A letra escarlate

De Nathaniel Hawthorne

Durante o século XVII, na comunidade puritana de Massachusetts, nos Estados Unidos, o adultério era um crime punível com a morte. Entretanto, a jovem Hester Prynne recebe uma pena considerada leve pelos habitantes de sua cidade - ela é obrigada a levar a letra 'A' de adúltera bordada em suas roupas pelo restante da vida, como marca de sua desonra. Hester enfrenta a humilhação diária e luta para criar sozinha a filha ilegítima.

• Idioma: Português
• Editora: Edições Best Bolso
• Data de lançamento: 24 de abr. de 2012
• ISBN: 9788577994113

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Nathaniel Hawthorne was born is Salem, Massachusetts in 1804. His father died when he was four years old. His first novel, Fanshawe, was published anonymously at his own expense in 1828. He later disowned the novel and burned the remaining copies. For the next twenty years he made his living as a writer of tales and children's stories. He assured his reputation with the publication of The Scarlet Letter in 1850 and The House of the Seven Gables the following year. In 1853 he was appointed consul in Liverpool, England, where he lived for four years. He died in 1864.

Avaliações de A letra escarlate

[stevesbookstuff · Nota: 2 de 5 estrelas]

“Hawthorne is the most consummate literary artist in American literature, and The Scarlet Letter is the greatest book ever written in the Western Hemisphere. It is not relatively, but absolutely great; it holds its place among the fifteen best nevels of the world”- William Lyon Phelps, professor of English Literature at Yale and Methodist preacher, from the 1926 introduction to The Scarlet Letter.I can’t bring myself to offer praise as effusive as William Lyon Phelps does in the above quote. I find the book's overt moral judgement and tendency to “tell rather than show” to be detractions from its reputation for greatness. And, I suspect that even as the learned professor wrote his 1926 introduction, The Scarlet Letter was already firmly established as the bane of Literature classes. Its dense sentences and 17th century Puritan setting can work to make it remote and unwelcoming to readers. Yet it continues to be an established American classic, ranking high on many modern lists of great American novels, just as it is still taught in high schools and colleges even now.The story is a familiar one. In the Puritan settlement of Boston in the 1640s Hester Prynne is publicly shamed for her sin - conceiving and bearing a child outside of marriage. Hester refuses to identify the child’s father. For her sin and her obstinance she is publicly shamed and forced to forevermore wear a prominent mark to signify her shame - the scarlet letter A. In attendance at her shaming as the full story starts are the other three main characters. In her arms is her “sin born” daughter Pearl. Helping to preside over her sentence is the Puritan preacher Dimmesdale - Pearl’s father whose reputation Hester is shielding - who makes his own choice not to reveal himself. Lastly, there is a new arrival to town, recently escaped from bondage to the Indians, who is later revealed to be Hester’s husband Roger Chillingworth.As the book progresses, we see the impact of the repressive Puritan culture on Dimmesdale, Hester and Pearl, and the scheming designs of Chillingworth. Dimmesdale is riven with guilt and anguish at his sin. The Puritans were Calvinists and believed that only the “Select” will get to Heaven. Those who sin here on earth give evidence that they are not among the Select. Dimmesdale's sins, he is sure, have made him unworthy of his role as preacher, and marked him as bound for hell. Chillingworth, who no one knows is Hester’s husband, exacts his revenge by inveigling his way into Dimmesdale’s life, preying on his guilt. Pearl looks fated to grow up unhappily among a colony of people who will think the worst of her no matter what she may do, while Hester will surely die of shame.But instead, Dimmesdale and Chillingsworth wither away and pay the ultimate price for their sins. Pearl escapes the clutches of the colony with her mother and returns to Europe where she will be well wed. Hester, after seeing to Pearl’s future, returns to Boston to voluntarily take back up the wearing of the scarlet letter. Only now she wears it without the shame its sentence was meant to give. Hawthorne is considered a Romantic, and an anti-Puritan. His own family were early settlers in Salem and some of his anti-Puritanism was no doubt personal and familial. It’s no coincidence then, that the object of Puritan shaming should gain the strength to stand up for herself and her daughter. But the other sinners who were not ill-treated by the Puritans do not escape the consequences of their sins - Dimmesdale for his lack of purity and Chillingsworth for his acts of revenge. Hawthorne was also given to writing stories with strong moral metaphors, and that is certainly true with The Scarlet Letter. The metaphors basically hit you over the head in this novel.It has long been popular. On its publication in 1850 The Scarlet Letter became an instant hit. It was one of the first mass produced books in the US, and its initial print run of 2500 copies sold out in ten days. It has scarcely had a day out of print since.

