The Scarlet Letter
When reading The Scarlet Letter, one might find the introduction chapter, The Custom House, a little bit confusing and maybe even a little bit pointless. Despite the temptation to just flip through the first 44 pages and go on to the first chapter, one needs the introduction understood and absorbed in order to understand Nathaniel Hawthorne and the thought put behind and the significance of the Scarlet Letter. The autobiographical sketch talks about Hawthorne's life and times, as well as how he ended up writing The Scarlet Letter. It also gives the story a sense of authenticity, when Hawthorne tells the reader about the scarlet colored A, and some papers with the story of a woman who went through similar events as Hester did, on the second story of the Custom House. He said, But the object that most drew my attention, in the mysterious package, was a certain affair of fine red cloth, much worn and faded[...]It was the capital letter A. [...]It had been intended, there could be no doubt, as an ornamental article of dress [...] was a riddle which...I saw little ho
Another reason the Custom House is useful and related to the rest of the book is because Hawthorne's family background is introduced. The only reason why knowing about his family history is important is because his ancestors' actions obviously drove him to take sides on the characterization in the rest of the book. Hawthorne obviously takes Hester and Dimmesdale's side over Chillingworth's side in the book. With Hester doing sinful actions in the book and Hawthorne beautifully turning her character around into a good one, it is obvious that he doesn't like the strict Puritan way of life. Hawthorne's family settled in Salem. He describes them as severe Puritans decked out in black robes, laying harsh judgment upon people who strayed from their faith. He even jokingly wonders how a person like himself came from people like that. With what Hawthorne tells us in the Custom House about his family background makes it obvious to the reader that looks for details why he makes Chillingworth's character side in the story and Hawthorne's masterpiece shows off his beautiful way of characterization and reveals
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Approximate Word count = 746
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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