"Children, too young to comprehend wherefore this woman should be shut out from the sphere of human charities, would creep nigh enough to behold her needle at the cottage window, or standing in the doorway, or laboring in her little garden, or coming forth along the pathway that led town ward; and, discerning the scarlet letter on her breast, would scamper off with a strange, contagious fear." (85) The Scarlett Letter
Nathaniel Hawthorne writes an impressive dark tale about a young woman stricken with a devilish, unjust fate for committing one of the most sinful crimes of her time; Hawthorne gives the audience honest revelations of the Puritan era. The passage I chose to share, further describes the puritan society as sinister and evil, it teaches the audience more of the religious society during the 1700's. The children- influenced by the adults, comprehended that Hester Prynne was the outlaw, therefore she should be shunned from the enitre village, she was worth nothing, could never be Godly and the scarlett letter on her chest would forever prove this theory. Hawthorne is able to describe Hester as well; he writes that she gardens and sews; he describes her through her actions, she is described as a creative, peaceful, kind soul. Hawthorne uses an antithesis- showing contrasting ideas, in a balanced parallel construction, in order to portray Hester as the protagonist or the good guy and the puritan society (even the children) as the antagonist. Why? Hawthorne is obviously against the religious leaders of this time who are prejudice, are hypocrites and hold too much political power! His opinions about harsh puritan society demonstrated in The Scarlett Letter show us that he is a man who does not fear anyone, he acts through literature, shares his ideas, is honest and writes with purpose.
Questions:
1. Why has the author chosen to portray Roger Chillingworth-husband to Hester Prynne-as a doctor?
2. Is Hester Prynne still married to Roger Chillingworth?
3. How are the author's opinions about the puritan society depicted throughout this novel?
I love the humorous description of Hester (fashion designer and gardener!)... In regards to your second question, consider this: When was divorce "invented"? Certainly not during the Puritans' time... Therefor, the only time any man or woman could be "free" of their partner was when their partner died. So, yes, Hester is (and "would always" be) married to Roger.
ReplyDeleteGood work, don't forget to post to the class blog.
Hmm your first question is really interesting. Maybe Hawthorne chose to represent him as a doctor because doctors are usually seen as very smart and also high in class, so to spin that notion by having Hester be involved in such a scandal adds on to the twist and suspense of the book. As of your third question, Hawthorne seems to rather challenge the Puritan society based on the fact that he uses mainly Hester’s point of view and her side of the story rather than just through the views of the Puritan society. Instead of looking down upon her and mocking her like society has done, he instead shows the opposite by acknowledging the fact that Hester has committed this sin, but at the same time evoking sympathy from the audience to see that she is still a human being and is committed to gaining back some of that dignity she lost from the whole situation. :D
ReplyDeleteIn response to your first question, doctors were always seen as scholarly, intelligent individuals that were well-respected by others surrounding them so for someone of that stature to be involved in a situation like this it adds as Jeannette said, a sort of twist. For his wife to do something condemned in society, he had a good reason for wanting to keep their marriage a secret. To answer your third question, I believe Hawthorne qualifies with the views of Puritan society. While he does spend a lot of time on Hester's point of view and trying to show her individuality and strength, he also puts effort in relaying just how severe her actions were & why there should be some consequence for them.
ReplyDeleteDoctors carry a certain prestige and often are associated with helping or curing people. Hester is viewed as a person who need desperately to be ridded of her sin. By having a doctor as a husband who can "rid" you of what you are being punished for by being committed to him is both ironic and humorous as Ms. Roz said.
ReplyDeleteHawthorne states his views by mockery. By creating examples repatedly mocking what goes on and adding drastic areas of conflict or description, the reader acquires a sense of his beliefs in the society, either his book or his own life.
Roger is portrayed as a doctor because it is what draws him into this society with open arms. Like the preists, he has a high status. And because he is schalorly, and smart, and determined, he fits into this society and they will trust him. It is very rare for those of the upperclass to never go see a doctor, therefore he is prominent because he will be associated with the upperclass (Govenor Bellingham, John Wilson, etc) in many cases. His character of being a doctor allows him to squeeze into this society, and with his evilness he will reveal something.
ReplyDeleteHawthorne depicts this society as blind, and/or judging. The townspeople can see Hester's sins but not there own. This is a typical society, (blame one so no one else gets blamed). Hawthorne depicts this society as new, and one that needs to be strengthend.