Zoë Litzenberg Marlaire AS I LIT AP P.4 6 Nov. 2012
Nature, in the Scarlet Letter, acts as the antithesis of Hester Pynne’s Puritan colony. The Puritan society upholds specific covenants about God’s elect, “saved” people, who were predestined, and few (Reuben). This “severity of Puritan character” (Hawthorne 47) translated to a people whose places and lives were highly structured and scrutinized by their fellow people and leaders. However, Nature is separate from the actions of the civilized community; from the very beginning of Hester’s struggles with her fellow Puritans, Nature, the forest -- the uncorrupted by civilization and Puritan law -- serves as a refuge to Hester, Pearl, Dimmesdale, and those willing to venture into it. A wild rosebush, a “token that the deep heart of Nature could pity and be kind,” stands in stark contrast to the bleak men and women that surround a weathered prison, ready to punish Hester (Hawthorne 46). Later, Hester also finds refuge and a new home in a “small thatched cottage . . . abandoned, because the soil about it was too sterile for cultivation . . . its comparative remoteness . . . out of the sphere of . . . social activity” (Hawthorne 74 - 75), where she and her daughter find relative peace from judgement. Hawthorne uses Nature in the Romantic sense, as a path to spiritual development (Woodlief). This spiritual development encourages Hester to continue strengthening her projection of individual freedom, despite Puritan opposition. Of course, freedom from Puritan scrutiny also gives those like Mistress Hibbins, the “Governor Bellingham's bitter-tempered sister, and . . . a witch” the ability to hide her “merry company in the forest” from most everyone (Hawthorne 106). Puritan society and its people are structured, civilized, controlled, judgmental and unforgiving; therefore, Hawthorne uses Nature’s untamed, uncontrolled, and kind forgiveness to intensify the colony’s characteristics as Hester fights to fully repent and be accepted.
Works Cited
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York, NY: Bantum Dell, 1986.
Reuben, Paul P. “Chapter 1: Early American Literature to1700 - A Brief Introduction.” PAL: Perspectives in American Literature- A Research and Reference Guide. 17 Oct. 2012. .
Woodlief, Ann. "Intro to American Romanticism." Intro to American Romanticism. N.p., 18 Aug. 2001. Web. 24 Oct. 2012. .
You bring up a very interesting point of how nature juxtaposes Puritanism. The incorporation of the rose bush into your analysis is also very strong evidence. This use of nature to represent independence and strength conveys the feminist concepts in the novel.
I think it's interesting how you brought up the concept that nature serves as a refuge for Hester, Pearl, and Dimmesdale. Nature itself was a rejected concept within the Puritan religion, because they felt it was a place of evil. Likewise, Hester and her daughter were shunned by society because they embodied sin. I also like how you addressed Hawthorne’s use of American Romanticism that ultimately inspires Hester to overcome her sins.
I agree with your idea that Hawthorne uses the motif of nature as a contrast to Puritan society, serving to emphasize the negative actions of the other colonists. This contrast to society is emphasized in how Hester finds her new home “on the outskirts of the town….not in close vicinity to any other habitation,” portraying that Hester found her place of acceptance by moving towards nature and away from her fellow colonists(Hawthorne 74). Also, like you stated, the Puritan community’s structure of discipline and order, along with its people’s unforgiving ways, directly contrasts with the characteristics of nature as wild and free.
I agree with you in that nature is used in contrast with puritan society in the novel to emphasize the affects that nature has on Pearl and Hester. The Governor’s garden has “a few rose-bushes … [that were] probably the descendants of those planted by Reverend Mr. Blackstone” (Hawthorne 97). These rosebushes, like the ones you mentioned from an earlier chapter, represent a light of hope that nature provides for Pearl and Hester as they confront the “bleak men” that make up the puritan leaders attempting to take Pearl away from Hester. These roses are also ironic because a Reverend had planted them and yet they happen to be a symbol of hope for Hester to escape punishment from the puritan society.
I completely with your statement that nature is the polar opposite to Puritan society. It emphasizes that both Dimmesdale and Hester are both attempting to break free from the strict guidelines of puritan life and religion. The rose bush is symbolic and also ironic towards Reverend Dimmesdale because he is supposed to be the purest of the citizens within his puritan community and yet he has this little bit of nature that is his, a close reference to his relationship with Hester as if he is trying to hide it but it is his true self that is the Rose bush.
Throughout Puritan communities, a type of Utopian and secretive society helped to ensure a strict and uniform community that strictly obeyed biblical law. Conformity and a secretive life were needed to survive and not be criticized by the community. Once secrets and an individualistic life are released, one becomes an outsider of the Puritan community. Throughout The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne these ideas of conformity, secrets, and outsiders shape the early community of Boston and life of Hester Prynne. Puritan conformity is shown in “…A people amongst whom religion and law were identical, and in whose character both were so thoroughly interfused” (47). This idea of uniformity in actions and beliefs sets high standards for how the society should act. Once someone steps out of those standards by acting on their own accord or releasing personal secrets, they are then seen as individuals, not part of the community. Although inhabitants contain “dislike of a ‘closed’ life,” they must keep to themselves to not be seen as outsiders (Reuben). The community constantly scrutinizes Hester Prynne in which “The silence of those with whom she came in contact, implied and often expressed that she was banished” (78). This sense of loneliness in Hester Prynne follows her throughout the chapters in which she must survive under the pain of sin. She is seen as an example of what not to become and what a sinner turns out to be for the Puritan youth.
Works Cited
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York, NY: Bantum Dell, 1986.
Reuben, Paul P. “Chapter 1: Early American Literature to1700 - A Brief Introduction.” PAL: Perspectives in American Literature- A Research and Reference Guide.
I completely agree with your analysis on the ideas of conformity, secrets, and outsiders within the text. I feel that these concepts can also intertwine with the idea of a scapegoat in society. How the puritan community has a fear of individualism and questioning of the church, and when Hester commits this sin or this act challenging the churches order and ruling of the community and through her, having all eyes on her, the church takes this as an opportunity to use her as a scapegoat. The fear the leaders of the puritans have of change are be revealed through Hester’s infidelity. They blame her for the entirety of the sin, she is the scapegoat, and she is used to show if u do wrong or go against our church you will be shut out and be an outsider. These ideas I feel go along nicely with your analysis
I completely agree with your viewpoint. Hester would most likely have wanted to keep her pregnancy a secret but that was not possible for obvious reasons. The secret to life in Puritan society is to lay low and not attract attention, something that a woman with an ever increasing midsection would not be able to do. On the contrary, Reverend Dimmesdale chooses to not tell the congregation that he had equal part in the pregnancy. This haunts his conscience and causes him to become sick with guilt. While both took part in adultery, who was the worse person? The one who admitted it or the one who hid it? Puritan life is almost a "Don't Ask Don't Tell" society, if no one knows about it didn't happen.
Your analysis of the Puritan Community in which Hester subsides as being “…a type of Utopian and secretive society…” is spot on. Hawthorn definitely portrays a utopian society in his story, in which Hester and Pearl are outcasts. As you said, Hester and Pearl are outcasts because they didn’t follow what the so called “utopian society” believes to be righteous. You might also want to consider that maybe Hawthorn is purposely portraying the scene to challenge religious beliefs of his time. According to Mrs. Marlaire he is said to have been in question with his own religion, so maybe this is an example of him testing it. Hawthorn might also be trying to persuade the reader to look deeper into his or her own religion and see if there are any similar ideas shared, in doing so he leads his readers to question their own religion. In Christianity we could question why “we” are all born with sin if only Eve took the “apple”.
I agree with your statement regarding a utopian society that is created as a result of the subjection of Puritanism. I also believe that the behaviors of the individual effect the juxtaposition of the society that everyone must refrain to. If I had to make an initial post to the question I would have used the same quote, “…A people amongst whom religion and law were identical, and in whose character both were so thoroughly interfused” (47). YOU create your religion; you create how you react to this idea of masking your identity and your beliefs. Omeed(or anyone) why do secrets in this society tear the community apart so dramatically?
I agree with this regarding Hester living with her sin forever because in the first ten chapters every interaction she has with another person reminds her of her sin for example when she plays with Pearl she remembers that she was born of sin and also when she goes to see anyone people look at her with lack of respect and will either scorn her or imply something about her with regards to her sin like Wilson, the Governor, and Roger Chillingworth.
I really like how you presented the ideas of secrets and outsiders since you came straight to the point of how the Puritan community is juxtaposition to itself. This is mainly because puritan followers “dislike of a ‘closed’ life,” however they retrain secrets to themselves for the fear of becoming outsiders like Hester Prynne and Pearl(Ruben). Also, I liked how you pointed out that Hester Prynne is real life example of what a happens to someone who disobeys Puritan ideologies, since she is treaty like an outsider within the own community she lives in.
By committing a sin that is awfully looked down upon by Puritan society, Hester’s very presence now brings hatred and disgust to those who come in contact with her. The poor would even “[revile] [her] hand that was stretched forth to succor them” as she participates in charity work (78). Her unacceptable crime of committing adultery and giving birth to another man’s child has turned her into an outsider, and through this, the people now use her as a scapegoat for all of the ugliness in their society. This is dramatically portrayed during the scene of Prynne’s public humiliation upon a scaffold as Reverend Wilson recites his sermon on sin, while at the same time, often referring to Hester’s wrong-doings to discourage all who act against their moral teachings. In order to maintain the individual strive for internal salvation and true faith in God, this particular Puritan society uses public punishment and humiliation on all who act against their moral expectations in order to shape and encourage its members to disregard all sinners and to never follow in their actions. Hester is not the only character who is labeled an outsider in society, for her daughter, Pearl, also suffers the same discrimination by the children who she comes in contact with. In the eyes of society, she is an “imp of evil, emblem and product of sin”, and she “had no right among christened infants” (81). This shows the Puritan society’s refusal of sustaining the Half-Way Covenant onto Hester’s daughter. Their refusal is solely due to Hester’s great sin, and because of this, Hester has ultimately doomed her daughter to eternal discrimination by the Puritan society.
