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Flaws In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

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“The Scarlet Letter” is known as Nathaniel Hawthorne’s masterpiece and many have analyzed the famous romance novel, to figure out how it can be considered so deft. One of those people is Henry James. James discusses this novel in his scholarly essay “Flaws in The Scarlet Letter”. According to him “The Scarlet Letter”, is Hawthorne’s, “most substantial title of fame”(26). This article explains that symbolism, characters, and research play a significant role when scrutinizing the novel’s worth.
While examining “The Scarlet Letter”, James looks at the symbolism throughout the novel. He proclaims, “there is, I think, too much. It is overdone at times, and becomes mechanical”(29). James views on symbolism are agreeable. Hawthorne can be a bit …show more content…

Hawthorne wrote this novel in 1850, but based it in the 1640s, about 200 years later. James’ opinion is that “there is little elaboration of detail, of the modern realism of research”(28). Apparently Hawthorne did not go into enough detail for the time period, explaining what else happened. He could have brought up some historical events that had happened during the time. Later the article states that, “the author has made no great point of causing his figures to speak the English of their period”(28). The English the characters are using in “The Scarlet Letter” is not accurate to the time period where this novel is set. Hawthorne has the characters speaking the English of his time, which at first may not be completely obvious
Henry James’ essay “Flaws in The Scarlet Letter”, elucidates symbolism, characters, and the knowledge of Hawthorne. It portrays a paramount role when interpreting “The Scarlet Letter” worth. I agree that throughout “The Scarlet Novel” did have flaws in these areas. Despite the fact that there are various flaws throughout the novel, Henry James believes, “they are mere light flaws... It is admirably

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