On The Scarlet Letter

D.H. Lawrence writes to expose the malicious side of Hester Prynne in his critical essay, “On The Scarlet Letter”. With his unique style of writing, Lawrence criticizes the way Hawthorne victimizes Hester, creating the facade that is her character. To convey his reasoning, he provides context and analysis of her disgraceful character throughout the novel. Lawrence uses sarcastic tone, biblical allusions, and choppy and repetitive syntax to prove that Hester Prynne is not a heroine in The Scarlet Letter. Lawrence presents a sarcastic tone to prove that Hester is not as heroic as Hawthorne describes. For example, while writing that Hester’s sin should not be overlooked, he mentions that the greatest “triumph a woman can have, especially an American woman, is the triumph of seducing man: especially if he is pure” (Lawrence). In this way, he believes Hester is a bad example for American women. She is the one who wrongfully entices Dimmesdale, even though she is still married. However, Hawthorne sees Hester’s sin as …show more content…
He mentions that Hester is Hawthorne’s Abel, in reference to Cain and Abel, and how “it becomes a farce” (Lawrence). Although Abel is the victim in the biblical story, Hawthorne portrays Hester as Abel, even though she is the real sinner of The Scarlet Letter. Lawrence reveals how Hawthorne constantly victimizes Hester, in spite of her sin. Hester makes a mockery out of Abel himself, because she is said to be pure, when she really is not. Lawrence references baby Jesus and Mother Mary. Hawthorne believes that Hester holds that “sacred image of sinless Motherhood, whose infant was to redeem the world” (Lawrence). Mary’s child is born from God, but Hester’s child is born out of sin. Hawthorne portrays Hester as a “sinless” mother, and that her baby will be what can redeem her, even though she commits the biggest sin of all: