Annotated Bibliography

Annotated Bibliography

Bell, Millicient. Hawthorne’s View of the Artist. New York: State U of New York P. 1962.

The Obliquity of Signs: The Scarlet Letter

            Bell focuses on the symbolism of the Scarlet Letter A and what it really means. The letter A is considered a badge, a sign, and emblem. He also explains how the letter A changes its meaning throughout the novel. At times it is positively represented and other times it is negatively.

Colacurcio, Michael J. “Footsteps of Ann Hutchinson: The Context of The Scarlet Letter.” ELH         

39. 1972. Print. 459-94.  

Footsteps of Ann Hutchinson: The Context of the Scarlet Letter

This literary criticism describes and compares the famous Ann Hutchinson to Hester Prynne. They both lived in a Puritan and male-dominating society where their crimes that they committed resulted in harsh punishments and for the most part were ridiculous. Both of them also caused crimes that involved a pastor. They both reflected the idea of antinomianism and were considered “the woman”.

“The narrator seems convinced that Hester has indeed sinned deeply, and in the most sacred quality of known life (42).

Newberry, Frederick. Hawthorne’s Divided Loyalties: England and America in His Works.     

Rutherford, NJ: Fairleigh Dickinson UP, 1987.

A Red-Hot A and a Lusting Divine: Sources for The Scarlet Letter

Frederick Newberry criticizes Hester Prynne’s adulterous act and goes into detail of the consequences that she faces for doing so. He explains the law in 1694, which stated that women who committed adultery had to wear a letter A stitched on to their clothes. He also compares Hester Prynne to Marry Batchellor’s case who also committed adultery.