D. H. Lawrence, the author of “On the Scarlet Letter,” writes about his opinions of the main character of The Scarlet Letter by Hawthorne, Hester Prynne. He believes that Hawthorne’s appraisal of Hester is overrated for she should be viewed as a sinner. Lawrence utilizes the literary devices of mocking diction, brief syntax, and biblical allusions to successfully communicate his argument that Hester Prynne is not only worthy of praise by Hawthorne or anyone else.
Lawrence’s use of mocking diction effectively supports his disapproval of Hester Prynne. He addresses Hester as “a demon” and also as “the great nemesis of woman” (Lawrence). The diction that he chose to incorporate in his writing shows his opinion of Hawthorne is harsh as he uses …show more content…
For instance he claims that when Hester commits adultery she had “tickled him in the right place, and he fell. Flop. Flop goes spiritual love.” (Lawrence). Using brief syntax such as this, draws the reader’s eye towards these statements. It provides emphasis to these remarks of disapproval of Hester’s corruption of an innocent and pure man emphasis. Since each point is emphasized, they almost act like bullets since each phrase attacks at Hester’s innocence. Lawrence uses many choppy sentences such as “Adulteress. Alpha. Abel. Adam. A. America. The Scarlet Letter” when he is describing Hester (Lawrence). This stresses each word he has chosen to describe her. His short syntax acts as short, quick jabs on Hester’s morality and purity as each one by one lower her …show more content…
He describes her as “Mrs. Hercules” which alludes to Hercules’ characteristics (Lawrence). Hercules was a demigod that was not above cheating or using unfair tricks to his own advantage. This is much like Hester in the eyes of Lawrence as he believes her to be a sinner, corrupting men to her own advantage. Alluding to a well Roman god, it gives the audience a deeper insight on what kind of person Hester really is. After addressing the book itself as a satire he states “not Bumppo, however” (Lawrence). This alludes to a story where a woman, similar to Hester, tries to trap a man. However, this man does not fall for these tricks. This is an attack on Hawthorne's perspective on the story as Lawrence believes that this story did not have to be written this way. The man did not have to fall just because a woman “tickled him in the right place” (Lawrence). Making references to well know stories provides him with a powerful example of a better way to tell this story as it will be easily recognized by the
Lawrence’s use of mocking diction effectively supports his disapproval of Hester Prynne. He addresses Hester as “a demon” and also as “the great nemesis of woman” (Lawrence). The diction that he chose to incorporate in his writing shows his opinion of Hawthorne is harsh as he uses …show more content…
For instance he claims that when Hester commits adultery she had “tickled him in the right place, and he fell. Flop. Flop goes spiritual love.” (Lawrence). Using brief syntax such as this, draws the reader’s eye towards these statements. It provides emphasis to these remarks of disapproval of Hester’s corruption of an innocent and pure man emphasis. Since each point is emphasized, they almost act like bullets since each phrase attacks at Hester’s innocence. Lawrence uses many choppy sentences such as “Adulteress. Alpha. Abel. Adam. A. America. The Scarlet Letter” when he is describing Hester (Lawrence). This stresses each word he has chosen to describe her. His short syntax acts as short, quick jabs on Hester’s morality and purity as each one by one lower her …show more content…
He describes her as “Mrs. Hercules” which alludes to Hercules’ characteristics (Lawrence). Hercules was a demigod that was not above cheating or using unfair tricks to his own advantage. This is much like Hester in the eyes of Lawrence as he believes her to be a sinner, corrupting men to her own advantage. Alluding to a well Roman god, it gives the audience a deeper insight on what kind of person Hester really is. After addressing the book itself as a satire he states “not Bumppo, however” (Lawrence). This alludes to a story where a woman, similar to Hester, tries to trap a man. However, this man does not fall for these tricks. This is an attack on Hawthorne's perspective on the story as Lawrence believes that this story did not have to be written this way. The man did not have to fall just because a woman “tickled him in the right place” (Lawrence). Making references to well know stories provides him with a powerful example of a better way to tell this story as it will be easily recognized by the