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简介： Upon its publication in 1850. The Scarlet Letter shocked tile
nation by boldly confronting“forbidden” topics including sexual
misconduct of society's leaders, the plight of single mothers, the
separation of church and state,Now. no study of Ammican histow is
complete without thorough examination of Nathaniel Hawthorne's
timek ss masterpiece. This muttidisciptinary study of the novel
contains historical documents, collateral readings, and
commentary. In short, it is the ideal companinn for students who
wish to fully understand the novel in the context of its time. and
to unlock its current relevance. Among the materials are original
I7th-century documents that illuminate Puritan attitudes and bring
the Salem witchcraft trials to life, private journals, historical
reports. 19h-centrury, magazine articles, sketches, and newspaper
stories. Many of the documents are available in no other
prinledform. Not only do lhese materials provide a taste of 17th-
century Puritan culture.but they also glimpse to Hawthorne's mind
as he conies to terms with his witch-hunting ancestors and his
vocation, Most importantly, this casebook contemplates the many
issues raised by The Scorlet Letter which inextricably link the
17th-ccnturv Putians to the 19th-centnry culture of Hawthorne to
the present.
Introduction