Another great phrase to back up your claim that "people now use her as a scapegoat for all of the ugliness in their society" (Lazaro) would be "giving up her individuality, she would become the general symbol at which the preacher and moralist might point, and in which they might verify and embody their images of women's frailty and sinful passion." (Hawthorne 73). It is difficult to imagine someone enduring that sort burden, especially if they were to endure it alone. And to think that Hester could have taken Pearl and left, "free to return to her birthplace, or to any other European land, and there hide her character and identity" (Hawthorne 73)! Would you have stayed? Why do you think Hester chose to stay? Do you think it ultimately will hurt her and Pearl, or help the two?
Within the beginning of the Scarlet Letter, Hester is criticized by townspeople of Boston because of the unfaithful crime committed against Puritan religion. Her daughter, Pearl, as well as she are isolated from society and its inhabitants, therefore making themselves outsiders. Hester is pressured by social constructs created by the Puritan society to remotely find ways of survival against the guilt within her and the oppression of the townspeople. The townspeople realize that she “has brought shame upon… and ought to die” (Hawthorne 49) because of the embarrassment she has put upon herself and the Puritan religion. The cruel uses of dialogue spoken from the angry townspeople arise in “sins of sex...decay in morality-lying” (Reuben) that characterize Hester. These words force Hester into the realization of her unfaithful predicament, hurting her internally without truly showing weakness on the outside. When freed from prison, Hester decides to remain in Boston, finding refuge and a new home in a “small thatched cottage...abandoned...its comparative remoteness...out of the sphere of...social activity”(Hawthorne 74-75). The oppression and cruelty of the townspeople force Hester and her daughter into the outskirts of Boston, where they can escape the social judgment of the townspeople. Yet she is also able to look upon herself as a spiritual individual with this separation from society, “striving for her own efficacy in independent power” (Goodman). Hawthorne as well describes Pearl as an “outcast...imp of evil, emblem and product of sin, she had no right among christened infants” (Hawthorne 85). Not only was Hester casted out of this Puritan society, but Pearl as well because she was seen amongst her peers as an impure child who was born from acts of sin.
Works Cited
Hawthorne,Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter.New York,NY:Bantum Dell, 1986.
Goodman, Russell, "Transcendentalism", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2011 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL = .
Reuben, Paul P. “Chapter 1: Early American Literature to1700 - A Brief Introduction.” PAL: Perspectives in American Literature- A Research and Reference Guide. 17 Oct. 2012. .
Nice! Among all this good analysis, one thing I like to point out is how you say “these words force Hester into the realization of her unfaithful predicament, hurting her internally without truly showing weakness on the outside.” It’s very true, she is going through so much with everything she has done that the community isn't accepting of, most people would be completely giving up trying to do good with their lives. But Hester realizes that this is what her community wants her to do, and she doesn’t want to give up so she keeps her head up by viewing Pearl as a miracle to help her redo her life. She stays optimistic through the situation even when the going gets tough.
Hawthorne conveys a view of nature in which nature serves, at least to outsiders, as an appealing alternative to society, specifically Puritan society. In the very first chapter of The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne uses imagery to contrast the prison, described as “the black flower of civilized society”, with the nature surrounding it, specifically “a wild rose-bush, covered… with its delicate gems, which might be imagined to offer their fragrance and fragile beauty…” (46). Although society’s “black flower” is a place of judgment reserved for those who have breached society’s standards, nature is portrayed as less judgmental and more forgiving, as the rose bush would give “fragrance and fragile beauty to the prisoner as he went in… in token that the deep heart of Nature could pity and be kind to him.” Whereas society places rules and limitations on people and condemns those who defy them, nature is welcoming to all, ambivalent to social misconduct, because nature has no rules, because rules are societal constructs. To a criminal such as Hester Prynne, nature would seem like a paradise in which they can escape society’s judgment. However, to others, nature may seem to be chaotic and dangerous. There is an allure to society’s order because institutions such as prisons are made to protect society’s members. However, when the order turns against one of society’s members, as is the case with Hester Prynne, the allure of society dissipates, and nature seems vastly superior to it.
I love your explanation as nature to be an alternative to the harsh Puritan society. Your analysis of the way nature is a system of escape for those suppressed by strict biblical rules and law based of moral completely makes sense. Since nature is virtually orderless and liberated to the fullest extent, one can transcend through this and fulfill life to their desire, living successfully according to their terms. It's possible that Hester, commiting the crime she did, sought nature, due to its freeing component, and viewed the motif as an euphoric exit to happiness; instead of literally assimilating into nature, she imagined it, achieving the liberation she craved through her thoughts. I really liked your view and interpretation of the motif. Great job!
Well done Robert! I really enjoyed your connection of nature to an escape from the strict and unforgiving structure of the Puritan Society. The author’s deep focus on the “wild rose-bush” (46), emphasizes the importance of nature to the story. To add, after her jail sentence, Hester Prynne moves herself to the “outskirts of the town…not in close vicinity to any other habitation” (74). Do you think the motives of escaping in nature are evident in this action? If so, then why does she not leave the society all together? As explained by the Hawthorne, this is “a feeling so irresistible and inevitable that it…compels human beings to linger around and haunt…the spot where some great and marked event has given color to their lifetime…” (73). We must pay close attention to this aspect of Prynne in future events of the story.
I agree with your ideas that nature is "less judgmental and more forgiving" and "has no rules, because rules are societal constructs"(Leach-Phillips). In the first chapter, the rosebush that grows next to the prison door contrasts significantly with its dreary surroundings, just as the freedom of nature stands in sharp contrast to the rules and restrictions of Puritan society. It symbolizes a "sweet moral blossom"(46) that gives hope to those who are condemned and reminds them of nature's kindness and liberation.
Katie Golshan Marlaire AS I LIT AP P.6 6 Nov. 2012
In the Scarlet Letter, nature acts almost synonymously with Hester Prynne’s daughter, Pearl. In the first chapter, the jail from which Hester emerges is described as having “a wild rose-bush”(46) covering the side and that “[offered its] fragrance and fragile beauty to the prisoner”(46) in which “Nature could pity and be kind to him”(46). This image of wilderness among the rigid city represents Pearl and her unusualness amongst the general blandness of puritan society. This then incites how Pearl, similarly to nature, is something that doesn’t belong in that society. This is because she is a product of sin, which is not tolerated by Puritans. Later in the novel, Pearl is asked where she came from by Mr. Wilson. Instead of responding with the answer expect of a child from a Puritan society she says that “she had not been made at all, but had been plucked by her mother off the bush of wild roses that grew by the prison-door (102)." Once again relating her to the nature that contrasts the city so greatly. She is also being very aggressive to other people for she knows that her mother loves her only and no other presenting her mother and herself as outcasts with nature. Because nature is something outcast and associated with Pearl, Pearl becomes the secret that Dimmesdale holds to himself. He doesn’t want anyone to find out the secret that Pearl is his child in fear becoming ostracized. Unfortunately, the “kind and friendly physician”(113) Chillingworth is out to determine what he’s hiding. Chillingworth being versed in the natural medicines of the Indians, he uses nature to his advantage in determining Dimmesdale’s secret and using nature as the medicine used to gain the trust of the townspeople by establishing himself as the town medic. Later, Chillingworth finds some “ugly weeds”(119) in the graveyard and suggests that the weeds were “some hideous secret that was buried with [the buried man]”(119). Thus the weeds continue the idea that nature was the forbidden idea of Puritan society as well as the dark secret between Dimmesdale and Hester that Chillingworth is so bent of finding.
Works Cited
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York, NY: Bantum Dell, 1986.
George Gilles Ms. Marlaire AP LIT 6 November 2012 Within Puritan society, conformity is neccssary in becoming part of the community, however once the individuals contradict Puritan beliefs, they are oxtracised completely from the group. Puritans believe that people mustn’t have “presence of the frontier” (Reuben) because it emphasizes individual reliance, opposite of Puritan ideology where people must conform to be apart of the society. In the Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne had her secret of adultery exposed to the society; this sin caused her to be an outcast from her society because she has committed an evil that Puritans will not tolerate. The quote, “…A people amongst whom religion and law were identical, and in whose character both were so thoroughly interfused” (Hawthorne 47), reflects the political structure of the Puritan society is heavily influenced by religious beliefs and Hester has committed a sin against the church therefore causing her to be excluded from the society entirely. She is now cursed forever with the scarlet letter which symbolizes her exclusion, and she is looked down upon among the society. "Behold, verily, there is the women of the scarlet letter; and, of a truth, moreover, there is the likeness of the scarlet letter running along by her side! Come, therefore, and let us fling mud at them!"(Hawthorne 93), this portrays how the Puritan society treats the outcasts as the little kids disgrace Hester and Pearl by throwing mud at them. The failure to stay conform to the wishes of the Puritan traditions results in exclusion from the community with no hope of reacceptance.
Reuben, Paul P. "Chapter 1: Early American Literature to1700 - A Brief Introduction." PAL: Perspectives in American Literature- A Research and Reference Guide. 30 Sept. 2011. Web. 18 Oct. 2012.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York: Bantam Dell, 1850. Print.
I agree with you. Another way conformity plays a role in the text is in it shaping Reverend Dimmesdale’s actions. Dimmesdale is too scared to admit that he has committed a sin that goes against Puritan ideology because of the pressure to conform to their laws. He has seen how the members of the Puritan community have “reviled the hand that was stretched forth to sucor them” meaning that they have rejected her help and instead insulted her all because she did not conform to Puritan ideology (Hawthorne 78). Dimmesdale does not want to go through all this and lose his social status as being a reverend and being in a position of power. Because of this, he does not admit that he committed adultery and is instead reduced to a life of hiding his sin and feeling uncomfortable anytime that the issue of hidden sins are brought up in conversations with others.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York: Bantam Dell, 1850. Print.
Good job George! I liked how first you went into detail about the Puritan community and the rules of the society because I think that it helps any reader comprehend your point that you made. I like the detail that you incorporated into the text about Hester and her being outcaste. I like how you provided a great quote to support your claim and covey your explanation smoothly, afterwards going back to the Puritan culture and directly relating it to the question. It displays a strong active voice to push your claims even better. You demonstrated good examples to support your explanations.
