this book was written very many years ago and it still is being used in classrooms today. Obviously, it is timeless because of how known it was when first written and how known it still is decades later. Many people have read, or at least know of, this book. Also, there is two movies made from this book. A book has to be pretty good and known to not only have one, but two movies made for it. This book is still getting read today and will continue for many years to come.

Finally, this book has many reoccurring, known themes such as revenge, sin, etc. Everybody, from any and everywhere, know these themes and have been in or have at least witnessed them. Most people can relate to these and learn something from how the characters reacted to problems/situations in the book or the problems/situations in general. All in all, this book was a classic long ago, is a classic today, and will continue to be a classic for years to come.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Quote #6

In chapter 19 of The Scarlet Letter, Hester and Dimmesdale start meeting in the woods more often to be together and to try to get Pearl to know her father. At this time, Hester has taken the scarlet letter off her bosom. However, Pearl seems to dislike her own mother without the scarlet letter on. She acts as if she wants nothing to do with her. Hester gives in and puts the scarlet letter back on so her daughter will go back to normal. "With these words, she advanced to the margin of the brook, took up the scarlet letter, and fastened it again into her bosom." It is very disappointing and tragic that when Hester finally decides to try and forget her sin and live a satisfied, joyful life, Pearl won’t have anything to do with her. The townspeople, by making Hester wear this scarlet letter, has jeopardized not only Hester’s happiness, but also Pearl’s happiness.

Pearl has only known her mother with the scarlet letter on her bosom. She has never seen her mother without it, so when she takes it off Hester seems like a stranger. To Pearl it’s like her mother is taking away a part of herself, but to Hester it’s like she is cleansing herself. Of course a good mother would do whatever to keep her child happy, so she puts the scarlet letter back on. Nevertheless, keeping the scarlet letter on makes Hester very unhappy and not lively. The punishment of wearing the scarlet letter, for a mistake she made so many years before, has ultimately doomed Hester and that is very heartrending.