Tackling: Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" | Ryan Ranch (Closed)

Course Description:

"The Scarlet Letter" is a tough read worth every moment spent to understand Puritan Boston. The book is difficult because American English of the 1850s looks unfamiliar to us with its long sentences, arcane and formal vocabulary, and lofty allegorical points. And then, there's the introductory chapter, “The Custom House,” that still begs readers to make sense of its connection to the rest of the story. But, inside this book is a story that resonates loudly today with its exploration of female sexuality and the men who both exploit and condemn it. Throughout the story, men make policies, rules, and punishments for women who dare to own their own bodies and desires. Within these pages, you'll experience the fierceness it took to be a whole woman in Puritan New England.