Olivia Krall Marlaire ASI AP ELA Period 6 6 November 2012
Outsiders are created as a result of a member of conformed Puritan society being ostracized for a revealed secret. The conformed society is seen as the Puritans were “a people amongst whom religion and law were almost identical” (Hawthorne 47) and were strong believers in following Biblical law which provided their plan of living (Campbell). This motif of conformity also leads to the citizens of Puritan towns to feel it necessary to live a certain way, as well as follow the path that has been mapped out for them. It is the apparent necessity for the Puritans to stay on this path that leads to the idea that the Puritans almost lead two lives- the one that everyone else sees and the one that occurs behind closed doors. Due to the Puritan idea that people should live sin-free lives in order to maintain their close relationships with God, everything that could be regarded as sinful or even slightly frowned upon is hidden behind the walls the citizens build to keep a perfect image in the eyes of their neighbors (Campbell). By living “in a constant state of spiritual anxiety”, which was a result from wanting to maintain this image, secrets became a large part of the Puritan way of life, and while this contradicts with Puritan ideologies, it became necessary to not be made an outsider by the masses of the town (People and Ideas: The Puritans). The adultery of Hester Prynne leads to the secret of Roger Chillingworth whom hides the fact that he is Hester’s long-lost husband since he would rather that no one knows who he is at all than to have any affiliation with the bearer of the scarlet letter (Hawthorne 71). The insistence of Puritan society to stay within the lines of an organized, religious, and sin-free life leads to a life of conformity which in turn leads to the appearance of secrets within Puritan followers.
Works Cited Campbell, Donna M. "Puritanism in New England." Literary Movements. Dept. of English, Washington State University. 21 March, 2010. Web. 18 Oct. 2012.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York: Bantam Dell, 1850. Print.
"People and Ideas: The Puritans." God in America. PBS. 11 Oct. 2010. Web. 18 Oct. 2012.
I agree with what you said. I like the fact that you connected secrets with becoming an outsider because I think that has a huge impact throughout the book. I think that another example of being an outsider within The Scarlet Letter is Hester and consequently Pearl, because Hester's secret came out to the community she was shunned and had to live as an outsider. You could also say that the secrets create outsiders. In the scarlet letter reverend Dimsdales secret makes him sick and unhealthy almost making him an outsider in his own mind because he is so worried someone will find out what he did.
I really like the way you made your point Olivia. The conformity of Puritan society leaves no room for error for anyone and people are often entangled in their secrets. You mentioned that secrecy is necessary to prevent being shunned in Puritan society even though it is not necessarily right; this most likely adds to the guilt that Puritans carry with them and they feel more obligated than ever to try and conform to the rules of this harsh society. Yet there is still this "double life factor" and it raises a question that asks, if a society demands this much conformity of its people, then does it really create a good societal foundation or only set the stage for secrecy and conflict?
Ryann Johnson Marlaire AP LIT 6 November 2012 Within the strict social structure of puritan society, people such as Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter are cast out of society and are not considered pure, if they commit a sin. Hester’s act of adultery made her and her young daughter, Pearl, and outcast amongst their devout puritan community. She and he daughter are scorned in public, “In a moment, however, wisely judging that one token of her shame would but poorly serve to hide another, she took the baby on her arm, and with a burning blush, and yet a haughty smile, and a glance that would not be abashed, looked around at her townspeople and neighbors” (Hawthorn 47) The shamefulness of becoming an outsider has taken and emotional toll on both Hester and her child, for they are both forced to live with the shun that has been placed upon them because of Hester’s sinful actions. Another repercussion of Hester’s action that we see is the one being placed on her young daughter. Even though children Pearl’s age do not fully understand what has been done, they still feel the need to shun Pearl. Hester’s isolation from the rest of the Puritan society is signified with the scarlet letter that has been given to her, “… both men and women, who had been familiarly acquainted with Hester Prynne, were now impressed as if they beheld her for the first time, -- was that scarlet letter, so fantastically embroidered and illuminated upon her bosom. It had the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and inclosing her in a sphere by herself.” (Hawthorn 61) Hester and Pearl’s isolation revolves around the Puritan ideology that if you are to commit sin, you will have to pay the price of isolation.
Works Cited Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York, NY: Bantum Dell, 1986 "Hawthorne, Nathaniel. 1850. The Scarlet Letter." Hawthorne, Nathaniel. 1850. The Scarlet Letter. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2012. "The Scarlet Letter Sin Quotes Page 1." Shmoop. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2012..
Ryann you have some great points! I find it very disconcerting that Pearl is judged as the object of her mother's sin. The Puritan society seemingly has righteous morals and it would appear to be a flawlessly based society for religion, but there are problems within the society in how they treat others that do wrong. When they isolated Hester and her daughter they created an opportunity for Pearl to not be aware of the basis of their culture. They strive for perfection but also lack necessary treatment of people. Like you said, this always relates back to the emotional toll that the punishment has on her and now placed upon Pearl.
Malcolm Gilman Marlaire AP LIT Period 6 6 November 2012
In the puritan community there was a very strict belief of conformity that required the individual to be secretive and suppressed and any deviation from the community’s views from their doctrine resulted in being ostracized from the community. In the “Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne this puritan community allows for dark secrets to be held on to only as long as the person who committed the sin keeps it to themselves “integrity of the community demanded religious conformity” (God in America) but when Hester Prynne had Pearl out of wedlock her sin was out in the open bring same down on the so called perfect community and damaged its integrity. "That outward guise of purity was but a lie, and that, if truth were everywhere to be shown, a scarlet would blaze forth on many a bosom besides Hester Prynne's?"(Hawthorne, 80) Hester seeing people who bear her same shame shows how they are not sought out and punished because they keep their own deeds behind closed door not bringing shame on the community shows the hypocritical side of the society that doesn’t punish sin unless it is seen while they say they are there to be pure and utopian. Also in this very outstanding society that shows they views to outsides was the way they treat them often avoiding them and tossing them side long glances and in the case of some of the children to harassing the outsiders “Behold, verily, there is the women of the scarlet letter; and, of a truth, moreover, there is the likeness of the scarlet letter running along by her side! Come, therefore, and let us fling mud at them!"(Hawthorne, 93) for all the talk of being a utopian community the puritans are quiet cruel to those they have branded outcast.
Work Cited Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York: Bantam Dell, 1850. Print. "People and Ideas: The Puritans." God in America. PBS. 11 Oct. 2010. Web. 18 Oct. 2012.
I totally agree with you, the Puritan society, often portrayed as the utopian community, provides laws and constructs that are bound to be broken due to the fact that humans are flawed in more ways than one, never actually perfect. As such Hester is faced with a dilemma of being an outcast of her society, and is constantly viewed as the role model of what not to be, when in truth all the members of the community have their own secrets, but are just not willing to reveal them. Hester's trial put her out in the open and ironically the perfect community was broken due to Hester and the most respected and believed to be faithful members of the community, reverend Dimmesdale.
Rosemary Fonseca Marlaire AP Lit 6 November 2012 As a consequence of Hester Prynne's disgraceful crime within her puritan society, she ,as well as her daughter Pearl, become outsiders. The simple fact the Hester Prynne has the scarlet A "fantastically embroided and illuminated" on her clothes signifies her obvious segregation from society for she is forced to mark herself with the letter as punishment for her crime (Hawthorne 51). The Puritan strong belief in the "importance of righteous behavior" within society is broken by Hester Prynne causing her daughter Pearl "was a born outcast of the" society (PBS; Hawthorne 85). The hurtful treatment of both Pearl and Heather lead them to "a small cottage . . . on the outskirts of town" which highlights her separation from society (Hawthorne 75). Her new refuge lies within "the shadow of the forest" which is seen as a place of sin and darkness, highlighting her crime as sinful and its great disapproval of her actions, portraying her as an outsider.
Works Cited Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York, NY: Bantum Dell, 1986 PBS. "People & Ideas: The Puritans." God In America: People: The Puritans. PBS, 2012. Web. 06 Nov. 2012. .
I agree, Hester and Pearl are both labeled as "outsiders" by society. I think that the Puritan social structure requires a very strict adherence, because it's a very negative religion when it comes to personal chances at salvation. Puritanism seems to focus on the good of the community, and this requires punishments for those who try to go against the social norms. Hester seems to be even more rejected by her society in chapter 2, with one person claiming that Hester "has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die" (Hawthorne 49). Thus, the Puritan religion's structure requires Hester, and therefore Pearl as well, to be shunned and cast off as an outsider for the good of the community.
This is a good point, because of Hester’s crime and punishment, she becomes an outsider that is banished to live outside the city, and unfortunately Pearl is dragged along with her. Pearl was born into her separation from society. I like how you said the strong puritan beliefs in the “importance of righteous behavior” was broken because of Pearls misfortune to being an outsider. Both of their separations of society were a major effect on the plot because of the broken puritan beliefs. I like how you explained this. The motif of being an outsider is greatly established by Hester and Pearl, because of the broken beliefs.
Yes, Hester and Pearl clearly embody the role of the outsider in the Puritan society. The "shadow of the forest" (Hawthorne 75) is an interesting quote that fits perfectly with this outsider motif. The forest represents a primitive place that symbolizes darkness and a lack of rules that prevent sins, which is the exact opposite of the Puritan society. So being a shadow of this sinful place means that Hester and Pearl are engulfed and cloaked by sin, again making them the antagonists to Puritan society. Also, this forest is described as being Hester and Pearl's refuge which furthers the distinction between them and Puritan society as the positive connotation of refuge makes it seem like Hester and Pearl feel safe in the depths of sin and that they feel threatened by Puritan society.
I agree that Hester’s sinful actions have set her apart from the rest of the Puritan community. Puritans are very strict in upholding their morals and righteous behavior, and by violating the moral code, Hester was forced by her community to wear the scarlet letter. She becomes ostracized by the “pure” members of the community and even by the unfortunate of whom she is trying to help. Hester therefore lives isolated from the community in the forest with her daughter Pearl, the product of her sin. Pearl inevitably inherits the outsider status and is likewise looked down upon by society.
I agree that Hester, as well as Pearl, become outsiders. You bring up a good point with stating that Hester carries the scarlet letter "fantastically embroidered and illuminated."(Hawthorne 51) With Hester carrying the Scarlet letter with such pride proves that she is not ashamed of her "sin" which "take[s] her out of ordinary relations with humanity, and enclosing her in a sphere by herself."(Hawthorne 51)With puritan society being so strict and Hester displaying the scarlet letter with pride, it contradicts puritan beliefs or order and good discipline. With Hester going against the beliefs of the Puritan community it obviously brings her and Pearl out of the community as members although they are still surrounded by it.
