The Scarlet Letter Essay Example For Students

The Scarlet Letter Essay Nathaniel Hawthornes novel, The Scarlet Letter identifies a symbol that is meant as a punishment and an outward display of sin, guilt, shame and disgrace. Hester Prynne is publicly exposed and punished for her sin of adultery, evidenced by the newborn baby girl she carries as she is led out of the prison amidst the townspeople who surround her with their unforgiving and intolerant stares. She is forced to sew a scarlet-colored letter on the front of her dress in plain view of anyone who might encounter her. The letter A stood for adultery and was a punishment meant to degrade, humiliate and shame the young woman compelled to wear it. We will write a custom essay on The Scarlet Letter specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now However, as time goes on, this same symbol becomes to Hester more than something she wears on her person externally. The letter transforms Hester internally and shifts from a symbol of stigma and dishonor to one of strength and character. Hester derives her sense of self-identity from the Scarlet Letter. Hester Prynne is a young woman who married a much older man and was sent to a foreign country without the companionship of her husband. Early adulthood is a time when we begin to form an identity that is unique. We become more independent, separate from our families of origin, and begin to define our own individuality. The story suggests Hester was a strong-willed, impetuous girl. Nathaniel Hawthorne does not tell us many details of Hesters early childhood or how she came to marry Roger Chillingworth. Did his advantage in years give him an upper hand in his relationship with Hester? Did she go directly from a dependent relationship with her mother and father to a marriage of subordination with Roger? Clearly something was lacking in Hesters marriage to Roger. The fact that she chooses to engage in a sexual relationship with another man exposes a weakness in her relationship with Roger. Perhaps this was Hesters first experience with absolute independence. Perhaps her marriage to Roger was arranged by her parents or was entered into as a marriage of convenience or as a means of financial gain or social status. Could the lust for social status and financial security at this time have contributed to Hesters later lust for Reverend Dimmesdale? Perhaps Hester gained a sense of boldness at her first taste of freedom and independence which caused her to tread down a path that perhaps in another place or another time she never would have considered. Hesters emerging sense of identity begins with the imposition placed upon her to fashion her own punishment, the scarlet letter A. She does not sew a piece of cloth that is dreary, colorless, plain or somber. This would have been fitting for a Puritan society concerned with propriety and decency. Instead, Hester produces a creation of beauty on fine, red cloth with elaborate embroidery and gold threading. It was so artistically done, and with so much fertility and gorgeous luxuriance of fancy, that it had all the effect of a lasting and fitting decoration to the apparel which she wore- Hester emerges from her confinement in the prison proud and defiant. Her fabrication of the Scarlet Letter evokes indignation and resentment from the townspeople. She hath good skill at her needle, thats certain, remarked one of the female spectators; but did ever a woman, before this brazen hussy, contrive such a way of showing it! The Scarlet Letter served to separate Hester from the rest of the Puritan society in which she lived and had formerly been a part. Nathaniel Hawthorne states, it had the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and inclosing her in a sphere by herself. Another aspect of developing ones self-identity involves communicating assertively who one is and what one believes. Hester was making a bold statement of who she was and what she believed in the way she carried herself in front of the townspeople, in the way she created the Scarlet Letter with such striking colors and in the way she stood fearlessly before the crowd on the scaffold. .u23a055211c58388ce145cbefb92e28f3 , .u23a055211c58388ce145cbefb92e28f3 .postImageUrl , .u23a055211c58388ce145cbefb92e28f3 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u23a055211c58388ce145cbefb92e28f3 , .u23a055211c58388ce145cbefb92e28f3:hover , .u23a055211c58388ce145cbefb92e28f3:visited , .u23a055211c58388ce145cbefb92e28f3:active { border:0!important; } .u23a055211c58388ce145cbefb92e28f3 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u23a055211c58388ce145cbefb92e28f3 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u23a055211c58388ce145cbefb92e28f3:active , .u23a055211c58388ce145cbefb92e28f3:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u23a055211c58388ce145cbefb92e28f3 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u23a055211c58388ce145cbefb92e28f3 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u23a055211c58388ce145cbefb92e28f3 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u23a055211c58388ce145cbefb92e28f3 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u23a055211c58388ce145cbefb92e28f3:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u23a055211c58388ce145cbefb92e28f3 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u23a055211c58388ce145cbefb92e28f3 .u23a055211c58388ce145cbefb92e28f3-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u23a055211c58388ce145cbefb92e28f3:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Civil Rights Movement vs Black Panthers EssayBecause this punishment separated her from society and the townspeople who were once her friends, Hester is constrained to living a life alone with her daughter Pearl on the outskirts of town. Once an impetuous, passionate young woman, Hester begins to metamorphose into a responsible, contemplative mother. Hester becomes active in serving the needs of the poor and sick in her community. Developing a sense of identity requires opportunities to self reflect about what is important to you and what kind of person you want to be. Hester was afforded this time of self reflection in the years following her sentence. Wearing the symbol of the Scarlet Letter became an integral part of who Hester believed herself to be as a person. Her own daughter Pearl does not acknowledge Hester when she takes the symbol off her dress as she sits and converses with Arthur Dimmesdale in the forest. Pearl demands that Hester put the letter back on and will only interact with her mother once Hester complies. After seven years, the symbol of the Scarlet Letter transforms from one of ill repute to one of respect and regard. Hester has lived a blameless, pure life without contention amongst those who formerly condemned her. Hawthorne states, As is apt to be the case when a person stands out in any prominence before the community, and, at the same time, interferes neither with the public nor individual interests . a species of general regard had ultimately grown up in reference to Hester Prynne. Nathaniel Hawthorne states that the letter was the symbol of her calling. Why did Hester stay in a town that had ostracized her? Why did she not leave and begin her life anew without the stigma of the Scarlet Letter? Hester connected her identity to the letter. Her sin of adultery became, for her, an impetus to change who she was and become more conscious of society and its inequities. The townspeople watched her minister to the sick and less fortunate and began to see her in a different light. The letter, no longer viewed as a badge of shame, became a symbol of courage and power. The townspeople began to refuse to interpret the letter by its original connotation. They said it meant Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a womans strength. Hester and her daughter Pearl leave the town and move to England. Pearl culminates her childhood in England and eventually marries. Does Hester finish her years in England with new acquaintances that know nothing of her sin in the New England town she came from? The answer is no. Hester returns to the very town that marked her an adulteress and changed her life forever. One would reasonably question such a seemingly unprecedented response. What would cause a woman to create a new life far removed from the one she escaped only to return to that old life years later? But there was more a real life for Hester Prynne, here, in New England, than in that unknown region where Pearl had found a home. Here had been her sin; here, her sorrow; and here was yet to be her penitence. Hesters very sense of self was coupled with the Scarlet Letter and everything that it represented, which, for her, included the adverse consequences as well as the eventual approval she obtained by virtue of her quiet endurance. Upon her return to New England, Hester once again fastened the symbol of her identity, the Scarlet Letter, on her person. The letter A, worn like a banner, announced Hesters heart to everyone that she encountered. Hester reveals who she is and who she wants to be, she confesses her sin and proclaims her triumph, all without speaking a word. The Scarlet Letter Essay Example For Students The Scarlet Letter Essay It is to the credit of human nature, that, except where its selfishness is brought into play, it loves more readily than it hates. Hatred, by a gradual and quiet process, will even be transformed to love, unless the change be impeded by a continually new irritation of the original feeling of hostility.  