The Scarlet Letter was one of the first American novels to have a central female character and showed the power of women, which was published millennia before the modern feminist movement. The Scarlet Letter is a novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1850. The concepts of love, devotion, sin, regret, patriarchy, and punishment are woven throughout his classic novel. Marilyn Mueller Wilton’s article, written in 1992, contends that Hester is, in fact, a rebellious hero, and subjugates Dimmesdale to the role of meek “heroine” of the story, thus defining a role reversal as one of the novel’s central themes.
Hester is the hero in The Scarlet Letter and assumes the role of the typical male. Wilton states “Hawthorne establishes Hester's centrality …show more content…
In the scholarly article, it is stated on page 221, “throughout the novel Arthur Dimmesdale assumes the role of the ‘Love Object,' a subordinate stance traditionally taken by a heroine of significantly lesser importance than the hero.” Only 3-4 chapters include Dimmesdale, and he is only included in the narrative in scenes with Hester when he talks to her about their love, or Pearl, a result of their love. Further evidence of his subordinate status is given in Chapter 17 when Hester is begging Dimmesdale for forgiveness. Dimmesdale replies with "I freely forgive you now. May God forgive us both!”. This statement shows his passivity as a heroine by not doing anything to aid his redemption from God. He is the lesser character in this pivotal moment by not making this plan and just going along with Hester's idea. These two points lead to the more significant point of this article …show more content…
For example, in chapter 8 Hawthorne writes, “Speak thou for me!” cried she. “Thou wast my pastor, and hadst charge of my soul, and knowest me better than these men can. I will not lose the child! Speak for me!” and then “There is truth in what she says,” began the minister, with a voice sweet, tremulous, but powerful, insomuch that the hall reëchoed, and the hollow armour rang with it,—“truth in what Hester says, and in the feeling which inspires her! God gave her the child”. Dimmesdale doesn’t act until called upon by Hester. This shows his heroine nature and lack of involvement unless acted upon by
Hester is the hero in The Scarlet Letter and assumes the role of the typical male. Wilton states “Hawthorne establishes Hester's centrality …show more content…
In the scholarly article, it is stated on page 221, “throughout the novel Arthur Dimmesdale assumes the role of the ‘Love Object,' a subordinate stance traditionally taken by a heroine of significantly lesser importance than the hero.” Only 3-4 chapters include Dimmesdale, and he is only included in the narrative in scenes with Hester when he talks to her about their love, or Pearl, a result of their love. Further evidence of his subordinate status is given in Chapter 17 when Hester is begging Dimmesdale for forgiveness. Dimmesdale replies with "I freely forgive you now. May God forgive us both!”. This statement shows his passivity as a heroine by not doing anything to aid his redemption from God. He is the lesser character in this pivotal moment by not making this plan and just going along with Hester's idea. These two points lead to the more significant point of this article …show more content…
For example, in chapter 8 Hawthorne writes, “Speak thou for me!” cried she. “Thou wast my pastor, and hadst charge of my soul, and knowest me better than these men can. I will not lose the child! Speak for me!” and then “There is truth in what she says,” began the minister, with a voice sweet, tremulous, but powerful, insomuch that the hall reëchoed, and the hollow armour rang with it,—“truth in what Hester says, and in the feeling which inspires her! God gave her the child”. Dimmesdale doesn’t act until called upon by Hester. This shows his heroine nature and lack of involvement unless acted upon by