Throughout Puritan society the concept of being an outsider is one of shame and rejection and Hawthorne really emphasizes that through Hester and Pearl and how society views them. Hester’s community puts shame onto Hester and looks “… at her, who had been innocent” but is now “the figure, the body, [and] the reality of sin” (Hawthorne 73). Society makes her feel like the crime she had committed is almost equal to something of a much higher severity and the thought of her actions make the townspeople turn away in disgust and she and her unwanted daughter are ostracized. By displaying her crime to the public it shatters Hester’s innocence and makes her even more of an outsider because her individuality is now lost and she is just another adulterer in the minds of the people. In Hester’s case (of being a woman) the struggle to erase her title of crime would be even harder as she is a woman alone with no man to really take care of her and she is therefore portrayed as weak. Similarly, in the beginning of the story, the rose bush growing outside of the building serves to symbol the concept of an outsider as it doesn’t belong anywhere near a dark prison but brings a sliver of hope into the dark uninviting place. Pearl, is represented in the same way as the rosebush in that she does not know exactly where she belongs or exactly how she got there but she knows she is different and looked at as unwanted. (Although the rosebush is not necessarily unwanted). Overall, the concept of an outsider in the story is shown through feelings of loneliness, regret, and shame by Hester and the community around her.
Works Cited:
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York: Bantam Dell, 1850. Print.
I really like your idea that the rosebush could symbolize the concept of an outsider. I think that the rosebush could possibly symbolize Hester herself in abidance with the idea of the scarlet letter, strongly because of their similar colors. Because the red of the letter "A" on Hester's clothing, she is seen as an outsider who "doesn’t belong anywhere near a dark prison but brings a sliver of hope into the dark uninviting place."(Hasham) in the same way that the rosebush does. The way that Hawthorne state that the rosebush had "merely survived out of the stern old wilderness, so long after the fall of the gigantic pines and oaks that originally overshadowed it"(Hawthorne 46) reminds me of Hester because she will continue even after everyone tries to "overshadow" her.
I Like the symbolism of the rosebush and how it resmebles Hester and her sin. Like Ellisa said, its like the scarlett "A", and she is seen as an individual and not part of the collective puritain society.
I really like the points you made about not only does Hester’s sin makes her and Pearl outsiders to Puritan religion but also how the views people have of the two of them, force them to live on the outskirts of town in isolation. The motif of isolation or outsider is rather big and important within the text. Throughout the whole story (so far) Hester and Pearl have been living in isolation because of Hester’s unfaithful sin that has forever affected Pearls life due to the fact that she is the child of an affair. We never knew Hester when she was a part of society. Her actions are what created this new life for her. She will always be an outsider in Puritan society.
The role of the outsider plays a huge part in The Scarlet Letter. When Hester Prynne is convicted of adultery, she becomes the outsider and is looked down upon by the members of her community. After being forced to wear the scarlet A on her clothes, Hester moves into a “small thatched cottage… its comparative remoteness put it out of the sphere of… social activity” (Hawthorne 74-75). Rather than escaping her fate in a Puritan community, Hester stays, although on the outskirts of town, to endure her punishment. Hester’s acceptance of her role as the outsider is an example of her being an outsider in itself. Members of her community would not have allowed themselves to become outsiders like Hester had, they would have preferred to remain within society’s conformist standards (Campbell). Hester’s courage in herself to stay and endure her punishment also shows her individualism, which contrasts with her community’s conformism. The value placed on Hester as an individual also shows Hawthorne’s Transcendentalist and American Romanticist influences and is compared to the Puritan ideologies that Hester’s community members hold. Hester as the outsider in The Scarlet Letter provides a contrast to her Puritan community and individualizes Hester as someone who did not fit into this community as well as all of Puritan society as well. Works Cited Campbell, Donna M. "Puritanism in New England." Literary Movements. Dept. of English, Washington State University. 21 March 2010. Web. 6 Nov. 2012. < http://public.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/purdef.htm> Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. Pleasantville, NY: Reader's Digest Association, 1984. Print.
Totally Tatiana. I think you are spot on. Because of Hesters individualistic characteristic you would expect her to just escape the society completely and do her own thing. She decides to remain a part of her society and take care of her child Pearl though. This puts her as in a place of an outsider in society. This also results Pearls life to becoming an outsider as she grows up. She has to live the lifestyle as of her mother but endures more of it as she will live longer. Hester defiantly does have a lot of courage to live a life with having to endure society everyday.
I like your last point. Being an individual (or an outsider) is greatly frowned upon in Puritan society. However, Hester lets herself be out casted, and for this I see her as a very strong character. Others have either conformed or fled, but she has chosen to take her punishment with pride. She is specifically “characterized by a certain state and dignity” (Hawthorne 50), showing that she does not let her individuality make her shameful. I think this manifests Hawthorne’s purpose in writing the book. He himself was raised with a strong Puritan background, and yet his novel applauses Hester’s position. Ultimately, he praises breaking inane tradition, even if it means becoming an outsider.
Nick Hernandez Marlaire AP Lit period 6 6 November 2012
In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, nature serves as a contrast to Puritanism; nature is benevolent and flexible whereas Puritanism is strict and compassionless. With the symbol of the wild rosebush at the prison door, the author reveals his opinion of Hester’s punishment to “symbolize some sweet moral blossom” (Hawthorne 46) and symbolize freedom from the restriction of society by placing the important Christian qualities of charity and mercy in the natural world in opposition to puritan severity. “On one side of the portal and rooted almost at the threshold, was a wild rosebush... We could hardly do otherwise than pluck one of its flowers, and present it to the reader.” (Hawthorne 46) By presenting the reader with an imaginary flower from this bush, the author encourages them to take Hester’s side against society therefore adding a sense of hope to the plot. Likewise, the wild rosebush, in chapter eight, when Mr. Wilson asked Pearl’s origin and she “announced that she had not been made at all, but had been plucked by her mother off the bush of wild roses that grew by the prison door,” (Hawthorne 102) is used to emphasize that Pearl is a symbol of hope and encouragement for Hester to fight against society. Finally, by setting a scene of Hester’s public ignominy among a crowd at an ugly prison on a beautiful summer morning, he emphasizes that her punishment is a violation of the natural order. Her punishment is artificial and it has nothing to do with genuine penance, thus leading to the idea that nature serves as an antithesis to Puritanism.
Works Cited Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York: Bantam Dell, 1850. Print.
I really like the way you use nature to contrast Puritanism. I agree that Hawthorne often uses it to show how far off Puritanism is from nature. Maybe this is similar to "The World is Too Much With Us" in a way? I like the way you connect the rosebush from the start of the story with the one that Pearl mentions later. These roses could also possibly contrast with the scarlet letter because in Puritan society, the color red is seen as fiery and against their ideals, such as in the way where Pearl was dressed in red, where as Hawthorne sees the color red of the roses as the heart of nature and a very genuine good thing.
Nick I think your were right on how puritanism was contrasting to nature. How in puritanism unlike nature it is stricter and less sympathetic. Also what Elissa said that this relates to “ The world is too much with us”, I thought that the scarlet letter resembles a sort of “less recognition of man” attitude. And the “ The world is too much with us”, the author is trying to get the reader back into that mindset sort of , in order to safe what’s left of nature
Within The Scarlet Letter, Hester becomes an outsider from her Puritan society because of her sinful actions of adultery. She has an affair with her town minister, Dimmensdale, because she thinks her husband is dead from his travels. With that, Hester and her daughter, Pearl, are being treated like trash: “This woman has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die. Is there not law for it?” (Hawthorne 49). The society members verbally harass Hester and her daughter and throw Hester into the jailhouse for her dirty actions against society. Also Hester Prynne is given the letter “A” representing adulterer to put on her chest, so she could openly carry her “sin” throughout society, which causes people to see her as a person that is not worthy of being a part of the Puritan society. This affects Pearl because she is taken away from her mother and is thrown back into the society where she is suffering from her mother’s wrong deeds. The children of society think, since Pearl’s mother did something wrong; Pearl embraces that sin as well because she is the product of adultery, as the governor says, ““Here is a child of three years old, and she cannot tell who made her! Without question, she is equally in the dark as to her soul, its present depravity, and future destiny! Methinks, gentlemen, we need inquire no further.” (Hawthorne 103). Furthermore, according to Puritan ideologies, showing emotion towards one another was also “evil” because it represented a connection with the devil (Goodman). Simply, Hester and Pearl’s separation is centered on the Puritan belief that if you aren't dwelling upon god you are in human and you should be hung.
I like how you said that not only Hester, but also Pearl were both accused of sin because of something Hester did. Pearl is clearly a scapegoat that shouldn't even be included in Hester's sin.
I also like how you mention Pearl is punished by a sin committed by her mother. I don't think Pearl was taken away from her mother though. The town only wished to take her away because they did not believe a sinful person like Hester would raise her in a correct manner. Also the town felt that Pearl was "of demon origin" (Hawthorne 91) and so desired their separation even more. Hester is also being punished in that she must watch over Pearl and resemble her in her youth, while at the same time becoming the embodyment of the torturous scarlet letter.
Hester's husband was presumed dead or captured, in his absence she had an affair with Reverend Dimmsdale. She is given complete blame for this adulterous act. The Puritan values of her society repress women and their sexual freedom. Hester is given an embroidered "A" that she has to wear on all of her clothing for the rest of her life, while Dimmsdale remains anonymous. Pearl has to suffer from the actions of her mother, and it negatively influences her upbringing and subsequently her personality and social skills.
