In 17th century
Boston, a Puritan colony, Hester Prynne gives birth
to a daughter, Pearl. Her husband had sent her ahead to America, but never made
it to Boston. She has apparently had an affair, and is sentenced to wear a
scarlet “A" for adultery on her chest . She will not reveal who the
child’s father is, so is put in stocks on the town square.
A
young minister helps Hester keep her daughter when officials try to take her
away, but he develops a mysterious illness, which is then treated by Hester’s
husband. Eventually, it comes to light
that the minister is Hester’s lover, and he dies after publicly
confessing. Hester and Pearl leave Boston, and no one knows what has
happened to them. Many years later, Hester returns, and when she dies is buried beside her lover.
I don't know that I like this book any better than I did when I read it in high school, but I did understand it better. 150 pages.
published 1850
