The Scarlet Letter Resources

Movie or TV Productions

Backstory

This 1926 adaptation with early film star Lillian Gish gives us some backstory on Hester and Dimmesdale's relationship.

Play It Again

And they adapted it again in 1934, a little less successfully.

The Scarlet Letter (1979)

The 1979 TV miniseries production of The Scarlet Letter, directed by Rick Hauser.

Star Power!

A 1995 adaptation with Demi Moore and Gary Oldman. Too bad it's not very good.

Very Loosely Based

The 2010 film Easy A is very, very loosely based on The Scarlet Letter.

Audios

Morning Commute

Here's something to liven up that morning commute: the entire audiobook of The Scarlet Letter.

Images

Scandalous!

Check out how Lillian Gish's hair is all sexily down in this still from the 1926 movie.

Prim and Proper

Here she is again, this time with her hair respectably up.

Title Page

Here's the title page from the very first edition. We wonder if anyone saw the subtitle "A Romance" and was disappointed?

Noble 'Stache

Here's an older Hawthorne, sporting an impressive moustache.

Documents

Here Comes Hawthorne With a Baby Carriage

This article from Harper's Magazine has a lot of fun facts about Hawthorne, including a cute story about him pushing a baby carriage with his infant son. It also includes a letter he wrote, talking about The Scarlet Letter.

Other

Native Americans in Massachusetts and the New England Region

A guide to the various Native American tribes indigenous to Massachusetts and the New England region.

Websites

Oh, You're Here Too?

Curious about the people living in the area before the European settlers came along? Check out this guide dedicated to understanding the people of Essex County.

Just the Facts

PBS gives us some deets on Hawthorne's life and work.

Society Man

The Nathaniel Hawthorne Society. For just $5.00 a year, you, too, can subscribe to the Nathaniel Hawthorne Review.

Historical Documents

No One Likes a Critic

Well, this guy's okay. George Loring reviews The Scarlet Letter in 1850. We… think he liked it?

Miraculous Vitality!

A review of The Scarlet Letter from 1886 gives the book an A+.

Video

When Indians Attack

Here's the trailer from the 1995 movie with Demi Moore and Gary Oldman. Apparently, they took some liberties with the story.

Clear Your Schedule

At least for the next 1:11:28. You can watch the entire 1934 adaptation here.

Audio

Greatest Hits

Homegirl Taylor Swift namechecks The Scarlet Letter in "Love Story."