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ReplyDeleteZoë Litzenberg
ReplyDeleteMarlaire
AS I LIT AP P.4
6 Nov. 2012
Nature, in the Scarlet Letter, acts as the antithesis of Hester Pynne’s Puritan colony. The Puritan society upholds specific covenants about God’s elect, “saved” people, who were predestined, and few (Reuben). This “severity of Puritan character” (Hawthorne 47) translated to a people whose places and lives were highly structured and scrutinized by their fellow people and leaders. However, Nature is separate from the actions of the civilized community; from the very beginning of Hester’s struggles with her fellow Puritans, Nature, the forest -- the uncorrupted by civilization and Puritan law -- serves as a refuge to Hester, Pearl, Dimmesdale, and those willing to venture into it. A wild rosebush, a “token that the deep heart of Nature could pity and be kind,” stands in stark contrast to the bleak men and women that surround a weathered prison, ready to punish Hester (Hawthorne 46). Later, Hester also finds refuge and a new home in a “small thatched cottage . . . abandoned, because the soil about it was too sterile for cultivation . . . its comparative remoteness . . . out of the sphere of . . . social activity” (Hawthorne 74 - 75), where she and her daughter find relative peace from judgement. Hawthorne uses Nature in the Romantic sense, as a path to spiritual development (Woodlief). This spiritual development encourages Hester to continue strengthening her projection of individual freedom, despite Puritan opposition. Of course, freedom from Puritan scrutiny also gives those like Mistress Hibbins, the “Governor Bellingham's bitter-tempered sister, and . . . a witch” the ability to hide her “merry company in the forest” from most everyone (Hawthorne 106). Puritan society and its people are structured, civilized, controlled, judgmental and unforgiving; therefore, Hawthorne uses Nature’s untamed, uncontrolled, and kind forgiveness to intensify the colony’s characteristics as Hester fights to fully repent and be accepted.
Works Cited
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York, NY: Bantum Dell, 1986.
Reuben, Paul P. “Chapter 1: Early American Literature to1700 - A Brief Introduction.” PAL: Perspectives in American Literature- A Research and Reference Guide. 17 Oct. 2012. .
Woodlief, Ann. "Intro to American Romanticism." Intro to American Romanticism. N.p., 18 Aug. 2001. Web. 24 Oct. 2012. .
You bring up a very interesting point of how nature juxtaposes Puritanism. The incorporation of the rose bush into your analysis is also very strong evidence. This use of nature to represent independence and strength conveys the feminist concepts in the novel.
DeleteI think it's interesting how you brought up the concept that nature serves as a refuge for Hester, Pearl, and Dimmesdale. Nature itself was a rejected concept within the Puritan religion, because they felt it was a place of evil. Likewise, Hester and her daughter were shunned by society because they embodied sin. I also like how you addressed Hawthorne’s use of American Romanticism that ultimately inspires Hester to overcome her sins.
DeleteI agree with your idea that Hawthorne uses the motif of nature as a contrast to Puritan society, serving to emphasize the negative actions of the other colonists. This contrast to society is emphasized in how Hester finds her new home “on the outskirts of the town….not in close vicinity to any other habitation,” portraying that Hester found her place of acceptance by moving towards nature and away from her fellow colonists(Hawthorne 74). Also, like you stated, the Puritan community’s structure of discipline and order, along with its people’s unforgiving ways, directly contrasts with the characteristics of nature as wild and free.
DeleteI agree with you in that nature is used in contrast with puritan society in the novel to emphasize the affects that nature has on Pearl and Hester. The Governor’s garden has “a few rose-bushes … [that were] probably the descendants of those planted by Reverend Mr. Blackstone” (Hawthorne 97). These rosebushes, like the ones you mentioned from an earlier chapter, represent a light of hope that nature provides for Pearl and Hester as they confront the “bleak men” that make up the puritan leaders attempting to take Pearl away from Hester. These roses are also ironic because a Reverend had planted them and yet they happen to be a symbol of hope for Hester to escape punishment from the puritan society.
DeleteI completely with your statement that nature is the polar opposite to Puritan society. It emphasizes that both Dimmesdale and Hester are both attempting to break free from the strict guidelines of puritan life and religion. The rose bush is symbolic and also ironic towards Reverend Dimmesdale because he is supposed to be the purest of the citizens within his puritan community and yet he has this little bit of nature that is his, a close reference to his relationship with Hester as if he is trying to hide it but it is his true self that is the Rose bush.
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ReplyDeleteOmeed Jahangiri
ReplyDeleteMarlaire
AP LIT
6 November 2012
Throughout Puritan communities, a type of Utopian and secretive society helped to ensure a strict and uniform community that strictly obeyed biblical law. Conformity and a secretive life were needed to survive and not be criticized by the community. Once secrets and an individualistic life are released, one becomes an outsider of the Puritan community. Throughout The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne these ideas of conformity, secrets, and outsiders shape the early community of Boston and life of Hester Prynne. Puritan conformity is shown in “…A people amongst whom religion and law were identical, and in whose character both were so thoroughly interfused” (47). This idea of uniformity in actions and beliefs sets high standards for how the society should act. Once someone steps out of those standards by acting on their own accord or releasing personal secrets, they are then seen as individuals, not part of the community. Although inhabitants contain “dislike of a ‘closed’ life,” they must keep to themselves to not be seen as outsiders (Reuben). The community constantly scrutinizes Hester Prynne in which “The silence of those with whom she came in contact, implied and often expressed that she was banished” (78). This sense of loneliness in Hester Prynne follows her throughout the chapters in which she must survive under the pain of sin. She is seen as an example of what not to become and what a sinner turns out to be for the Puritan youth.
Works Cited
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York, NY: Bantum Dell, 1986.
Reuben, Paul P. “Chapter 1: Early American Literature to1700 - A Brief Introduction.” PAL: Perspectives in American Literature- A Research and Reference Guide.
I completely agree with your analysis on the ideas of conformity, secrets, and outsiders within the text. I feel that these concepts can also intertwine with the idea of a scapegoat in society. How the puritan community has a fear of individualism and questioning of the church, and when Hester commits this sin or this act challenging the churches order and ruling of the community and through her, having all eyes on her, the church takes this as an opportunity to use her as a scapegoat. The fear the leaders of the puritans have of change are be revealed through Hester’s infidelity. They blame her for the entirety of the sin, she is the scapegoat, and she is used to show if u do wrong or go against our church you will be shut out and be an outsider. These ideas I feel go along nicely with your analysis
DeleteI completely agree with your viewpoint. Hester would most likely have wanted to keep her pregnancy a secret but that was not possible for obvious reasons. The secret to life in Puritan society is to lay low and not attract attention, something that a woman with an ever increasing midsection would not be able to do. On the contrary, Reverend Dimmesdale chooses to not tell the congregation that he had equal part in the pregnancy. This haunts his conscience and causes him to become sick with guilt. While both took part in adultery, who was the worse person? The one who admitted it or the one who hid it? Puritan life is almost a "Don't Ask Don't Tell" society, if no one knows about it didn't happen.
DeleteYour analysis of the Puritan Community in which Hester subsides as being “…a type of Utopian and secretive society…” is spot on. Hawthorn definitely portrays a utopian society in his story, in which Hester and Pearl are outcasts. As you said, Hester and Pearl are outcasts because they didn’t follow what the so called “utopian society” believes to be righteous. You might also want to consider that maybe Hawthorn is purposely portraying the scene to challenge religious beliefs of his time. According to Mrs. Marlaire he is said to have been in question with his own religion, so maybe this is an example of him testing it. Hawthorn might also be trying to persuade the reader to look deeper into his or her own religion and see if there are any similar ideas shared, in doing so he leads his readers to question their own religion. In Christianity we could question why “we” are all born with sin if only Eve took the “apple”.
DeleteI agree with your statement regarding a utopian society that is created as a result of the subjection of Puritanism. I also believe that the behaviors of the individual effect the juxtaposition of the society that everyone must refrain to. If I had to make an initial post to the question I would have used the same quote, “…A people amongst whom religion and law were identical, and in whose character both were so thoroughly interfused” (47). YOU create your religion; you create how you react to this idea of masking your identity and your beliefs. Omeed(or anyone) why do secrets in this society tear the community apart so dramatically?
DeleteI agree with this regarding Hester living with her sin forever because in the first ten chapters every interaction she has with another person reminds her of her sin for example when she plays with Pearl she remembers that she was born of sin and also when she goes to see anyone people look at her with lack of respect and will either scorn her or imply something about her with regards to her sin like Wilson, the Governor, and Roger Chillingworth.
DeleteI really like how you presented the ideas of secrets and outsiders since you came straight to the point of how the Puritan community is juxtaposition to itself. This is mainly because puritan followers “dislike of a ‘closed’ life,” however they retrain secrets to themselves for the fear of becoming outsiders like Hester Prynne and Pearl(Ruben). Also, I liked how you pointed out that Hester Prynne is real life example of what a happens to someone who disobeys Puritan ideologies, since she is treaty like an outsider within the own community she lives in.
DeleteBy committing a sin that is awfully looked down upon by Puritan society, Hester’s very presence now brings hatred and disgust to those who come in contact with her. The poor would even “[revile] [her] hand that was stretched forth to succor them” as she participates in charity work (78). Her unacceptable crime of committing adultery and giving birth to another man’s child has turned her into an outsider, and through this, the people now use her as a scapegoat for all of the ugliness in their society. This is dramatically portrayed during the scene of Prynne’s public humiliation upon a scaffold as Reverend Wilson recites his sermon on sin, while at the same time, often referring to Hester’s wrong-doings to discourage all who act against their moral teachings. In order to maintain the individual strive for internal salvation and true faith in God, this particular Puritan society uses public punishment and humiliation on all who act against their moral expectations in order to shape and encourage its members to disregard all sinners and to never follow in their actions. Hester is not the only character who is labeled an outsider in society, for her daughter, Pearl, also suffers the same discrimination by the children who she comes in contact with. In the eyes of society, she is an “imp of evil, emblem and product of sin”, and she “had no right among christened infants” (81). This shows the Puritan society’s refusal of sustaining the Half-Way Covenant onto Hester’s daughter. Their refusal is solely due to Hester’s great sin, and because of this, Hester has ultimately doomed her daughter to eternal discrimination by the Puritan society.
ReplyDeleteAnother great phrase to back up your claim that "people now use her as a scapegoat for all of the ugliness in their society" (Lazaro) would be "giving up her individuality, she would become the general symbol at which the preacher and moralist might point, and in which they might verify and embody their images of women's frailty and sinful passion." (Hawthorne 73). It is difficult to imagine someone enduring that sort burden, especially if they were to endure it alone. And to think that Hester could have taken Pearl and left, "free to return to her birthplace, or to any other European land, and there hide her character and identity" (Hawthorne 73)! Would you have stayed? Why do you think Hester chose to stay? Do you think it ultimately will hurt her and Pearl, or help the two?
