Nathaniel Hawthorne is a descendant of Justice John Hathorne, from the infamous Salem Witch Trials in 1692. The trials reveal the Puritan religion and community to be perilous force. Nathaniel Hawthorne is also the dark romantic author behind the literary classic, The Scarlet Letter. The Scarlet Letter is a novel that serves as a commentary on Puritan beliefs. Puritanism in The Scarlet Letter is unjust and extremely flawed compared to the popular religion of Catholicism. Although Puritans are thought to be sinless and constantly repenting, the characters in The Scarlet Letter are shown with a dark, evil, and sinful side. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s depiction of Puritanism in this novel may be affected by his personal beliefs and his dark romantic
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The characters made decisions that would never even cross another Puritan’s mind. ‘O Hester!’ cried Arthur Dimmesdale, and his eyes a fitful light, kindled by her enthusiasm, flashed up and died away, ‘Thou tellest of running a race to a man whose knees are tottering beneath him! I must die here. There is not the strength or courage left me to venture into the wide, strange, difficult world, alone!’ It was the last expression of the despondency of a broken spirit. He lacked energy to grasp the better fortune that seems within his reach. He repeated the word. ‘Alone, Hester!’ ‘Thou shalt not go alone!’ answered she, in a deep whisper. Then, all was spoken! (Hawthorne 136).
This quote shows Hester and Dimmesdale making their plans to break away from the Puritan community and start a new life with their new family. Puritans do not think this way, they suffer and live with their mistakes. They do not find what is best for them, they put in as much effort as possible to please God and to look for a happy afterlife. Nathaniel Hawthorne has changed the way Puritans are shown in novels. Throughout Puritan literature, God is shown as a treacherous and unforgiving character. Hawthorne’s characters are shown ignoring the basic Puritan beliefs and interpreting them in their own way. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s depiction of Puritanism in this novel may be …show more content…
This fiction is written as a narration regarding Puritan beliefs. Puritanism in The Scarlet Letter is unreasonable and blemished in contrast to the favored religion of Catholicism. Puritans are thought to be immaculate and reforming, however the characters in The Scarlet Letter are shown with a diabolical, infernal, and vile side. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s portrayal of the Puritan religion in this novel may be affected by his personal ideologies and his dark romantic position. Since the Salem Witch trials, Puritanism has been seen as a hazardous creed to believe in. Through Nathaniel Hawthorne’s characters, we draw a sense of the true vulnerabilities of the Puritan
The characters made decisions that would never even cross another Puritan’s mind. ‘O Hester!’ cried Arthur Dimmesdale, and his eyes a fitful light, kindled by her enthusiasm, flashed up and died away, ‘Thou tellest of running a race to a man whose knees are tottering beneath him! I must die here. There is not the strength or courage left me to venture into the wide, strange, difficult world, alone!’ It was the last expression of the despondency of a broken spirit. He lacked energy to grasp the better fortune that seems within his reach. He repeated the word. ‘Alone, Hester!’ ‘Thou shalt not go alone!’ answered she, in a deep whisper. Then, all was spoken! (Hawthorne 136).
This quote shows Hester and Dimmesdale making their plans to break away from the Puritan community and start a new life with their new family. Puritans do not think this way, they suffer and live with their mistakes. They do not find what is best for them, they put in as much effort as possible to please God and to look for a happy afterlife. Nathaniel Hawthorne has changed the way Puritans are shown in novels. Throughout Puritan literature, God is shown as a treacherous and unforgiving character. Hawthorne’s characters are shown ignoring the basic Puritan beliefs and interpreting them in their own way. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s depiction of Puritanism in this novel may be …show more content…
This fiction is written as a narration regarding Puritan beliefs. Puritanism in The Scarlet Letter is unreasonable and blemished in contrast to the favored religion of Catholicism. Puritans are thought to be immaculate and reforming, however the characters in The Scarlet Letter are shown with a diabolical, infernal, and vile side. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s portrayal of the Puritan religion in this novel may be affected by his personal ideologies and his dark romantic position. Since the Salem Witch trials, Puritanism has been seen as a hazardous creed to believe in. Through Nathaniel Hawthorne’s characters, we draw a sense of the true vulnerabilities of the Puritan