Racial Stereotypes In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

Examples can be seen everywhere, including books, movies, textbooks, and individuals from everyday life. In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale demonstrate near-opposite examples of the Puritan society. In today’s society, racial stereotyping are forms of “examples”. Positive examples are often also seen; many people act as role models or inspirations to others, whether or not they are well known. Despite their generally positive intent, examples can be damaging to society and the individual, as is seen with Hester and Dimmesdale. After having an affair with Dimmesdale and becoming pregnant, Hester was forced to wear the scarlet letter as a punishment in the hopes that she would be consumed by guilt, …show more content…
They are generally role models or symbols that illustrate a trait or a rule, and can be positive or negative. They are often assigned to, and burdened by, certain people for the sake of others in society. Despite the idea that having and being an example is a positive influence, more often than not its effects are negative. Many times, we forget that stereotypes are a form of examples. Stereotypes perpetuate misconceptions and discrimination, thus stopping any and all progress within society. Stereotyping, judging, or making an example out of people is a part of human nature. Examples are made to demonstrate something, such as power or the rewarding of good behavior. Judging, or assessing others, is a sign of human weakness. Often, after making an assessment of one person, we connect that judgement to another because of a shared trait. Thus, the stereotype is born. A stereotype creates a mold, which can be hardened by discrimination, that is difficult to break out of. Having an example of a certain, unknown type of person brings comfort to people who fear change. Those who fear change hate those who “break the mold” of their stereotype. Breaking the mold paves the way for others restrained by an example and simultaneously destroys the original example. Those who created this stereotype are then forced to change. For example, many people in the U.S. today hate immigrants …show more content…
These positive examples, or role models, are idolized by the public the same way that Dimmesdale was. This group of followers is so enamored by their idol that they fail to see any possible flaws or wrongdoings. As humans, each and every one of us has flaws, and to think otherwise is extremely dangerous. When we assume differently, we set an unachievable expectation that can only be destroyed. After the people's expectations are shattered, they are disillusioned and angry. They attempt to blame the example for not achieving perfection, although they were the ones that created the desire for perfection. While idolizing a person, people often strive to be exactly like them. They often sacrifice their individuality and instead conform to the standards set by the idol. Along with this, they compare themselves to their role model, who they believe is the example of perfection. Although their perfect example is not perfect in reality, they believe them to be and are disappointed in themselves when they do not achieve perfection. Additionally, the presence of examples prohibit the example from being anything other than they are expected to be; they begin to conform to their own imposed definition. Frederick Douglass was the example of the freed slave, and as a result, he was held back from attempting to be anything else. As Hawthorne says in the conclusion: “Be true! Be true! Be true!