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ReplyDeleteWithin the beginning of the Scarlet Letter, Hester is criticized by townspeople of Boston because of the unfaithful crime committed against Puritan religion. Her daughter, Pearl, as well as she are isolated from society and its inhabitants, therefore making themselves outsiders. Hester is pressured by social constructs created by the Puritan society to remotely find ways of survival against the guilt within her and the oppression of the townspeople. The townspeople realize that she “has brought shame upon… and ought to die” (Hawthorne 49) because of the embarrassment she has put upon herself and the Puritan religion. The cruel uses of dialogue spoken from the angry townspeople arise in “sins of sex...decay in morality-lying” (Reuben) that characterize Hester. These words force Hester into the realization of her unfaithful predicament, hurting her internally without truly showing weakness on the outside. When freed from prison, Hester decides to remain in Boston, finding refuge and a new home in a “small thatched cottage...abandoned...its comparative remoteness...out of the sphere of...social activity”(Hawthorne 74-75). The oppression and cruelty of the townspeople force Hester and her daughter into the outskirts of Boston, where they can escape the social judgment of the townspeople. Yet she is also able to look upon herself as a spiritual individual with this separation from society, “striving for her own efficacy in independent power” (Goodman). Hawthorne as well describes Pearl as an “outcast...imp of evil, emblem and product of sin, she had no right among christened infants” (Hawthorne 85). Not only was Hester casted out of this Puritan society, but Pearl as well because she was seen amongst her peers as an impure child who was born from acts of sin.
ReplyDeleteWorks Cited
Hawthorne,Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter.New York,NY:Bantum Dell, 1986.
Goodman, Russell, "Transcendentalism", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2011 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL = .
Reuben, Paul P. “Chapter 1: Early American Literature to1700 - A Brief Introduction.” PAL: Perspectives in American Literature- A Research and Reference Guide. 17 Oct. 2012. .
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DeleteNice! Among all this good analysis, one thing I like to point out is how you say “these words force Hester into the realization of her unfaithful predicament, hurting her internally without truly showing weakness on the outside.” It’s very true, she is going through so much with everything she has done that the community isn't accepting of, most people would be completely giving up trying to do good with their lives. But Hester realizes that this is what her community wants her to do, and she doesn’t want to give up so she keeps her head up by viewing Pearl as a miracle to help her redo her life. She stays optimistic through the situation even when the going gets tough.
DeleteHawthorne conveys a view of nature in which nature serves, at least to outsiders, as an appealing alternative to society, specifically Puritan society. In the very first chapter of The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne uses imagery to contrast the prison, described as “the black flower of civilized society”, with the nature surrounding it, specifically “a wild rose-bush, covered… with its delicate gems, which might be imagined to offer their fragrance and fragile beauty…” (46). Although society’s “black flower” is a place of judgment reserved for those who have breached society’s standards, nature is portrayed as less judgmental and more forgiving, as the rose bush would give “fragrance and fragile beauty to the prisoner as he went in… in token that the deep heart of Nature could pity and be kind to him.” Whereas society places rules and limitations on people and condemns those who defy them, nature is welcoming to all, ambivalent to social misconduct, because nature has no rules, because rules are societal constructs. To a criminal such as Hester Prynne, nature would seem like a paradise in which they can escape society’s judgment. However, to others, nature may seem to be chaotic and dangerous. There is an allure to society’s order because institutions such as prisons are made to protect society’s members. However, when the order turns against one of society’s members, as is the case with Hester Prynne, the allure of society dissipates, and nature seems vastly superior to it.
ReplyDeleteI love your explanation as nature to be an alternative to the harsh Puritan society. Your analysis of the way nature is a system of escape for those suppressed by strict biblical rules and law based of moral completely makes sense. Since nature is virtually orderless and liberated to the fullest extent, one can transcend through this and fulfill life to their desire, living successfully according to their terms. It's possible that Hester, commiting the crime she did, sought nature, due to its freeing component, and viewed the motif as an euphoric exit to happiness; instead of literally assimilating into nature, she imagined it, achieving the liberation she craved through her thoughts. I really liked your view and interpretation of the motif. Great job!
DeleteWell done Robert! I really enjoyed your connection of nature to an escape from the strict and unforgiving structure of the Puritan Society. The author’s deep focus on the “wild rose-bush” (46), emphasizes the importance of nature to the story. To add, after her jail sentence, Hester Prynne moves herself to the “outskirts of the town…not in close vicinity to any other habitation” (74). Do you think the motives of escaping in nature are evident in this action? If so, then why does she not leave the society all together? As explained by the Hawthorne, this is “a feeling so irresistible and inevitable that it…compels human beings to linger around and haunt…the spot where some great and marked event has given color to their lifetime…” (73). We must pay close attention to this aspect of Prynne in future events of the story.
DeleteI agree with your ideas that nature is "less judgmental and more forgiving" and "has no rules, because rules are societal constructs"(Leach-Phillips). In the first chapter, the rosebush that grows next to the prison door contrasts significantly with its dreary surroundings, just as the freedom of nature stands in sharp contrast to the rules and restrictions of Puritan society. It symbolizes a "sweet moral blossom"(46) that gives hope to those who are condemned and reminds them of nature's kindness and liberation.
DeleteKatie Golshan
ReplyDeleteMarlaire
AS I LIT AP P.6
6 Nov. 2012
In the Scarlet Letter, nature acts almost synonymously with Hester Prynne’s daughter, Pearl. In the first chapter, the jail from which Hester emerges is described as having “a wild rose-bush”(46) covering the side and that “[offered its] fragrance and fragile beauty to the prisoner”(46) in which “Nature could pity and be kind to him”(46). This image of wilderness among the rigid city represents Pearl and her unusualness amongst the general blandness of puritan society. This then incites how Pearl, similarly to nature, is something that doesn’t belong in that society. This is because she is a product of sin, which is not tolerated by Puritans. Later in the novel, Pearl is asked where she came from by Mr. Wilson. Instead of responding with the answer expect of a child from a Puritan society she says that “she had not been made at all, but had been plucked by her mother off the bush of wild roses that grew by the prison-door (102)." Once again relating her to the nature that contrasts the city so greatly. She is also being very aggressive to other people for she knows that her mother loves her only and no other presenting her mother and herself as outcasts with nature. Because nature is something outcast and associated with Pearl, Pearl becomes the secret that Dimmesdale holds to himself. He doesn’t want anyone to find out the secret that Pearl is his child in fear becoming ostracized. Unfortunately, the “kind and friendly physician”(113) Chillingworth is out to determine what he’s hiding. Chillingworth being versed in the natural medicines of the Indians, he uses nature to his advantage in determining Dimmesdale’s secret and using nature as the medicine used to gain the trust of the townspeople by establishing himself as the town medic. Later, Chillingworth finds some “ugly weeds”(119) in the graveyard and suggests that the weeds were “some hideous secret that was buried with [the buried man]”(119). Thus the weeds continue the idea that nature was the forbidden idea of Puritan society as well as the dark secret between Dimmesdale and Hester that Chillingworth is so bent of finding.
Works Cited
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York, NY: Bantum Dell, 1986.
Strickland, Brad. "American Romanticism Overview." WestGA. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2012.
George Gilles
ReplyDeleteMs. Marlaire
AP LIT
6 November 2012
Within Puritan society, conformity is neccssary in becoming part of the community, however once the individuals contradict Puritan beliefs, they are oxtracised completely from the group. Puritans believe that people mustn’t have “presence of the frontier” (Reuben) because it emphasizes individual reliance, opposite of Puritan ideology where people must conform to be apart of the society. In the Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne had her secret of adultery exposed to the society; this sin caused her to be an outcast from her society because she has committed an evil that Puritans will not tolerate. The quote, “…A people amongst whom religion and law were identical, and in whose character both were so thoroughly interfused” (Hawthorne 47), reflects the political structure of the Puritan society is heavily influenced by religious beliefs and Hester has committed a sin against the church therefore causing her to be excluded from the society entirely. She is now cursed forever with the scarlet letter which symbolizes her exclusion, and she is looked down upon among the society. "Behold, verily, there is the women of the scarlet letter; and, of a truth, moreover, there is the likeness of the scarlet letter running along by her side! Come, therefore, and let us fling mud at them!"(Hawthorne 93), this portrays how the Puritan society treats the outcasts as the little kids disgrace Hester and Pearl by throwing mud at them. The failure to stay conform to the wishes of the Puritan traditions results in exclusion from the community with no hope of reacceptance.
Reuben, Paul P. "Chapter 1: Early American Literature to1700 - A Brief Introduction." PAL: Perspectives in American Literature- A Research and Reference Guide. 30 Sept. 2011. Web. 18 Oct. 2012.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York: Bantam Dell, 1850. Print.
I agree with you. Another way conformity plays a role in the text is in it shaping Reverend Dimmesdale’s actions. Dimmesdale is too scared to admit that he has committed a sin that goes against Puritan ideology because of the pressure to conform to their laws. He has seen how the members of the Puritan community have “reviled the hand that was stretched forth to sucor them” meaning that they have rejected her help and instead insulted her all because she did not conform to Puritan ideology (Hawthorne 78). Dimmesdale does not want to go through all this and lose his social status as being a reverend and being in a position of power. Because of this, he does not admit that he committed adultery and is instead reduced to a life of hiding his sin and feeling uncomfortable anytime that the issue of hidden sins are brought up in conversations with others.
DeleteHawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York: Bantam Dell, 1850. Print.
Good job George! I liked how first you went into detail about the Puritan community and the rules of the society because I think that it helps any reader comprehend your point that you made. I like the detail that you incorporated into the text about Hester and her being outcaste. I like how you provided a great quote to support your claim and covey your explanation smoothly, afterwards going back to the Puritan culture and directly relating it to the question. It displays a strong active voice to push your claims even better. You demonstrated good examples to support your explanations.
