Major Themes Individual vs. Society The Scarlet Letter is a novel that describes the psychological anguish of two principle characters‚ Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimondale. They are both suffering under‚ while attempting to come to terms with‚ their mutual sin of adultery in a strict Puritan society. As critics immediately recognized upon publication of the novel in 1850‚ one of its principal themes involved conflict between the individual and society. Hawthorne represents the stern and threatening
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Hester’s Strengths as a Feminist Protagonist in The Scarlet Letter Feminism is the philosophy advocating equal political‚ economic‚ and social rights for women. The idea of feminism was not at all prevalent during the 1850s when Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter was published. In spite of this‚ Hawthorne wrote one of the most influential feminist novels of his time: The Scarlet Letter. This novel was hailed as an important feminist novel because of the main character: Hester Prynne. Hester
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Symbols of Guilt Within The Scarlet Letter The Scarlet Letter‚ a novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in the 1800’s‚ transports readers to a Puritan town in the 1600’s. Hawthorne‚ nephew of the Puritan Judge John Hathorne‚ was very fixated on puritanism and theocracy. Throughout his novel Hawthorne repeatedly emphasizes the importance of the Christian religion in the theocratic town. Along with stressing the topic of religion Hawthorne also accentuates the theme of guilt within his novel and uses
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occurred. He further comments that even if that is not the reason‚ Hester may have been inclined to remain in Boston because her secret lover still lived there. Hester’s skill at needlework‚ earlier shown in the fine way that she displayed the scarlet letter‚ allows her to maintain a fairly stable lifestyle. However‚ her reputation as an outcast and loner causes a certain aura to be cast around her. Thus‚ Hawthorne points out that young children often crept up to her house to spy on her while she
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herself and was still recovering from it. What does Chillingworth say to Hester to attempt to show her forgiveness and peace? (156) Chillingworth lets Hester know that a certain magistrate has been wondering whether or not they should remove the scarlet letter from Hester’s dress. He claims that he has made an earnest request to the magistrate to do so quickly. Hester responds by saying that it is not the magistrate’s right to order it removed. Chillingworth says that she should then just wear
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into wearing their letters. One particular letter was the scarlet letter “A” which represented adultery. In the novel The Scarlet Letter‚ the leading woman‚ Hester Prynne‚ is forced to wear an “A” for her sin. Hawthorne uses Hester as an example to the rest of the Puritan community of Boston‚ Massachusetts. There are many things that this “A” represents to not only Hester‚ but also numerous others of the community in 1642-1649. The scarlet letter is a main symbol for all of the characters‚
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Hypocrisy in The Scarlet Letter In The Scarlet Letter‚ by Nathaniel Hawthorne‚ Hester Prynne suffers hardships in result of committing adultery. The townspeople punish Hester by having her wear a visible symbol of her sin: the letter A on all her garments (for adultery). In addition‚ she is made to stand on a platform for hours throughout a day‚ for the purpose of self-humiliation. Hester’s sin impacts not only her own life‚ but also the life of the townspeople and her daughter Pearl. In this novel
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by Nathaniel Hawthorne throughout the novel‚ “The Scarlet Letter”. One symbol that holds significance is the scarlet letter‚ “A”. The definition of a scarlet letter is an identifying mark or brand placed on someone who has committed adultery. This may be the definition‚ however‚ it holds deeper and more critical meanings which are present throughout the novel. The scarlet letter symbolizes Hester’s sin‚ expertise‚ and rejuvenation. The scarlet letter displays Hester’s wrongdoings with Dimmsdale
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daughter. Hester is condemned to wear a scarlet “A” to stand for “Adulteror” on her‚ while Hester’s public shaming is happening‚ her husband comes into the story. The tone of the novel varies from chapter to chapter. The introductory tone is quite bitter‚ while the tone of the body is more thoughtful and straightforward. The major themes of the Scarlet Letter are that of Sin‚ nature of evil‚ and society. The most major symbol of all is the scarlet “A” because it shows that Hester did commit
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“In a closed society where everybody’s guilty‚ the only sin is getting caught.” This quote said by Hunter S Thompson perfectly details the act of adultery in the book The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The adultery committed by Hester’s with Reverend Dimmsdale resulted in the sinful child Pearl being born. Pearl is the visual embodiment of evil in Puritan society; Hawthorne included her in the novel to give the reader a visual representation on what the Puritans believe is evil or sinful
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