LETTER Y
Scarlet Letter Essay The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a text, that makes a profound comment on many aspects of the human condition. While there are many important topics that are broached within the novel, the character of Hester Prynne is shown by Hawthorne in a unique way that is very applicable in modern society. Within the Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne establishes the character of Hester Prynne through a multitude of rhetorical devices. The juxtaposition between Hawthorn’s characterization of Hester as a willful young woman and her humble repentance for her crime allow Hester to better herself in society and establish her as a role model for modern women and allow her character to be understood in the …show more content…
Hester is shown to be both headstrong and modest through the defining feature of Hester’s status within the novel, the scarlet letter A. Hawthorne uses this device to illustrate both aspects of Hester’s personality. Hawthorne shows Hester’s willful qualities by the way that she adorns the letter A. This letter is meant to be a punishment, however, Hawthorne uses the letter to illustrate her defiance by having Hester decorate the letter with “a fine red cloth surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread” (54). This characterization by Hawthorne establishes Hester as using the letter as a mark of her strength rather than a weakness. By refusing to be ashamed of her crime, Hester illustrates how self reliant she is. Despite the negative way in which she is viewed within the community, Hester does not falter in her self-confidence. When coming out of the prison, Hester is described by Hawthorne as having a “burning blush and yet a haughty smile, and a glance that would not yet be abashed” (54). These attributes of Hester Prynne, as described by Nathaniel Hawthorne, illustrate her self-assurance and create a very powerful character within Hester Prynne, showing that she does not judge herself on the opinions of …show more content…
Hawthorn’s use of tone with respect to Hester does, in many ways, show that, despite her self confident nature, she does understand that she committed a crime and feels guilty about her actions. Hester’s inner monologue is used by Hawthorne to show that Hester stays in the town because, “here…had been the scene of her guilt , and here should be the scene of her earthly punishment” (79). Hester lives “on the outskirts of town…not in vicinity to any other habitation” (80) in a “small thatched cottage” (80), completely cut off from the rest of society. Hester’s physical isolation from the rest of her society are used by Hawthorne to further illustrate Hester’s guilt. Hester is alone with Pearl, who Hester describes to the Governor as, “the scarlet letter” (112). Pearl is essentially established by Hawthorn as the living embodiment of Hester’s crime. Therefore, by putting Hester in both social and physical isolation with Pearl and her feelings of guilt, Hawthorne establishes that Hester is able to consider her status in society and come to terms with her
Scarlet Letter Essay The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a text, that makes a profound comment on many aspects of the human condition. While there are many important topics that are broached within the novel, the character of Hester Prynne is shown by Hawthorne in a unique way that is very applicable in modern society. Within the Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne establishes the character of Hester Prynne through a multitude of rhetorical devices. The juxtaposition between Hawthorn’s characterization of Hester as a willful young woman and her humble repentance for her crime allow Hester to better herself in society and establish her as a role model for modern women and allow her character to be understood in the …show more content…
Hester is shown to be both headstrong and modest through the defining feature of Hester’s status within the novel, the scarlet letter A. Hawthorne uses this device to illustrate both aspects of Hester’s personality. Hawthorne shows Hester’s willful qualities by the way that she adorns the letter A. This letter is meant to be a punishment, however, Hawthorne uses the letter to illustrate her defiance by having Hester decorate the letter with “a fine red cloth surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread” (54). This characterization by Hawthorne establishes Hester as using the letter as a mark of her strength rather than a weakness. By refusing to be ashamed of her crime, Hester illustrates how self reliant she is. Despite the negative way in which she is viewed within the community, Hester does not falter in her self-confidence. When coming out of the prison, Hester is described by Hawthorne as having a “burning blush and yet a haughty smile, and a glance that would not yet be abashed” (54). These attributes of Hester Prynne, as described by Nathaniel Hawthorne, illustrate her self-assurance and create a very powerful character within Hester Prynne, showing that she does not judge herself on the opinions of …show more content…
Hawthorn’s use of tone with respect to Hester does, in many ways, show that, despite her self confident nature, she does understand that she committed a crime and feels guilty about her actions. Hester’s inner monologue is used by Hawthorne to show that Hester stays in the town because, “here…had been the scene of her guilt , and here should be the scene of her earthly punishment” (79). Hester lives “on the outskirts of town…not in vicinity to any other habitation” (80) in a “small thatched cottage” (80), completely cut off from the rest of society. Hester’s physical isolation from the rest of her society are used by Hawthorne to further illustrate Hester’s guilt. Hester is alone with Pearl, who Hester describes to the Governor as, “the scarlet letter” (112). Pearl is essentially established by Hawthorn as the living embodiment of Hester’s crime. Therefore, by putting Hester in both social and physical isolation with Pearl and her feelings of guilt, Hawthorne establishes that Hester is able to consider her status in society and come to terms with her