DeleteOlivia Krall
ReplyDeleteMarlaire
ASI AP ELA Period 6
6 November 2012
Outsiders are created as a result of a member of conformed Puritan society being ostracized for a revealed secret. The conformed society is seen as the Puritans were “a people amongst whom religion and law were almost identical” (Hawthorne 47) and were strong believers in following Biblical law which provided their plan of living (Campbell). This motif of conformity also leads to the citizens of Puritan towns to feel it necessary to live a certain way, as well as follow the path that has been mapped out for them. It is the apparent necessity for the Puritans to stay on this path that leads to the idea that the Puritans almost lead two lives- the one that everyone else sees and the one that occurs behind closed doors. Due to the Puritan idea that people should live sin-free lives in order to maintain their close relationships with God, everything that could be regarded as sinful or even slightly frowned upon is hidden behind the walls the citizens build to keep a perfect image in the eyes of their neighbors (Campbell). By living “in a constant state of spiritual anxiety”, which was a result from wanting to maintain this image, secrets became a large part of the Puritan way of life, and while this contradicts with Puritan ideologies, it became necessary to not be made an outsider by the masses of the town (People and Ideas: The Puritans). The adultery of Hester Prynne leads to the secret of Roger Chillingworth whom hides the fact that he is Hester’s long-lost husband since he would rather that no one knows who he is at all than to have any affiliation with the bearer of the scarlet letter (Hawthorne 71). The insistence of Puritan society to stay within the lines of an organized, religious, and sin-free life leads to a life of conformity which in turn leads to the appearance of secrets within Puritan followers.
Works Cited
Campbell, Donna M. "Puritanism in New England." Literary Movements. Dept. of English, Washington State University. 21 March, 2010. Web. 18 Oct. 2012.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York: Bantam Dell, 1850. Print.
"People and Ideas: The Puritans." God in America. PBS. 11 Oct. 2010. Web. 18 Oct. 2012.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI agree with what you said. I like the fact that you connected secrets with becoming an outsider because I think that has a huge impact throughout the book. I think that another example of being an outsider within The Scarlet Letter is Hester and consequently Pearl, because Hester's secret came out to the community she was shunned and had to live as an outsider. You could also say that the secrets create outsiders. In the scarlet letter reverend Dimsdales secret makes him sick and unhealthy almost making him an outsider in his own mind because he is so worried someone will find out what he did.
DeleteI really like the way you made your point Olivia. The conformity of Puritan society leaves no room for error for anyone and people are often entangled in their secrets. You mentioned that secrecy is necessary to prevent being shunned in Puritan society even though it is not necessarily right; this most likely adds to the guilt that Puritans carry with them and they feel more obligated than ever to try and conform to the rules of this harsh society. Yet there is still this "double life factor" and it raises a question that asks, if a society demands this much conformity of its people, then does it really create a good societal foundation or only set the stage for secrecy and conflict?
DeleteRyann Johnson
ReplyDeleteMarlaire
AP LIT
6 November 2012
Within the strict social structure of puritan society, people such as Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter are cast out of society and are not considered pure, if they commit a sin. Hester’s act of adultery made her and her young daughter, Pearl, and outcast amongst their devout puritan community. She and he daughter are scorned in public, “In a moment, however, wisely judging that one token of her shame would but poorly serve to hide another, she took the baby on her arm, and with a burning blush, and yet a haughty smile, and a glance that would not be abashed, looked around at her townspeople and neighbors” (Hawthorn 47) The shamefulness of becoming an outsider has taken and emotional toll on both Hester and her child, for they are both forced to live with the shun that has been placed upon them because of Hester’s sinful actions. Another repercussion of Hester’s action that we see is the one being placed on her young daughter. Even though children Pearl’s age do not fully understand what has been done, they still feel the need to shun Pearl. Hester’s isolation from the rest of the Puritan society is signified with the scarlet letter that has been given to her, “… both men and women, who had been familiarly acquainted with Hester Prynne, were now impressed as if they beheld her for the first time, -- was that scarlet letter, so fantastically embroidered and illuminated upon her bosom. It had the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and inclosing her in a sphere by herself.” (Hawthorn 61) Hester and Pearl’s isolation revolves around the Puritan ideology that if you are to commit sin, you will have to pay the price of isolation.
Works Cited
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York, NY: Bantum Dell, 1986
"Hawthorne, Nathaniel. 1850. The Scarlet Letter." Hawthorne, Nathaniel. 1850. The Scarlet Letter. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2012.
"The Scarlet Letter Sin Quotes Page 1." Shmoop. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2012..
Ryann you have some great points! I find it very disconcerting that Pearl is judged as the object of her mother's sin. The Puritan society seemingly has righteous morals and it would appear to be a flawlessly based society for religion, but there are problems within the society in how they treat others that do wrong. When they isolated Hester and her daughter they created an opportunity for Pearl to not be aware of the basis of their culture. They strive for perfection but also lack necessary treatment of people. Like you said, this always relates back to the emotional toll that the punishment has on her and now placed upon Pearl.
DeleteMalcolm Gilman
ReplyDeleteMarlaire
AP LIT Period 6
6 November 2012
In the puritan community there was a very strict belief of conformity that required the individual to be secretive and suppressed and any deviation from the community’s views from their doctrine resulted in being ostracized from the community. In the “Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne this puritan community allows for dark secrets to be held on to only as long as the person who committed the sin keeps it to themselves “integrity of the community demanded religious conformity” (God in America) but when Hester Prynne had Pearl out of wedlock her sin was out in the open bring same down on the so called perfect community and damaged its integrity. "That outward guise of purity was but a lie, and that, if truth were everywhere to be shown, a scarlet would blaze forth on many a bosom besides Hester Prynne's?"(Hawthorne, 80) Hester seeing people who bear her same shame shows how they are not sought out and punished because they keep their own deeds behind closed door not bringing shame on the community shows the hypocritical side of the society that doesn’t punish sin unless it is seen while they say they are there to be pure and utopian. Also in this very outstanding society that shows they views to outsides was the way they treat them often avoiding them and tossing them side long glances and in the case of some of the children to harassing the outsiders “Behold, verily, there is the women of the scarlet letter; and, of a truth, moreover, there is the likeness of the scarlet letter running along by her side! Come, therefore, and let us fling mud at them!"(Hawthorne, 93) for all the talk of being a utopian community the puritans are quiet cruel to those they have branded outcast.
Work Cited
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York: Bantam Dell, 1850. Print.
"People and Ideas: The Puritans." God in America. PBS. 11 Oct. 2010. Web. 18 Oct. 2012.
I totally agree with you, the Puritan society, often portrayed as the utopian community, provides laws and constructs that are bound to be broken due to the fact that humans are flawed in more ways than one, never actually perfect. As such Hester is faced with a dilemma of being an outcast of her society, and is constantly viewed as the role model of what not to be, when in truth all the members of the community have their own secrets, but are just not willing to reveal them. Hester's trial put her out in the open and ironically the perfect community was broken due to Hester and the most respected and believed to be faithful members of the community, reverend Dimmesdale.
DeleteRosemary Fonseca
ReplyDeleteMarlaire
AP Lit
6 November 2012
As a consequence of Hester Prynne's disgraceful crime within her puritan society, she ,as well as her daughter Pearl, become outsiders. The simple fact the Hester Prynne has the scarlet A "fantastically embroided and illuminated" on her clothes signifies her obvious segregation from society for she is forced to mark herself with the letter as punishment for her crime (Hawthorne 51). The Puritan strong belief in the "importance of righteous behavior" within society is broken by Hester Prynne causing her daughter Pearl "was a born outcast of the" society (PBS; Hawthorne 85). The hurtful treatment of both Pearl and Heather lead them to "a small cottage . . . on the outskirts of town" which highlights her separation from society (Hawthorne 75). Her new refuge lies within "the shadow of the forest" which is seen as a place of sin and darkness, highlighting her crime as sinful and its great disapproval of her actions, portraying her as an outsider.
Works Cited
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York, NY: Bantum Dell, 1986
PBS. "People & Ideas: The Puritans." God In America: People: The Puritans. PBS, 2012. Web. 06 Nov. 2012. .
I agree, Hester and Pearl are both labeled as "outsiders" by society. I think that the Puritan social structure requires a very strict adherence, because it's a very negative religion when it comes to personal chances at salvation. Puritanism seems to focus on the good of the community, and this requires punishments for those who try to go against the social norms. Hester seems to be even more rejected by her society in chapter 2, with one person claiming that Hester "has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die" (Hawthorne 49). Thus, the Puritan religion's structure requires Hester, and therefore Pearl as well, to be shunned and cast off as an outsider for the good of the community.
DeleteThis is a good point, because of Hester’s crime and punishment, she becomes an outsider that is banished to live outside the city, and unfortunately Pearl is dragged along with her. Pearl was born into her separation from society. I like how you said the strong puritan beliefs in the “importance of righteous behavior” was broken because of Pearls misfortune to being an outsider. Both of their separations of society were a major effect on the plot because of the broken puritan beliefs. I like how you explained this. The motif of being an outsider is greatly established by Hester and Pearl, because of the broken beliefs.
DeleteYes, Hester and Pearl clearly embody the role of the outsider in the Puritan society. The "shadow of the forest" (Hawthorne 75) is an interesting quote that fits perfectly with this outsider motif. The forest represents a primitive place that symbolizes darkness and a lack of rules that prevent sins, which is the exact opposite of the Puritan society. So being a shadow of this sinful place means that Hester and Pearl are engulfed and cloaked by sin, again making them the antagonists to Puritan society. Also, this forest is described as being Hester and Pearl's refuge which furthers the distinction between them and Puritan society as the positive connotation of refuge makes it seem like Hester and Pearl feel safe in the depths of sin and that they feel threatened by Puritan society.
DeleteI agree that Hester’s sinful actions have set her apart from the rest of the Puritan community. Puritans are very strict in upholding their morals and righteous behavior, and by violating the moral code, Hester was forced by her community to wear the scarlet letter. She becomes ostracized by the “pure” members of the community and even by the unfortunate of whom she is trying to help. Hester therefore lives isolated from the community in the forest with her daughter Pearl, the product of her sin. Pearl inevitably inherits the outsider status and is likewise looked down upon by society.
DeleteI agree that Hester, as well as Pearl, become outsiders. You bring up a good point with stating that Hester carries the scarlet letter "fantastically embroidered and illuminated."(Hawthorne 51) With Hester carrying the Scarlet letter with such pride proves that she is not ashamed of her "sin" which "take[s] her out of ordinary relations with humanity, and enclosing her in a sphere by herself."(Hawthorne 51)With puritan society being so strict and Hester displaying the scarlet letter with pride, it contradicts puritan beliefs or order and good discipline. With Hester going against the beliefs of the Puritan community it obviously brings her and Pearl out of the community as members although they are still surrounded by it.