One of the most important themes in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is his intellectual way of examining human nature. The quotation above demonstrates that Hawthorne considers indispensable goodness regarding human nature. Hawthorne also distinguishes that in real life situations the goodness of human nature is overturned due to a persons ego. This essay will provide one how Hawthorne demonstrates his belief on human nature using examples from his novel. We will write a custom essay on The Scarlet Letter specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now As The Scarlet Letter progresses protagonist, Hester Prynne, who develops from a character who is practically exiled from reality to a significant symbol of her community. To begin the novel, Hester Prynne is released from prison on account of being guilty of adultery. She has made a scarlet letter A and wears this on her chest as a sign for her sins and as a way to try to gain forgiveness from god. The way the Puritan society portrays Hester is as one who should be punished severely for her actions, not as a mother with a new born child. Hester, herself feels as if she has to face the consequences and live the rest of her life in shame, she begins to feel that she owes the community in return for her actions and becomes a nurse to many around her. Others begin to respect her for her care and work towards others, but it is still very difficult for to be forgiven completely as she is rejected by everyone public; Although the community will welcome her inside their homes for her services when they are in need. However, with all the negative attention brought upon Hester, she will be able to make an alteration in who she is due to her powerful personality, and with time society views the A now as a good thing rather then something bad which represents the love demonstrated in the quote above. The ego comes into play by the societies actions towards Hester; she is now trapped with selfishness of human nature. Even though she is allowed in peoples homes and appreciated by the families inside, she is greatly avoided and hated on the street. The ego that the community faces is the fear what others think of them and how they might act towards someone who is candidly welcoming to Hester. Hester has to face the selfishness of another character and from that she endured a great deal of struggle. Dimmesdale is the character in the Scarlet Letter who commits the adultery with Hester, however only Hesters crime was made public and Dimmesdales identity was never revealed. Dimmesdale is confronted with emotional dilemmas as well as physical pain due to his psychological state for his wrong doings that he commited. Dimmesdale who is in love Hester, is also quite selfishness, because of his role in the community he did not to admit that he was truly Hesters lover. His selfishness causes Hester to suffer and continue to live remote from society. Nathaniel Hawthore is trying to prove to the reader using Dimmesdales actions that ones selfishness doesnt always protect you, but it actually brings pain. The author also applies this quote to human nature and the Puritan society. He views Puritan society as altering human nature; human nature loves and forgives, Puritan society leaves no room for forgiveness and emphasizes that of selfishness and hatred. In this type of culture there is no place for questioning or challenging what is wrong or right. Hawthorne gives the impression that the Puritan society is that it doesnt fit human nature because of not allowing forgiveness which is stated within the bible.  The quotation used above conveys a particularly optimistic belief on human nature in such a novel which is full of punishment, guilt and justice. Hawthorne appears to be observing that humans as individuals are good and loving instead of hateful and evil. However, when one is left to fight for them self the positive behaviors are generally substituted by hatred and ones ego. The Scarlet Letter Essay Example For Students The Scarlet Letter Essay Comparing and Contrasting the Use of Symbols to Embrace Thematic Ideals of Female Oppression in The Scarlet Letter and Their Eyes Were Watching God English novelist, Virginia Woolf once said The history of mens opposition to womens emancipation is more interesting perhaps than the story of that emancipation itself. Within Hawthornes The Scarlett Letter and Neale Hurstons Their Eyes Were Watching God, Woolfs statement is truly evident. As a whole, both novels have a central focus of the oppression of women in society. Both novels contain the central theme of female oppression manifested throughout the whole novel. Throughout Hurstons, Their Eyes Were Watching God and Hawthornes, The Scarlet Letter, both authors employ the use of symbols to embrace the thematic ideal of female oppression. In the two novels, hair, and the confinement of that hair effectively acts as symbols of female oppression. At the beginning of the novel as Hester descends down the path of judgmental woman, the author makes an observation about the dark and abundant hair, so glossy that it threw off the sunshine with a gleam. (Hawthorne 40). We will write a custom essay on The Scarlet Letter specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Not only a sign of oppression but also as a sign of her beauty, Hesters beauty, which her hair is a part of, causes all the women and the towns people to be jealous and highly envious of her. As a result of the strictness of the puritan society, Hester is required to confine her beauty in braids and under a cap. Although the reader knows the beauty that lies with her hair, Hester cannot fully display her beauty in the manner she wishes. The braids placed