Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: HORRIBLE. Review: This is probably the most painfully boring novel I've ever had to suffer through. The characters are annoying, the plot is uninteresting and it is overdeveloped.
Basically, Dimmesdale becomes suicidal and physically ill due to the guilt he has for not admitting his sin, as he allowed Hester to take all of the blame. Admit your sins as Hester did, live a happy life. The end. You don't need to suffer through the whole book.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Depth Review: This isn't your book if your looking for adventure or swordfights or any of that sort
I had to read this for my English class and my first impression was from all the other rumors about it.. "it's boring" and etc. As a result, when I began reading I held that in my mind. However as I kept reading, I discovered Hawthorne's character are so 3 dimensional in their personality and who they really are. Hawthorne does an AMAZING job of describing his characters and giving them life I couldn't help but begin to really love the book
The only problem was when I had to give my presentation on it.. Hawthorne took all my insight..hahaha
Rating: ![4 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-4-0.gif) Summary: Strengths and Weaknesses Review: This story has been synopsized repeatedly on this item page, and I'll not be redundant. Instead, I'll move directly to explaining the four-star rating I gave it.Strengths 1. It is, from a technical standpoint, very well-written. 2. It paints a clear picture of the era. 3. It describes, and questions, the social mores regarding infidelity and adultery. 4. It describes the consequences of adultery, not just for the unfaithful spouse, but for all affected parties. Weaknesses 1. "The Scarlet Letter" is very detailed and descriptive, and can be boring at times, especially in the beginning. 2. Many adults think this is a great book for teens to read. Most of the teens I've discussed this book with do not agree; they find it boring, wordy, and irrelevant.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Read This Book Review: This story is a moving representation of the dissonance that can be found between the human soul and society. Hester Prynne's suffering is painful because the reader understands that though she feels the sin of her actions, it is society that has condemned her. She must forfeit her freedom to walk as an equal citizen of Boston, never allowed to forget the silent agony haunting her every moment. It is not only Hester who is affected by social expectations and custom; it is eventually revealed to the reader that Hester's crime affects those who surround her, which tells us how much of an impact a individual's actions can have on another. Hawthorne's novel displays this fallen, detached member of Puritan society, but counters it with the revolutionist, the demon, the wild rose of Puritan lifestyle--perhaps hinting at the author's dislike for Puritan attitudes. Hawthorne reiterates these two devices: depicting his personal opinion through the actions of the characters and creating characters that refract each other. This is an amazing part of American literature, reflecting on human behavior and commenting on aspects of American history. How do people today act and react to each other, dominated by our culture's expectations? How are we self-serving or self-deprecating? A tip to readers: "The Custom House" (the book's preface) is dense stuff, quite possible of cultivating a strong dislike for Hawthorne as a writer, so I recommend saving it for last or skipping it completely. "It is remarkable that persons who speculate the most boldly often conform with the most perfect quietude to the external regulations of society. The thought suffices them without investing itself in the flesh and blood of action."
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