The Feminist Scarlet Letter - 1801 Words

The Scarlet Letter can easily be seen as an early feminist piece of work. Nathaniel Hawthorne created a story that exemplifies Hester as a strong female character living with her choices, whether they were good or bad, and also as the protagonist. He also presents the daughter of Hester, Pearl, as an intelligent female, especially for her age. He goes on to prove man as imperfect through both the characters of Dimmesdale and of Chillingworth. With the situation that all the characters face, Hawthorne establishes the female as the triumphant one, accomplishing something that, during Nathaniel Hawthornes time, authors did not attempt. In the beginning of the book, Hawthorne paints the picture of a female named Hester who has sinned.†¦show more content†¦(pg. 51) It shown incredibly bright on her dress. Many of the townspeople do not understand her reasoning for such elaborate stitching, but Hawthorne suggest the fact that she understands why she must wear it and accepts that she has sinned and must pay for her sins. He depicts a female who is not weak and who does not runs away from her problems and mistakes, but one who accepts them. She does the same with her daughter Pearl by dressing her in elaborate garments, strictly against Puritanical beliefs. Hester also proves herself to be a strong female character when she does not leave the town and attempt to start a new life elsewhere, void of her scarlet letter. It may seem marvelous, that this woman should still call that place her home, where, and where only, she must needs be the type of shame. (pg. 72) Hawthorne goes on to state that Hester is drawn to the home because of the events. She knows that the town is the scene of her guilt, and [there] should be the scene of her earthly punishment. (pg. 72) Hester is a female who is she is strong and caring, helping anyone she can when he or she are in need. She leads a pious life, and although she could retain all that she earns, she gives mo st away. Even the townsfolk say Hester is so kind to the poor, so helpful to the sick, so comfortable to the afflicted. (pg. 142) Nathaniel Hawthorne almost all ways personifies Hester as a powerful female, makingShow MoreRelatedIs The Scarlet Letter A Feminist Novel?1456 Words   |  6 PagesAshley Noack M. Chau-Lee English 3H 11/ 13/14 Is The Scarlet Letter A Feminist Novel? A feminist is defined in the British Dictionary as a person who advocates equal rights for women. However incredulous it may sound, women had to fight for rights for equality in things such as politics, economics, and their personal affairs. If the revolutionary feminist concepts were surfacing in the time of Nathaniel Hawthorne, circa 1850, then how was it that he was inspired to write Hester’s character? HoweverRead MoreIs The Scarlet Letter A Feminist Novel?1659 Words   |  7 PagesIs The Scarlet Letter a Feminist Novel? Women all have something in common: they have all encountered a form of gender-based discrimination. Some women in countries have experienced harsher segregations than others. For instance, women in Pakistan have experienced severe discrimination a prohibition of education. One woman who is well known for being an activist for the education of women is Malala Yousafzai. Malala is a woman who has inspired many oppressed others to fight for their education.Read MoreFeminist Criticism : The Scarlet Letter 1324 Words   |  6 PagesAndrea Rhoden English IV Almack 1st six weeks The Scarlet Letter:Feminism Feminist criticism is a form of literary criticism that uncovers the common mistreatment of women in literature. For centuries, women have been viewed as the minorities, unable to control and protect themselves. 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With the situation thatRead MoreHester Prynnes The Scarlet Letter : A Feminist Novel805 Words   |  4 Pages The scarlet letter would be considered a feminist book because of the strength that Hester showed while all of society rejected her, and her daughter pearl. In the scarlet letter there is a women who is introduced to us known as Hester Prynne. In the story it tells us the life of Hester and her struggle living in a society that has alienated her because she has committed adultery. The scarlet letter is a feminist novel because of the strength that Hester has as a women throughout the bookRead MoreFeminist Movement in Nathaniel Hawthrone ´s The Scarlet Letter1469 Words   |  6 PagesWritten at the start of the feminist movement, The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne holds close ties with both the cause and the ideology behind it. 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Due to the diversity of perspectives, the questions proposed by these scholars vary and hence the conclusions they arrive at by examining the same literary text mayRead MoreHester Pyrnne As An Early Feminist Of Nathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter1890 Words   |  8 PagesTOPIC: Hester Pyrnne as an Early Feminist of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s â€Å"The Scarlet Letter†. Most people identify Feminism as an anti-male movement hell-bent on making women the dominant gender, but this is not the case. In this novel, The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne executes these ideas by overcoming her public humiliation and rising up against the predetermined ideas that her Puritan town holds for her. She is a perfect example of what a feminist should be, which is a real treat considering the time