In a small Puritan community, Hester has a baby, but her husband has been away for years. She is forced to wear a bright red "A" sewn onto on her dress, broadcasting her disgrace as an Adulteress. When her jealous and deranged husband returns, he becomes obsessed with finding the truth, no matter what it takes. Lives hang in the balance as the secret shared by Hester and her lover threatens to consume them all. A gothic novel of romance, revenge, and redemption, The Scarlet Letter still resonates with readers today. Find out why in this unabridged original from 1850.
Keynote Classics unabridged classic literature feature a no-spoiler Introductory Key, explanatory footnotes, and wide margins for note-taking to help readers get more from their reading experience, and remember, discuss, or write more confidently about classic literature.
Annotated Keynote Classics begin with an Introductory Key to the work with hints about what to look for to find deeper meaning. Unlike other literature study guides, they contain no spoilers and don't specify themes, motifs, and symbols found in the novel. Instead, they point out general ideas and things to pay attention to that help you find your own interpretations. Footnotes help foster understanding, and historical context about the author and the prevailing culture provides important perspective. Questions are provided at the end to help inspire discussion or essay topics. Teachers recommend that you read actively and engage with the text to help you draw on your own knowledge and experience to get more out of a novel. Keynote Classics(TM) paperbacks provide more space in the margins for writing down thoughts, connections, and interpretations as you read.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel: - Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on the fourth of July in 1804 and went on to become one of the most influential American authors of all time. Much of his work draws on his Puritan ancestry and colonial history in psychological tales that explore gender, politics, religion, and community. He is best known for his short story collections, "Twice Told Tales" and "Mosses from an Old Manse," and his novels The Scarlet Letter and The House of Seven Gables. Nathaniel Hawthorne's stories lend themselves to multiple interpretations, and thus provide a valuable introduction to literary analysis.
White, Michelle M.: - Michelle M. White has always loved reading classic novels and history books while raising her kids and working as a book designer. When her youngest son finished homeschool and started college, she too went back to school and earned degrees in History and English, focusing on nineteenth century culture and literature. She put her passion for books and history to work in her dream job by publishing Annotated Keynote Classics. Her favorite part is researching the authors and their times in history, putting it into context with their work, and discovering the clues that will help readers and students to get more enjoyment from the books. Michelle lives in South Florida with her husband, son, and their dog and cat. In addition to reading, she enjoys beach time, travel, and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more about Michelle M. White and her work at KeynoteClassics.com.