[john257hopper · Nota: 4 de 5 estrelas]

This mid 19th century American classic novel is very much set within the ethos and mores of the Puritan community in New England in the mid 17th century. A young woman Hester Prynne with a baby (Pearl) is humiliated by the community and marked with the eponymous letter A for adultery (though the word is never used in the book). The story is about her relationship with her daughter, with an old doctor who is revealed to be her ex-husband, and with the clergyman who is Pearl's father. The story is told within a framework narrative, with an over-long introduction describing the author's personal experiences working in a custom house, where he purported to have found old documents describing Hester's story. Hawthorne is clearly sceptical of the grim joylessness of extreme Puritanism, when he describes one of their rare festive events thus: "Into this festal season of the year ............the Puritans compressed whatever mirth and public joy they deemed allowable to human infirmity; thereby so far dispelling the customary cloud, that, for the space of a single holiday, they appeared scarcely more grave than most other communities at a period of general affliction." The novel is very well written and needs to be read in relatively small doses truly to appreciate the language, though it is short at only 138 pages.

[mrslee_1 · Nota: 5 de 5 estrelas]

One of the most moving books I've read. Hester is carrying a child. Hester is not married and won't reveal the name of the father. In a time ruled by severe church authorities, this is not to be tolerated. The courage of Hester, her dignity, make her heroic to me. The father of the child is despicably weak, unable to own up to his sin and willing that she should be the one to suffer. A good example to show that if Christ is not ruling the heart it does no good for a person to have the appearance of godliness.

[zumbanista · Nota: 3 de 5 estrelas]

First time reading this verified American classic tale. While short, I found it very ponderous and uneven. The Introductory sketch of the Customs House was very long winded and fell far short of being interesting. My appetite picked up as we started into the well known story of Hester and the Scarlett Letter "A". Most of the book was overwritten and flowery for my taste, but I do acknowledge passages of brilliant prose and a mystically gothic ambiance. There were a lot of diversions and descriptions of forests, brooks, and the town along the way. Not the most enjoyable read for me.

[jbarringer-2 · Nota: 4 de 5 estrelas]

It is always a bit disturbing reading books like this one that remind one of just how easy it could be for our modern, somewhat enlightened society to devolve into the brutish, closed-minded world our ancestors knew.

[mdtwilighter · Nota: 5 de 5 estrelas]

This is the story of Hester Prynne, a woman who came over to Boston in it's infancy waiting for her husband to follow her from Europe. However, her life changes forever when she becomes pregnant long before her husband reaches the new world. In the strict Puritan world of 17th century Boston Hester must be punished. The town leaders decide to make her wear a scarlet letter A on her clothing, so that everyone will know her crime. The book looked at the religious aspects of that time and painted a vivid picture of life back then. I enjoyed the author's style of narration, Hawthorne writes like he is in the audience with the reader. Maybe a bit predictable, but definitely worth the read. It's an iconic classic that deserves to be.

[melsteam · Nota: 4 de 5 estrelas]

Passionate in pain- passionate in love; this is a story of people's reactions to mistakes not only regarding themselves but from the scornful, isolating behaviors of others.

[schasteen_3 · Nota: 5 de 5 estrelas]

I rated The Scarlet Letter 5 stars because it is a classic novel. This story is one that numerous people know and can retell. Several people that I know had to read this as required reading because this book is a staple in literature. Classroom applications could be used with this book by having a "red a day" where every student has to wear a red a on their chest to see what Hester felt like when she had to wear the A. Students can also have a class discussion on their feelings on the topics and the time period of the novel.

[la2bkk · Nota: 3 de 5 estrelas]

I enjoyed this short work more for its insights into the Puritan community (albeit overplayed) and lessons about humanity than for the quality of its writing. While the basic story is interesting, in my opinion Hawthorne's character development is remarkably weak. At times I felt as if I were reading a children's novel. That said, like it not, this is considered a classic hence is worth the read.