in her hair, oppress important parts of her persona. In the dark and evil forest, Hester took off the formal cap that confined her hair [ ] dark and rich (Hawthorne 130) and as Hester enjoys this moment, she summons pearl but pearl does not recognize her mother and Hester is forced to gather up the heavy tresses of her hair, and confine them beneath her cap (Hawthorne 135). Hester attempts to escape the oppression put upon her by removing her cap and braids and letting down her hair, but because the oppression she suffers is so great, Hester is forced to gather up her hair and place it back under the cap. This illuminates the great effect of oppression the sin and society have on Hester. Her attempt to escape the oppression is a failed one, and she must continue to face the subjugation of the sin. Similarly, in Their Eyes Were Watching God, the confined hair of the protagonist, Janie, acts as a symbol of female oppression in the novel. Just as Hester confines the beauty that is her hair, Janie must do the same, although some people wonder at her long black hair (Hurston 26), She must keep her hair in one thick braid swinging well below her waist (Hurston 89). In accord with Hester, Janies hair is up in braids at all times, even after the death of her oppressive, abusive husband Jody Starks. Janie must keep her hair up as to hide her beauty because of her husbands own insecurity. She is oppressed as a female by Jody, and is not able to show her full femininity. At Jody Starks death bed, she tore off the kerchief from her head and let down her plentiful hair, only to comb her hair and tie it back up again (Hurston 87). At the time of Jodys death, Janie lets down her hair, as to be free from the oppression she suffered from Jody. Although she has a moment of brief freedom, the oppressed female that she has come to be, shines out again when she carefully ties her hair back in to the rags. THE SCARLET LETTER Essay Example For Students THE SCARLET LETTER Essay Since the dawn of time people have read, studied andenjoyedbooks in which the hero or heroes fall from grace.No matter whothose heroes are- the human race in The Bible,the demon prince Lestatin Anne Rices Vampire Chroniclesor a certain Thane of Cawdor inMacbeth- sin plays a greatpart in all of their downfalls andsubsequent ressurections.And the three main characters inHawthornes The ScarletLetter-Dimmesdale, Chillingsworth, andHester Prynne- are no different. All three characters are flung fromthe normal rolesthat society has laid upon them- minister, housewife,doctor-into new roles- sinner, whore, and vengance crazedsadist.These new roles are not necessarily apparent to all intown.However, even though the townspeople do not know ofthesinners, God does. And in Gods eyes, whose sin was greater?That,I cannot answer. But in this mere mortals opinion, thesin ofChillingsworth far outdid the sin of Dimmesdale orHester Prynne, forChillingsworths sin was one of revengeand one of secrecy. He was notdriven by an anger at his ownsin, but by the sin of others. He useddeception andmanipulation to make the life of another miserable. Hewasnot flung from societys view as if he were a dirty secretlike Hesterwas; he was embraced by it. We will write a custom essay on THE SCARLET LETTER specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now However, his sin didtake its toll. He wasdisfigured horribly and became atwisted man, scarred by sin. He alsowas robbed of thepleasure of destroying Dimmesdale which was hisreason forliving. He died shortly after Dimmesdale. Hester Prynne,however, was the complete opposite ofChillingworth in that her singave her life, not destroyedit. She took her punishment and embracedit, using it torebuild herself not as a pathetic sinner, but as a pseudo-saint. At first, the town shunned her as a sinner. However,after theysaw that she was good, and her sin was of love,the same townembraced and loved her. Her sin drew her moredeeply into the societyof Boston than she ever was before.And when her time to die came,she did so with honor. HesterPrynne sinner and saint.However,Hesters sin was shared. Whereas she was asinner on the outside and asaint on the inside, ArthurDimmesdale is the reverse, both literallyand figuratively.On the outside, a town minister, inside an adulterer.Of allthe characters, Dimmesdale is the most pitiful. A man sopenitentthat he whips himself, but so afraid that he cannotconfess his sin; asin which takes a great toll on him. Hiscountenance is disfigured inthe shape of what we assume tobe an A on his chest (that or a cowshaped birthmark) and hissoul is eaten by his guilt. Arthur does laterconfess, and aweight is lifted from his being. And with that weightgone hefinally dies in peace.Sin has always been and will always bea part of human life and literature. And as long as there is sin, peoplewillreact to it in different ways; some will hide it, some willembrace it,some will rot from it. But no matter how the sin is handled or dealtwith, it will always leave its mark. Forme, the mark of sin will alwaysbe symbolized as a scarlet A on a black background.