Scarlet Letter Patriarchy

In the 1960s to present time, a popularly used yet underestimated topic is feminist criticism. Feminist criticism is used by many people and has a significant influence on the shaping of society. Although there are many existent approaches in feminist criticism, many are found to be in an area of commonality. For example, many would agree on one statement by Tyson that, "Gender issues play a part in every aspect of human production and experience, including the production and experience of literature, whether we are consciously aware of these issues or not (91)." Tyson identifies a problem towards sexuality and equality. She states that "Women are oppressed by patriarchy economically, politically, socially, and psychologically; patriarchal ideology is the primary means by which they are kept so" by every single action that is …show more content…
She also excerpts the attention it is drawing towards a resolution, "All feminist activity, including feminist theory and literary criticism, has as its ultimate goal to change the world by prompting gender equality"(Tyson 91). In "The Scarlet Letter", written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1850, he incorporates the ideology of gender roles in the puritan society throughout the character Hester Prynne.
Hester Prynne both accepts and rejects traditional gender roles which causes to reinforce and undermine patriarchal ideology. As most would agree, a "traditional man" is illustrated as strong, muscular, wealthy, focused, rational, aggressive, respected, repelled to weak emotions, intelligent, and protective. However, a "typical woman" is described as a housewife, a nurturer, dainty, subservient, submissive, moody, dramatic, emotional, irrational, vulnerable, and virtuous. In "The Scarlet Letter", Nathaniel Hawthorne portrays Hester as the strongest character in the book which is ironical because women are considered "weak". It's portrayed by her independence and ability to easily cope with her sin both internally and