[soireb · Nota: 2 de 5 estrelas]

Read it as a class requirement, I like the imagery, but that is about it, not really crazy about the story, sorry. I feel like this being one of the great classics I should be doing backflips for it, but the truth is that the story just wasn't for me.

[karin7-11 · Nota: 4 de 5 estrelas]

After a very slow beginning, I really enjoyed this novel. There is a lot to it beyond the surface, but I can see why so many teens don't care for it.

[bzedan_2 · Nota: 2 de 5 estrelas]

So, like everybody, I had to read this in high school. I remember being not that impressed. But on a re-read, totally diggin' it. And it did not end half as sad and horrible and vengeful as I thought. I had it in my head that what's-his-creepo, the doctor, like, stalked Pearl and shit when she was a teen and tried to do her or something. Interestingly, folks I work with also remembered (different) negative endings as well—not the real ending, which isn't sunshine and rainbows, but is kind of a complete and serene one.

[jo3jo_1 · Nota: 3 de 5 estrelas]

I know it may seem hard to believe, but I did not read The Scarlet Letter before reading it as a book club selection last month. I think this may be one of the hardest books I have ever read, as I tried to understand the story with it's old world language. It seems that Hawthorne used all of his characters to symbolize various characteristics and sins.Hester is the strong-willed heroine of this story who makes a moral error in judgement. She is persecuted for he wrong-doing, but accepts the punishment from her peers. The punishment will stamp a wound on Hester's heart and taint her mind and soul for the rest of her days. Hester's conviction turned out to be a lifelong persecution, from the entire township. It was interesting to watch the attitudes of the townspeople, as sometimes they would treat her with respect and friendship, while other times treating her like a thief. She often found it easier to live in solitude to avoid accusing stares that she was sure to find.This book seemed to have a bit of flavor that reminded me of the Salem Witch Trials. I'm not sure if this book takes place before or after that period, but witchcraft is briefly mentioned in the story. With themes of symbolism, love, and truth, this book made an interesting book club discussion. With that being said I think I also need to tell you that out of our group of nine ladies, only three of us actually finished the book. It was definitely not one of our favorites and not one that I would recommend for leisure reading. I am, however, glad that I finally read this classic.

[soonercatholic · Nota: 3 de 5 estrelas]

Setting: The theme of sin and hypocrisy is set in a small New England town during the Puritan Era.Plot: Hester Prynne sets out to make reparation for her sin while the town seeks the father of her baby.Characters: Hester Prynne (protagonist)- scarlet letter, not sorry; Rev. Dimmesdale- hides guilt, dies of it; Roger Chillingsworth (antagonist) Hester's husband, persecutes the Rev.; Pearl- Hester's daughter, not real without familySymbols: the scarlet letter, the rose, the forestCharacteristics: example of Romanticism, first novel to have woman protagonistMy Thoughts: I enjoyed reading it through, I disagree with Hester's lack of contrition.

[megwesley · Nota: 5 de 5 estrelas]

I was lucky in the fact that I was never forced to read the Scarlet Letter in school. I have heard about it and I recognize the allusions made to it during Easy A and Arthur with his scarlet letter "K"(to brand him a most unseemly knitter). So, I broke down and read it.The plot is simple: a woman is marked as an adulteress with a scarlet A and this is what happens next. That simple plot is what kept me reading until I got to the juicy part of the book. The revelation that Hester's husband isn't dead and he is out searching for her lover. There are clues out there to identify the lover but it isn't really stated until you are a good 75% way through the book. By then, you are already swept up in the story and keep reading because you want to know what happens next.The beginning of the book is a little dull, but keep pushing through it because hidden in the pages of the book is a delightful and intriguing story about the repercussions of one woman's love. 4.5 stars.

[cathyoneill · Nota: 5 de 5 estrelas]

I think this is a lucious book of symbolism, surpassed only in my mind by "The Grapes of Wrath."

[wanderlust_lost · Nota: 4 de 5 estrelas]

I loved this book when I read it in high school beacause I loved the premise, the plot, and the setting. I, however, found it, like any teenager would I think, a bit dry and very heavily written at times. It's a great story and I felt that its weight let it down. I can appreciate it more now, however, for the gem that it is and I find that the heavy writing (typical of Hawthorne) actually contributes a lot to the sense of time and place that the book exudes. I'd recommend this book to anyone, but I'd recommend you read it twice to really appreciate it.

