CliffsNotes on Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format.In CliffsNotes on Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter, you explore life in 17th-century Massachusetts as you follow the ordeal of Hester Prynne, who has been found guilty of adultery and sentenced to wear a scarlet letter A on her dress as a sign of shame. The Scarlet Letter is considered to be Hawthornes finest work, depicting a world where the real meets the unreal, the actual meets the imaginaryin a classic story that is difficult to forget.This study guide carefully walks you through every step of Hesters journey by providing summaries and critical analyses of each chapter of the novel. Youll also explore the life and background of the author, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and gain insight into how he came to write The Scarlet Letter. Other features that help you study includeCharacter analyses of major playersA character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the charactersCritical essays on the novels setting and structure, symbolism, and classification as a gothic romanceA review section that tests your knowledgeA Resource Center full of books, articles, films, and Internet sitesClassic literature or modern-day treasureyoull understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.