Great Books Audio

The Scarlet Letter – Chapter 1

  Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter attained an immediate and lasting success because it addressed spiritual and moral issues from a uniquely American standpoint. In 1850, adultery was an extremely risque subject, but because Hawthorne had the support of the New England literary establishment, it passed easily into the realm of appropriate reading. The Scarlet Letter represents the height of Hawthorne’s literary genius; dense with terse descriptions. When Hester Prynne bears an illegitimate child she is introduced to the ugliness, complexity, and ultimately the strength of the human spirit. Though set in a Puritan community nearly two centuries ago, the moral dilemmas of personal responsibility, and consuming emotions of guilt, anger, loyalty and revenge are timeless. The Scarlet Letter remains relevant for its philosophical and psychological depth, and continues to be read as a classic tale on a universal theme.

The Scarlet Letter – Chapter 2

Hester Prynne and her baby leave the prison to stand before the townspeople.

The Scarlet Letter – Chapter 3

While Hester Prynne stands on her “pedestal of shame,” clergymen demand that she reveal the name of the man who violated her.

The Scarlet Letter – Chapter 4

Roger Chillingworth is called to the prison cell as healer to aid Hester and her ailing babe. Illustration: “The Eyes of the Wrinkled Scholar Glowed” from the 1878 edition of The Scarlet Letter published by Charles R. Osgood & Co. in Boston. Illustration drawn by Mary Hallock Foote and engraved by A.V.S. Anthony. Courtesy of HawthorneinSalem.org

The Scarlet Letter – Chapter 5

Hester Prynne is released from confinement and turns to sewing to earn a living. Illustration: “Hester at Her Needle”from the 1878 edition of The Scarlet Letter published by Charles R. Osgood & Co. in Boston. Illustration drawn by Mary Hallock Foote and engraved by A.V.S. Anthony. Courtesy of HawthornedinSalem.org I

The Scarlet Letter – Chapter 6

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Hester Prynne names her baby Pearl and watches her grow into a beautiful but elfish child. Illustration: “Hester and her baby Pearl” from the 1878 edition of The Scarlet Letter published by Charles R. Osgood & Co. in Boston. Illustration drawn by Mary Hallock Foote and engraved by A.V.S. Anthony. Courtesy of hawthorneinsalem.org [audio:http://media.blubrry.com/greatbooks/greatbooksaudio.com/audio/chapter6-scarletletter.mp3]