[orix_bluewave · Nota: 4 de 5 estrelas]

This is a story in the society of puritan.A woman is punished because of the crime of adultery.But she won't say who has she sexed.I think this book ask us what the row and forgive of the god should be.

[bell7_1 · Nota: 4 de 5 estrelas]

Hester Prynne commits adultery in the Puritan town of Salem, where the community punishes her with wearing a letter "A" and with ostracism.Hawthorne's classic is, of course, one of those books that doesn't really need a summary, as most American high school students have to read it sometime in their academic careers. Its archaic language and long-winded intrusive narrator make it difficult to read for fun and pleasure. Its themes of guilt, punishment, ostracism, and false piety make it rich when a good teacher can tease out the narrative. When I reread The Scarlet Letter alongside a high school student, I found myself ready to highlight passages and delve back into the investigative, analytical mode of an English major. While not one of the classics I would return to again and again for just the sheer pleasure of the story, I can see why it's become a staple of the classroom, even as I pity the poor high school students that have to struggle through it.

[aethercowboy · Nota: 4 de 5 estrelas]

The scarlet letter, as it is used in today's speech refers to a mark of shame, not necessarily adultery, but something that would put you out of the favor of society. It is one of those phrases that derives from a book title (like "catch-22") that is altogether overused with people that I talk to.It's not that the people that I talk to are highly literate (though a few are). It's that they probably had English teachers who used a lot of vocabulary words derived from literature, and as such, after writing each word 25 times, and using it in a sentence, it magically became part of their vocabulary.This novel is part of the "you were forced to read it in high school, so naturally, you hate it" series. And if you hate it, I don't blame you. Many of my English teachers had a knack for sucking all things interesting out of a book.But, hey, read it again, please. You'll find a bizarre love triangle, and betrayal of more than one sort. You'll find parts to smile about, and parts to shed a tear about. And in the end, you'll probably be thinking: "Man, that was a pretty good book," unless you're not a "read-y" person, then you'll probably say "Man, why couldn't I have just watched the movie?!" (and then you're left with the choice of which one to see, but since you're not all that read-y, you'll probably pick the 1995 adaptation with Gary Oldman and Demi Moore.)The story, if you've been living under a rock since 1850, is about adultery. Hester Prynne is caught, pregnant, and shamed in front of her neighbors in Boston. She is forced to wear a scarlet letter in the shape of an A, for, of course, adultery. It's essentially a retelling of the "Let he who is without sin throw the first stone" part of the Bible, only set in New England, and raising questions of purity, even among the clergy.This is definitely one of those books you should read before you die (in fact, I think it's on that one list). I think that if you like classic literature, you'll definitely enjoy this book. Otherwise, you'll probably be "meh" about it. The smallest minority of people will hate this book, but they're just high school students with particularly dull teachers.

[danconsiglio · Nota: 4 de 5 estrelas]

Here's another book that I really wish I had read when I was in high school. Some of the American cannon is actually pretty kick ass stuff! 'The Scarlet Letter' is an exploration of some of the moral foundations of this country that gets into the gender and sexual politics that make up much of our cultural interactions. It has some freakin' awesome transformative moments and one of the best climaxes that I've read in a while. If it wasn't known for being one of those dusty books that everyone has read and no one actually likes, I would have totally read this earlier in life. I'm glad I hunkered down and gave it a shot anyway. Good stuff!

[jenniferrobb · Nota: 3 de 5 estrelas]

This was required reading for English class. Now that I think about it--it does seem odd that a school would have us reading about a woman being punished for adultery--well, the adultery part in a school book seems odd--though if they were going to have us read about adultery, I don't find it so odd that they would have it be this book. I remember our teacher saying "if you're reading the Cliff Notes, you already know who the baby's father is"--and it was true! The Cliff Notes did reveal the baby's father long before the book did. (But I won't reveal who it was here to avoid any spoilers.)

[thornton37814 · Nota: 4 de 5 estrelas]

I first read The Scarlet Letter in high school. I read it again about ten years later. After learning an ancestor's wife, although not the one from whom I descend, likely inspired Hawthorne's story, I became interested in the story again and read it about a dozen years ago. This summer AudioSync offered a free download of the version narrated by Donada Peters. I really enjoyed the listening experience. Although the narrator's voice was British, she did a great job narrating the colonial New England Puritan story featuring a woman forced to wear a scarlet A upon her breast. The father the Rev. Arthur Dimsdale suffered more than she because he failed to publicly confess his sin. The woman's husband, living under the assumed name of Roger Chillingsworth, was the clergyman's doctor and tormentor. The classic story reads differently than modern novels, but never fails to provide material for thought. It continues to be studied in schools because of its ability to be discussed. I enjoyed my revisit to Puritan New England through this audio production.

