Independence in Women: Rising above Patriarchal Societies
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment”. In social hierarchy, individuality is difficult to obtain. In a male dominated society, women struggle to attain some form of individuality or authority. In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne composes a classic novel about a strong female protagonist who overcomes judgment and embodies individuality. Similarly, in the short story “The Story of an Hour”, Kate Chopin creates a passionate female protagonist, who seeks liberation from oppression. In “The Story of An Hour”, a short story by Kate Chopin and The Scarlet Letter, a novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne, …show more content…
Hester seeks contentment but in the 1600’s puritans in the New World believed in a strict religious society, and as a result they “compressed whatever mirth and joy they deemed allowable to human infirmity” (Hawthorne 189). The puritans in The Scarlett Letter concentrate on the status of the community, rather than the individual happiness of a person. Puritans expect exceptional conduct and people who sinned “threatened not only their soul” but most importantly the “religious perfection in America” (Telgen). In the society, Hester is an adulteress that embodies all the sin and corruption bearable for women. Hester is degraded for her sexuality and for her role as a woman in an unrighteous situation. The puritans attempt to accomplish a religious ideal, but as they strive for religious perfection, they create an unattainable social standard that Hester refuses to conform too. Hester learns to neglect the puritan culture, and express her own liberating thoughts through her actions. In the religious setting of The Scarlet Letter, puritans prohibit any form of attractiveness, yet Hester takes pride in her beauty by taking off her “formal cap” and exposing her “sex, her youth, and the whole richness of her beauty” (Hawthorne 167). The motion of taking off the formal cap shows that Hester has overpowered the oppressive society and has formed her own …show more content…
The novel begins with Hester standing “ on the scaffold” as the puritan community gazes at the “letter A, in scarlet” (Hawthorne 15). Hawthorne introduces the novel by using the scarlet letter as a symbol to show Hester’s bravery and responsibility. By wearing the scarlet letter Hester constantly endures shame and guilt as she withstands the judgment of the society. Nevertheless, Hester redefines the meaning of the symbol by restoring her status in the community. Hawthorne modifies Hester’s role in society from a “convicted slattern” to a “village saint” because of her “humble contributions to the society” and her generosity (Snodgrass). The scarlet letter is finally perceived as positive, rather than rebellious. Unlike Hester, Dimmesdale never confesses to his sins, and therefore never receives punishment. In the novel, Hester and Dimmesdale witness “ the letter A- marked out in lines of dull red light” (Hawthorne 128). The meteor is a sign that Dimmesdale must finally confess his sins and take responsibility for his actions. Both the Scarlet Letter and the meteor describe the responsibility that Hester and Dimmesdale must take for their sin but in contrast to Hester, Dimmesdale does not have a constant physical reminder of his sin. The meteor is a rare citing, just
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment”. In social hierarchy, individuality is difficult to obtain. In a male dominated society, women struggle to attain some form of individuality or authority. In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne composes a classic novel about a strong female protagonist who overcomes judgment and embodies individuality. Similarly, in the short story “The Story of an Hour”, Kate Chopin creates a passionate female protagonist, who seeks liberation from oppression. In “The Story of An Hour”, a short story by Kate Chopin and The Scarlet Letter, a novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne, …show more content…
Hester seeks contentment but in the 1600’s puritans in the New World believed in a strict religious society, and as a result they “compressed whatever mirth and joy they deemed allowable to human infirmity” (Hawthorne 189). The puritans in The Scarlett Letter concentrate on the status of the community, rather than the individual happiness of a person. Puritans expect exceptional conduct and people who sinned “threatened not only their soul” but most importantly the “religious perfection in America” (Telgen). In the society, Hester is an adulteress that embodies all the sin and corruption bearable for women. Hester is degraded for her sexuality and for her role as a woman in an unrighteous situation. The puritans attempt to accomplish a religious ideal, but as they strive for religious perfection, they create an unattainable social standard that Hester refuses to conform too. Hester learns to neglect the puritan culture, and express her own liberating thoughts through her actions. In the religious setting of The Scarlet Letter, puritans prohibit any form of attractiveness, yet Hester takes pride in her beauty by taking off her “formal cap” and exposing her “sex, her youth, and the whole richness of her beauty” (Hawthorne 167). The motion of taking off the formal cap shows that Hester has overpowered the oppressive society and has formed her own …show more content…
The novel begins with Hester standing “ on the scaffold” as the puritan community gazes at the “letter A, in scarlet” (Hawthorne 15). Hawthorne introduces the novel by using the scarlet letter as a symbol to show Hester’s bravery and responsibility. By wearing the scarlet letter Hester constantly endures shame and guilt as she withstands the judgment of the society. Nevertheless, Hester redefines the meaning of the symbol by restoring her status in the community. Hawthorne modifies Hester’s role in society from a “convicted slattern” to a “village saint” because of her “humble contributions to the society” and her generosity (Snodgrass). The scarlet letter is finally perceived as positive, rather than rebellious. Unlike Hester, Dimmesdale never confesses to his sins, and therefore never receives punishment. In the novel, Hester and Dimmesdale witness “ the letter A- marked out in lines of dull red light” (Hawthorne 128). The meteor is a sign that Dimmesdale must finally confess his sins and take responsibility for his actions. Both the Scarlet Letter and the meteor describe the responsibility that Hester and Dimmesdale must take for their sin but in contrast to Hester, Dimmesdale does not have a constant physical reminder of his sin. The meteor is a rare citing, just