DeleteThroughout Puritan society the concept of being an outsider is one of shame and rejection and Hawthorne really emphasizes that through Hester and Pearl and how society views them. Hester’s community puts shame onto Hester and looks “… at her, who had been innocent” but is now “the figure, the body, [and] the reality of sin” (Hawthorne 73). Society makes her feel like the crime she had committed is almost equal to something of a much higher severity and the thought of her actions make the townspeople turn away in disgust and she and her unwanted daughter are ostracized. By displaying her crime to the public it shatters Hester’s innocence and makes her even more of an outsider because her individuality is now lost and she is just another adulterer in the minds of the people. In Hester’s case (of being a woman) the struggle to erase her title of crime would be even harder as she is a woman alone with no man to really take care of her and she is therefore portrayed as weak. Similarly, in the beginning of the story, the rose bush growing outside of the building serves to symbol the concept of an outsider as it doesn’t belong anywhere near a dark prison but brings a sliver of hope into the dark uninviting place. Pearl, is represented in the same way as the rosebush in that she does not know exactly where she belongs or exactly how she got there but she knows she is different and looked at as unwanted. (Although the rosebush is not necessarily unwanted). Overall, the concept of an outsider in the story is shown through feelings of loneliness, regret, and shame by Hester and the community around her.
ReplyDeleteWorks Cited:
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York: Bantam Dell, 1850. Print.
I really like your idea that the rosebush could symbolize the concept of an outsider. I think that the rosebush could possibly symbolize Hester herself in abidance with the idea of the scarlet letter, strongly because of their similar colors. Because the red of the letter "A" on Hester's clothing, she is seen as an outsider who "doesn’t belong anywhere near a dark prison but brings a sliver of hope into the dark uninviting place."(Hasham) in the same way that the rosebush does. The way that Hawthorne state that the rosebush had "merely survived out of the stern old wilderness, so long after the fall of the gigantic pines and oaks that originally overshadowed it"(Hawthorne 46) reminds me of Hester because she will continue even after everyone tries to "overshadow" her.
DeleteI Like the symbolism of the rosebush and how it resmebles Hester and her sin. Like Ellisa said, its like the scarlett "A", and she is seen as an individual and not part of the collective puritain society.
DeleteI really like the points you made about not only does Hester’s sin makes her and Pearl outsiders to Puritan religion but also how the views people have of the two of them, force them to live on the outskirts of town in isolation. The motif of isolation or outsider is rather big and important within the text. Throughout the whole story (so far) Hester and Pearl have been living in isolation because of Hester’s unfaithful sin that has forever affected Pearls life due to the fact that she is the child of an affair. We never knew Hester when she was a part of society. Her actions are what created this new life for her. She will always be an outsider in Puritan society.
DeleteTatiana Kuenzi
ReplyDeleteMarlaire
AP LIT P.4
6 Nov. 2012
The role of the outsider plays a huge part in The Scarlet Letter. When Hester Prynne is convicted of adultery, she becomes the outsider and is looked down upon by the members of her community. After being forced to wear the scarlet A on her clothes, Hester moves into a “small thatched cottage… its comparative remoteness put it out of the sphere of… social activity” (Hawthorne 74-75). Rather than escaping her fate in a Puritan community, Hester stays, although on the outskirts of town, to endure her punishment. Hester’s acceptance of her role as the outsider is an example of her being an outsider in itself. Members of her community would not have allowed themselves to become outsiders like Hester had, they would have preferred to remain within society’s conformist standards (Campbell). Hester’s courage in herself to stay and endure her punishment also shows her individualism, which contrasts with her community’s conformism. The value placed on Hester as an individual also shows Hawthorne’s Transcendentalist and American Romanticist influences and is compared to the Puritan ideologies that Hester’s community members hold.
Hester as the outsider in The Scarlet Letter provides a contrast to her Puritan community and individualizes Hester as someone who did not fit into this community as well as all of Puritan society as well.
Works Cited
Campbell, Donna M. "Puritanism in New England." Literary Movements. Dept. of English, Washington State University. 21 March 2010. Web. 6 Nov. 2012.
< http://public.wsu.edu/~campbelld/amlit/purdef.htm>
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. Pleasantville, NY: Reader's Digest Association, 1984. Print.
Totally Tatiana. I think you are spot on. Because of Hesters individualistic characteristic you would expect her to just escape the society completely and do her own thing. She decides to remain a part of her society and take care of her child Pearl though. This puts her as in a place of an outsider in society. This also results Pearls life to becoming an outsider as she grows up. She has to live the lifestyle as of her mother but endures more of it as she will live longer. Hester defiantly does have a lot of courage to live a life with having to endure society everyday.
DeleteI like your last point. Being an individual (or an outsider) is greatly frowned upon in Puritan society. However, Hester lets herself be out casted, and for this I see her as a very strong character. Others have either conformed or fled, but she has chosen to take her punishment with pride. She is specifically “characterized by a certain state and dignity” (Hawthorne 50), showing that she does not let her individuality make her shameful. I think this manifests Hawthorne’s purpose in writing the book. He himself was raised with a strong Puritan background, and yet his novel applauses Hester’s position. Ultimately, he praises breaking inane tradition, even if it means becoming an outsider.
DeleteNick Hernandez
ReplyDeleteMarlaire
AP Lit period 6
6 November 2012
In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, nature serves as a contrast to Puritanism; nature is benevolent and flexible whereas Puritanism is strict and compassionless. With the symbol of the wild rosebush at the prison door, the author reveals his opinion of Hester’s punishment to “symbolize some sweet moral blossom” (Hawthorne 46) and symbolize freedom from the restriction of society by placing the important Christian qualities of charity and mercy in the natural world in opposition to puritan severity. “On one side of the portal and rooted almost at the threshold, was a wild rosebush... We could hardly do otherwise than pluck one of its flowers, and present it to the reader.” (Hawthorne 46) By presenting the reader with an imaginary flower from this bush, the author encourages them to take Hester’s side against society therefore adding a sense of hope to the plot. Likewise, the wild rosebush, in chapter eight, when Mr. Wilson asked Pearl’s origin and she “announced that she had not been made at all, but had been plucked by her mother off the bush of wild roses that grew by the prison door,” (Hawthorne 102) is used to emphasize that Pearl is a symbol of hope and encouragement for Hester to fight against society. Finally, by setting a scene of Hester’s public ignominy among a crowd at an ugly prison on a beautiful summer morning, he emphasizes that her punishment is a violation of the natural order. Her punishment is artificial and it has nothing to do with genuine penance, thus leading to the idea that nature serves as an antithesis to Puritanism.
Works Cited
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York: Bantam Dell, 1850. Print.
I really like the way you use nature to contrast Puritanism. I agree that Hawthorne often uses it to show how far off Puritanism is from nature. Maybe this is similar to "The World is Too Much With Us" in a way? I like the way you connect the rosebush from the start of the story with the one that Pearl mentions later. These roses could also possibly contrast with the scarlet letter because in Puritan society, the color red is seen as fiery and against their ideals, such as in the way where Pearl was dressed in red, where as Hawthorne sees the color red of the roses as the heart of nature and a very genuine good thing.
DeleteNick I think your were right on how puritanism was contrasting to nature. How in puritanism unlike nature it is stricter and less sympathetic. Also what Elissa said that this relates to “ The world is too much with us”, I thought that the scarlet letter resembles a sort of “less recognition of man” attitude. And the “ The world is too much with us”, the author is trying to get the reader back into that mindset sort of , in order to safe what’s left of nature
DeleteWithin The Scarlet Letter, Hester becomes an outsider from her Puritan society because of her sinful actions of adultery. She has an affair with her town minister, Dimmensdale, because she thinks her husband is dead from his travels. With that, Hester and her daughter, Pearl, are being treated like trash: “This woman has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die. Is there not law for it?” (Hawthorne 49). The society members verbally harass Hester and her daughter and throw Hester into the jailhouse for her dirty actions against society. Also Hester Prynne is given the letter “A” representing adulterer to put on her chest, so she could openly carry her “sin” throughout society, which causes people to see her as a person that is not worthy of being a part of the Puritan society. This affects Pearl because she is taken away from her mother and is thrown back into the society where she is suffering from her mother’s wrong deeds. The children of society think, since Pearl’s mother did something wrong; Pearl embraces that sin as well because she is the product of adultery, as the governor says, ““Here is a child of three years old, and she cannot tell who made her! Without question, she is equally in the dark as to her soul, its present depravity, and future destiny! Methinks, gentlemen, we need inquire no further.” (Hawthorne 103). Furthermore, according to Puritan ideologies, showing emotion towards one another was also “evil” because it represented a connection with the devil (Goodman). Simply, Hester and Pearl’s separation is centered on the Puritan belief that if you aren't dwelling upon god you are in human and you should be hung.
ReplyDeletePriyanka Garg
DeleteMarlaire
AP Lit p.6
11/6/12
Work Cited
Goodman, Brown. "Puritan Elements." Dept. of English.6.Nov.2012
Hawthorne,Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter.New York,NY:Bantum Dell, 1986.
I like how you said that not only Hester, but also Pearl were both accused of sin because of something Hester did. Pearl is clearly a scapegoat that shouldn't even be included in Hester's sin.
DeleteI also like how you mention Pearl is punished by a sin committed by her mother. I don't think Pearl was taken away from her mother though. The town only wished to take her away because they did not believe a sinful person like Hester would raise her in a correct manner. Also the town felt that Pearl was "of demon origin" (Hawthorne 91) and so desired their separation even more.
DeleteHester is also being punished in that she must watch over Pearl and resemble her in her youth, while at the same time becoming the embodyment of the torturous scarlet letter.
Hester's husband was presumed dead or captured, in his absence she had an affair with Reverend Dimmsdale. She is given complete blame for this adulterous act. The Puritan values of her society repress women and their sexual freedom. Hester is given an embroidered "A" that she has to wear on all of her clothing for the rest of her life, while Dimmsdale remains anonymous. Pearl has to suffer from the actions of her mother, and it negatively influences her upbringing and subsequently her personality and social skills.
Delete