“Good” versus “evil” is a dichotomy examined time and time again throughout literature. This contrast can be presented obviously in fairytales, however, when the juxtaposition builds subtly throughout a novel, it inspires a different type of dissection. However, each occurrence of this juxtaposition presents a conundrum. Who has the qualifications to make a statement on what is good and what is bad? However the fact of the matter comes down to this: the concept of good versus evil is elusive as well as extremely subjective. The interest in this contrast lies in how each author presents the case for good and bad. The tone and voice the author applies acts to narrate the opinion of societal values of a certain time and culture. In, The Scarlet
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The first description of Hester paints her in a glowing style, “The young woman was tall, with a figure of perfect elegance… She had dark and abundant hair, so glossy that it threw off the sunshine with a gleam, and a face which, besides being beautiful from regularity of feature and richness of complexion… She was ladylike... “ (Hawthorne 51). Preceding this portrait of Hester’s grace, it proves almost unimaginable to think of Hester as an antagonist like the people of society do. The soft language Hawthorne implements creates a sort of delicate beauty to Hester’s image. The flowery language of “perfect elegance”, “glossy”, and “richness of complexion”, establishes a positive connotation when imagining Hester’s character. Her beauty is out of the normal, but this is portrayed in a good way as she levels up to the brightest thing on earth- the sun. This description makes it difficult to classify Hester as an “evil” sinner. As the novel progresses, the meaning behind the scarlet letter begins to morph as does the Puritan’s hostility towards Hester as she uses her role in the community for good. Hester’s reputation begins to improve as society begins to see her as an asset to themselves, “Such helpfulness was found in her… many people refused to interpret the scarlet ‘A’ by its original signification. They said that it meant ‘Able’” (Hawthorne 158). When Hester begins to act “helpful” to the people in her town, they see her in a whole new way. Puritan citizens who first condemned Hester for her sin, begin to see the letter to mean “able” instead. If the opinions of the public can fluctuate so quickly, how can Hester be classified as just “good” or just “bad”? Once a sinner to not
The first description of Hester paints her in a glowing style, “The young woman was tall, with a figure of perfect elegance… She had dark and abundant hair, so glossy that it threw off the sunshine with a gleam, and a face which, besides being beautiful from regularity of feature and richness of complexion… She was ladylike... “ (Hawthorne 51). Preceding this portrait of Hester’s grace, it proves almost unimaginable to think of Hester as an antagonist like the people of society do. The soft language Hawthorne implements creates a sort of delicate beauty to Hester’s image. The flowery language of “perfect elegance”, “glossy”, and “richness of complexion”, establishes a positive connotation when imagining Hester’s character. Her beauty is out of the normal, but this is portrayed in a good way as she levels up to the brightest thing on earth- the sun. This description makes it difficult to classify Hester as an “evil” sinner. As the novel progresses, the meaning behind the scarlet letter begins to morph as does the Puritan’s hostility towards Hester as she uses her role in the community for good. Hester’s reputation begins to improve as society begins to see her as an asset to themselves, “Such helpfulness was found in her… many people refused to interpret the scarlet ‘A’ by its original signification. They said that it meant ‘Able’” (Hawthorne 158). When Hester begins to act “helpful” to the people in her town, they see her in a whole new way. Puritan citizens who first condemned Hester for her sin, begin to see the letter to mean “able” instead. If the opinions of the public can fluctuate so quickly, how can Hester be classified as just “good” or just “bad”? Once a sinner to not