[darzzled · Nota: 4 de 5 estrelas]

Despite its age, the Scarlet Letter is an excellent exploration of morality, religion and hypocrisy in a setting that's obsessed with morals. If you're not the kind of person who likes the sometimes over-written style of 19th century novels, you'll probably lose Hawthorne's message in the language but it's well worth the read and shows surprisingly modern thinking for such an old book.

[pennma05-1 · Nota: 2 de 5 estrelas]

Well, where do I start... I just finished it moments ago and am still a little baffled as to why I wanted to read this book. Granted it is on my Gilmore Girls Book Challenge and Boxall's 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die list but.... I just don't know. I have to say I was mostly bored by this book. I'm normally pretty interested in Puritanical life in the New World but this just didn't catch my fancy. Finally towards the end when the Reverend was finally stepping up I thought it would get good but nooooooooooo. I won't say any more, spoilers and all that, but man oh man am I glad that book is over.

[jewel.barnett · Nota: 5 de 5 estrelas]

I read this book in high school. I should probably read more of N.H.'s books. This is a captivating read and rings so true even today.
Great book!

[es135_1 · Nota: 4 de 5 estrelas]

In this classic tale of adultery, Hawthorne presents sympathetic characters and a story that rings true today. The language, as in most classic novels, can sometimes be hard to understand, but the story should resonate with modern audiences nonetheless.

[carterchristian1 · Nota: 3 de 5 estrelas]

I agree with Jackkane, an LJ reviewer here of this book. For modern readers this could well be reduced and tightened up to a short story. I would have begun with two sentences from the introduction "When India was a new region and only Salem knew the way thither...I lay hands on a small package done yp in ancient yelloe parchment....Certain affair of red cloth, letter A" then jumped to Hester with child at the pillory, been more specific about the husband. The scenes in the woods, especially with Pearl using plants to make her own letter, and the wonderful final scene with an entire procession in the market place....I have an edition with an introduction by Kathryn Harrison, excellent notes that place characters and historical places in context, then an appendix with comments by Hawthorne himself ...sadness gave his wife a headache when she read it...and more by Howells and Van Doren.I spent a little over an hour on the book, but first got the synposis and context from a reference book.I question that this should be assigned reading for high school or even college student without a lot of context.

[seriousgrace · Nota: 3 de 5 estrelas]

The Scarlet Letter opens with Hester Prynne being led to the stocks. She is the sinner and as a result is being publicly ridiculed. Her crime is having an adulterous affair that resulted in the birth of a baby girl. She not only won't disclose the father of her child, but she won't repent for her affair. She is condemned to wear the letter 'A' as a punishment, as a constant reminder to the community that she is an adulteress. While there is residual shame, Roger Chillingworth does not want the public to know Hester is his wife. There is honor in Hester's scandal - because she refuses to give up the name of her lover. Dignity prevails and she outwardly bears the burden of shame alone. Her lover also shoulders the guilt of sin in his own way as he plays an important part of the community.

[soylentgreen23 · Nota: 3 de 5 estrelas]

It's possible that I don't know as much about literature as I thought I did. Everyone else seems to think that this is a classic of world literature, whereas I just think it's very old, and pretty dull.Hester Prynn is marked by a scarlet letter emblazoned on her chest - though not burnt onto her skin, as I had expected. That would only happen in a Musketeers novel, I suppose. She has committed adultery, and the token she has to wear weighs heavily on her soul. Afterall, this is Puritan America, and adultery is a sin that could have cost her her life.I won't spoil the surprise by telling you who she had had an affair with, but reading the story, I couldn't shake the feeling that the plot was a little weak, that, given the actual circumstances that arise in the course of the novel, something better could have been worked out.However, Hester's daughter, Pearl, is a revelation. Had there been more of this impish little girl, I would have read the book more quickly, and enjoyed it more. Still, it's a classic, and it's another addition to my list of the classics that I've read.