... complex, emotional plot and its rich symbolism, this masterpiece has become a highly prized classic in American literature. The book opens with a chapter called "The Custom House," in which the narrator of the book writes a long description recalling his days as the chief executive officer of the Customs House in Salem, Massachusetts. He describes the customs house as a run-down, half-finished building located on a rotting dock and characterizes his coworkers as elderly ... other's existence. "It was no wonder that they thus questioned one another's actual and bodily existence, and even...

• Word Count: 3653
• Approx Pages: 15
• Grade Level: High School