I don’t believe that Hester Prynne is a heroic figure. By definition, a hero is one who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Based on the novel, Hester is a sinner and criminal reprimanded for her actions with Arthur Dimmesdale by both the townspeople, forcing her to wear the scarlet letter, by Roger Chillingworth, who torments her husband, and even her daughter Pearl, who is a living reminder of Hester’s passion. Hester does nothing to earn admiration, outstanding achievement, or courage. She never rose up to meet any challenge. Although condemned by the community, however, she still made the best effort to help those around her. Thus Hester approached the hero status, but never completed it with an act of courage or possessing noble qualities. And although she left a lasting legacy, it was not one of heroism, but one of relentlessness, passion, and virtue.
I believe that Dimmesdale’s public …show more content…
Although it depicts the author’s point of view and how he came to write the novel, it does not directly correlate to an understanding of the novel. Although it provides a small framework and some small insight into the author’s life, it does not provide the reader with any insight towards the novel except for finding a manuscript with the scarlet letter “A” which inspired him to write the novel and a setting, both of which the reader could have discovered while reading. In a way, Hawthorne sets up the character of Hester Prynne, but that can also be discovered via reading the novel. Otherwise, the topics discussed in “The Custom House” are irrelevant to understanding the novel. The only thing that the introduction provides is small insight into Hawthorne’s life, personality, inspiration to write, and the setting of the novel in addition to a small reflection of Hester Prynne, none of which are needed to read/comprehend the
I believe that Dimmesdale’s public …show more content…
Although it depicts the author’s point of view and how he came to write the novel, it does not directly correlate to an understanding of the novel. Although it provides a small framework and some small insight into the author’s life, it does not provide the reader with any insight towards the novel except for finding a manuscript with the scarlet letter “A” which inspired him to write the novel and a setting, both of which the reader could have discovered while reading. In a way, Hawthorne sets up the character of Hester Prynne, but that can also be discovered via reading the novel. Otherwise, the topics discussed in “The Custom House” are irrelevant to understanding the novel. The only thing that the introduction provides is small insight into Hawthorne’s life, personality, inspiration to write, and the setting of the novel in addition to a small reflection of Hester Prynne, none of which are needed to read/comprehend the