Nathaniel Hawthorne

a cura di I. Bruschi
 
 Set in the 17th century Puritan Boston, it is a classic of American literature.
 Hester Prynne has preceded her husband to Massachusetts, and has had a daughter from an illicit love affair. She is sentenced to wear a scarlet A (adultery) forever. She refuses to reveal her lover’s name but her husband will find out who he is. The ending is rich in dramatic turns of events.
 The Scarlet Letter is a psychological novel which faces themes such as love and hatred, guilt and punishment, rebellion and double-dealing.
 Stimulating inserts about the period and the themes of the novel enrich the book. 
 
 Teacher's Resources available online: Answer Key - Audioscripts - Key to Summing-up Activities.
 
 È un classico della letteratura statunitense, ambientato nella Boston puritana del XVII secolo. Hester Prynne ha preceduto nel Massachusetts l’anziano marito, e ha avuto una figlia da una relazione illegittima. È condannata a portare sul petto la lettera A (adultera). Si rifiuta di rivelare il nome dell’amante, ma il marito riuscirà a scoprirlo. Romanzo psicologico ricco di colpi di scena e personaggi dalle forti tinte.

Chapter 1 – The Punishment

Chapter 2 – Hester and Pearl

&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Extension: The Puritans’ Way of Life

Chapter 3 – The Leech and His Patient

Chapter 4 – Hester and the Doctor

&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Extension: The native Americans in Puritan New England

Chapter 5 – A Forest Walk

Chapter 6 – Conclusion

&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Extension: Superstition and Witchcraft in Puritan New England

Summing-up activities

Glossary

5  A Forest Walk Chapter BEFORE READING 1 This chapter represents a turning point in the story and, as the title says, the forest is where it is set. Which of the ideas below do you associate with a forest? Tick from the following list. c c c c 2 adventure a pleasant walk darkness mystery c c c c loneliness uncontaminated nature secrecy humidity The pictures below show animals that could be found in the forest just outside Boston. Match the pictures with the words in the box. bear   deer   fox   partridge   squirrel ................................................... ................................................... ................................................... ................................................... ................................................... 3 The map on the right shows part of North America as it was in the 17th century. Can you recognize New England? 72 

The AScarlet Letter Forest Walk Chapter 5 H Hester Prynne did not change her mind. She had decided to reveal the true identity of the old doctor to Reverend Dimmesdale, even though this might be a risky step. One day, she learnt that Reverend Dimmesdale had gone to visit a community of Indian converts1 and that he would probably return the following afternoon. So the next day, Hester and little Pearl took the path2 that led into the mystery of the ancient forest. After a while, Hester decided to stop and wait for the Reverend s arrival.  Come, my child!  said Hester, looking around her.  We will sit down a little and rest.   I m not tired, mother,  replied the little girl.  But you may sit down, if you tell me a story.   A story, child!  said Hester.  About what?   Oh, a story about the Black Man!  answered Pearl.  About how he sets his mark on the bosoms of everybody who meets him here among the trees! Have you ever met the Black Man, mother?   Who told you this story, Pearl?  asked her mother, recognizing a common superstition of the period.  It was an old lady , said the child.  She said that many, many people met him here and have his mark on them. And that uglytempered3 lady, old Mistress Hibbins, is one of them. And, mother, the old lady said that this scarlet letter was the Black Man s mark on you. Is that true? Have you ever met him?  Will you stop asking me if I tell you now?  asked her mother.  Yes, if you tell me everything,  answered Pearl. 1. converts: people who have passed to a different religion (in this case, to Christianity). 2. path: way in the countryside made by walking. 3. ugly-tempered: someone who has a bad character or behaviour. 73 

Esplora il classico della letteratura statunitense "La lettera scarlatta" con Hester Prynne condannata per adulterio nella Boston puritana delXVII sec

The Scarlet Letter Collana RAINBOWS

Level B1 • Pre-Intermediate - Collana RAINBOWS

The Scarlet Letter

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