The Scarlet Letter
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In Puritan Boston, Hester Prynne is condemned to wear a scarlet ‘A’ for adultery, while the true father of her child hides in plain sight.
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THE SCARLET LETTER.
NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE.
Illustrated.
[Illustration]
BOSTON: JAMES R. OSGOOD AND COMPANY, LATE TICKNOR & FIELDS, AND FIELDS, OSGOOD, & CO. 1878.
COPYRIGHT, 1850 AND 1877. BY NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE AND JAMES R. OSGOOD & CO.
_All rights reserved._ October 22, 1874.
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.
Much to the author’s surprise, and (if he may say so without additional offence) considerably to his amusement, he finds that his sketch of official life, introductory to THE SCARLET LETTER, has created an unprecedented excitement in the respectable community immediately around him. It could hardly have been more violent, indeed, had he burned down the Custom-House, and quenched its last smoking ember in the blood of a certain venerable personage, against whom he is supposed to cherish a peculiar malevolence. As the public disapprobation would weigh very heavily on him, were he conscious of deserving it, the author begs leave to say, that he has carefully read over the introductory pages, with a purpose to alter or expunge whatever might be found amiss, and to make the best reparation in his power for the atrocities of which he has been adjudged guilty. But it appears to him, that the only remarkable features of the sketch are its frank and genuine good-humor, and the general accuracy with which he has conveyed his sincere impressions of the characters therein described. As to enmity, or ill-feeling of any kind, personal or political, he utterly disclaims such motives. The sketch might, perhaps, have been wholly omitted, without loss to the public, or detriment to the book; but, having undertaken to write it, he conceives that it could not have been done in a better or a kindlier spirit, nor, so far as his abilities availed, with a livelier effect of truth.
The author is constrained, therefore, to republish his introductory sketch without the change of a word.
SALEM, March 30, 1850.
[Illustration]
CONTENTS.
PAGE
THE CUSTOM HOUSE.—INTRODUCTORY 1
THE SCARLET LETTER.
I. THE PRISON-DOOR 51
II. THE MARKET-PLACE 54
III. THE RECOGNITION 68
IV. THE INTERVIEW 80
V. HESTER AT HER NEEDLE 90
VI. PEARL 104
VII. THE GOVERNOR’S HALL 118
VIII. THE ELF-CHILD AND THE MINISTER 129
IX. THE LEECH 142
X. THE LEECH AND HIS PATIENT 155
XI. THE INTERIOR OF A HEART 168
XII. THE MINISTER’S VIGIL 177
XIII. ANOTHER VIEW OF HESTER 193
XIV. HESTER AND THE PHYSICIAN 204
XV. HESTER AND PEARL 212
XVI. A FOREST WALK 223
XVII. THE PASTOR AND HIS PARISHIONER 231
XVIII. A FLOOD OF SUNSHINE 245
XIX. THE CHILD AT THE BROOK-SIDE 253
XX. THE MINISTER IN A MAZE 264
XXI. THE NEW ENGLAND HOLIDAY 277
XXII. THE PROCESSION 288
XXIII. THE REVELATION OF THE SCARLET LETTER 302
XXIV. CONCLUSION 315
[Illustration]
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
_Drawn by_ MARY HALLOCK FOOTE _and Engraved by_ A. V. S. ANTHONY. _The ornamental head-pieces are by_ L. S. IPSEN.
PAGE
THE CUSTOM-HOUSE 1
THE PRISON DOOR 49
VIGNETTE,—WILD ROSE 51
THE GOSSIPS 57
“STANDING ON THE MISERABLE EMINENCE” 65
“SHE WAS LED BACK TO PRISON” 78
“THE EYES OF THE WRINKLED SCHOLAR GLOWED” 87
THE LONESOME DWELLING 93
LONELY FOOTSTEPS 99
VIGNETTE 104
A TOUCH OF PEARL’S BABY-HAND 113
VIGNETTE 118
THE GOVERNOR’S BREASTPLATE 125
“LOOK THOU TO IT! I WILL NOT LOSE THE CHILD!” 135
THE MINISTER AND LEECH 148
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In Puritan Boston, Hester Prynne is condemned to wear a scarlet ‘A’ for adultery, while the true father of her child hides in plain sight.
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