1. The Scarlet Letter is my favorite work by Nathaniel Hawthorne and is undeniably one of the most beloved novels of all time; it stands on a pinnacle with the best works of early American literature. The Scarlet Letter is a masterpiece in every sense of the word.
There are many paths you can take when writing an essay on The Scarlett Letter. The tumultuous story of Hester Prynne and Reverend Dimmesdale is chock-full of well-defined characters and symbolism, as well as some of the richest prose in literature. What direction you'll take your essay will depend on the requirements of the assignment—are you expected to write a summary of the story or an in-depth character study? Does your teacher want you to explain the symbolism Hawthorne wove into the text or should you expound upon some of the thematic elements? Be sure you know what your teacher expects and then begin your research based on the requirements.
Note: Be sure to read the book before attempting to write the essay—this is imperative.
Here are a few ideas:
- Themes of secrecy in The Scarlett Letter
- Dimmesdale's personality flaw
- The significance of the letter 'A'.
- The relationship of Hester and Pearl
- The collision of religion and sin
- Social norms of the Puritans
Here's a link to get you started: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scarlet_Letter
