Lawrence mentions that Hester is Hawthorne’s Abel, in reference to Cain and Abel, and how it “becomes a farce” (Lawrence). He does this to explain that although Abel is the victim in the biblical story, Hawthorne portrays Hester as Abel, even though she is the one who seduces Dimmesdale. Hester makes a mockery out of the tale, and out of Abel himself because she is said to be pure when she is not. Lawrence makes another allusion to baby Jesus and his mother, Mary. Similar to Mary, Hester has a child who would “be a startling redemption the world will get from the American infant.” (Lawrence). Though Mary’s child is born out of God, Hester’s child is born out of sin. Lawrence wants the reader to see that Hawthorne wrongfully equates Hester and Mary because Hester is the epitome of sin, unlike
Lawrence mentions that Hester is Hawthorne’s Abel, in reference to Cain and Abel, and how it “becomes a farce” (Lawrence). He does this to explain that although Abel is the victim in the biblical story, Hawthorne portrays Hester as Abel, even though she is the one who seduces Dimmesdale. Hester makes a mockery out of the tale, and out of Abel himself because she is said to be pure when she is not. Lawrence makes another allusion to baby Jesus and his mother, Mary. Similar to Mary, Hester has a child who would “be a startling redemption the world will get from the American infant.” (Lawrence). Though Mary’s child is born out of God, Hester’s child is born out of sin. Lawrence wants the reader to see that Hawthorne wrongfully equates Hester and Mary because Hester is the epitome of sin, unlike