The Consumption of Identity
The Scarlet Letter is a novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in the Romantic Era of American Literature. Throughout this iconic novel the reader profoundly follows the life of Hester Prynne, a woman who bears a Scarlet Letter upon her bosom, while simultaneously bearing the label of “adulteress” upon her soul. This book also encompasses the severe impact of Hester’s adultery upon the Puritan community surrounding her. In many cases, labels are given to people by the public and these titles consume and overtake the identities of their bearers, in The Scarlet Letter and elsewhere. Even in modern society, people labeled as “sluts” have their entire lives consumed by this title.. At the same time, regardless of the community …show more content…
This is evident in the quote, “The letter was the symbol of her calling. Such helpfulness was found in her, —so much power to do, and power to sympathize, —that many people refused to interpret the scarlet A by its original signification. They said that it meant Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman 's strength” (149). This quote shows a stark contrast from the beginning of the book in which the Scarlet Letter upon Hester’s bosom solely symbolized shame. Due to this symbolization she was displaced from the community and excluded. Hester was able to use this seclusion as a motivation to cultivate this “helpfulness” as she was finally able to sympathize with the town’s poor, herself having been ostracized. Throughout this increased motivation to help the less fortunate, Hester is able to take control of her own life and transform the connotations of the Scarlet Letter to a symbolization of her independence and ability as a woman. Even the community that once belittled Hester was undeniably alert of the change in Hester as “they refused to interpret the scarlet A by its original signification” of adultery after witnessing her actions. Although it is undeniable that the Scarlet Letter still consumed the life of Hester, it no longer haunted her, but motivated her. The Scarlet Letter even …show more content…
This is visible in the quote referencing the rosebush outside the jailhouse, "It may serve, let us hope, to symbolize some sweet moral blossom that may be found along the track, or relieve the darkening close of a tale of human frailty and sorrow" (46). Hawthorne juxtaposes “tale of human frailty” and “sweet moral blossom” to display that even from the worst conditions, a favorable outcome can manifest. When speaking of a “tale of human frailty and sorrow” it is quite apparent that Hawthorne is speaking directly of the story of Hester’s life, as the Puritan townspeople view her actions as a representation of frail human nature (). This makes the assertion that a “sweet moral blossom” can grow along this track ever more powerful as it asserts something “sweet” or even “moral” may arise in Hester’s life. This strong rosebush, if able to “blossom” at the iron-spiked door of this bleak jail must show that Hester, also clad in a deep red may have the opportunity to not only grow in the society that had condemned her, but may even thrive in this society. A “blossom” does not refer to a plant that is sustainable, but a plant that is flourishing, in a way that Hawthorne suggests Hester may flourish. The word “moral” is also ironic due to the sins committed by Hester but may actually foreshadow her moral actions later in the novel as she uses
The Scarlet Letter is a novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in the Romantic Era of American Literature. Throughout this iconic novel the reader profoundly follows the life of Hester Prynne, a woman who bears a Scarlet Letter upon her bosom, while simultaneously bearing the label of “adulteress” upon her soul. This book also encompasses the severe impact of Hester’s adultery upon the Puritan community surrounding her. In many cases, labels are given to people by the public and these titles consume and overtake the identities of their bearers, in The Scarlet Letter and elsewhere. Even in modern society, people labeled as “sluts” have their entire lives consumed by this title.. At the same time, regardless of the community …show more content…
This is evident in the quote, “The letter was the symbol of her calling. Such helpfulness was found in her, —so much power to do, and power to sympathize, —that many people refused to interpret the scarlet A by its original signification. They said that it meant Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman 's strength” (149). This quote shows a stark contrast from the beginning of the book in which the Scarlet Letter upon Hester’s bosom solely symbolized shame. Due to this symbolization she was displaced from the community and excluded. Hester was able to use this seclusion as a motivation to cultivate this “helpfulness” as she was finally able to sympathize with the town’s poor, herself having been ostracized. Throughout this increased motivation to help the less fortunate, Hester is able to take control of her own life and transform the connotations of the Scarlet Letter to a symbolization of her independence and ability as a woman. Even the community that once belittled Hester was undeniably alert of the change in Hester as “they refused to interpret the scarlet A by its original signification” of adultery after witnessing her actions. Although it is undeniable that the Scarlet Letter still consumed the life of Hester, it no longer haunted her, but motivated her. The Scarlet Letter even …show more content…
This is visible in the quote referencing the rosebush outside the jailhouse, "It may serve, let us hope, to symbolize some sweet moral blossom that may be found along the track, or relieve the darkening close of a tale of human frailty and sorrow" (46). Hawthorne juxtaposes “tale of human frailty” and “sweet moral blossom” to display that even from the worst conditions, a favorable outcome can manifest. When speaking of a “tale of human frailty and sorrow” it is quite apparent that Hawthorne is speaking directly of the story of Hester’s life, as the Puritan townspeople view her actions as a representation of frail human nature (). This makes the assertion that a “sweet moral blossom” can grow along this track ever more powerful as it asserts something “sweet” or even “moral” may arise in Hester’s life. This strong rosebush, if able to “blossom” at the iron-spiked door of this bleak jail must show that Hester, also clad in a deep red may have the opportunity to not only grow in the society that had condemned her, but may even thrive in this society. A “blossom” does not refer to a plant that is sustainable, but a plant that is flourishing, in a way that Hawthorne suggests Hester may flourish. The word “moral” is also ironic due to the sins committed by Hester but may actually foreshadow her moral actions later in the novel as she uses