A View of Oneself
People often rely on the opinions or actions of others to develop their own identity. They fail to realize that society should not be given the scepter of influence to rule over the kingdom of the mind. Individuals are either overwhelmed by even the slightest thought of rejection, or can overcome the obstacles that society may try to bring. Hawthorne uses the Scarlet Letter to show the results of the different routes that one takes to determine who they are, with some becoming consumed by the darkness of the world, and others embracing a new chapter in their lives. He develops the concept of identity through the mistakes and mishaps that the individual makes, while addressing the impression that one’s environment may leave …show more content…
After seven years of judgement and discrimination, the people of the Puritan town see Hester as a “Sister of Mercy,” with the “badge of shame” upon her breast serving as “the softer pillow for the head that needed one” (XIII, 133). The Puritans saw that the scarlet letter had served its purpose, guiding Hester along the strong and virtuous path. They think that by forcing her to wear the letter of ignominy and taking hold of her identity through the piercing glares and comments of the town, Hester would be forced to undergo a transformation that would bring her back to God. However, although her society thinks that they have tamed the sensual beast, Hester decides that she will gain the power to determine who she is. After she has been branded by the community as an adulterous slut, she surprisingly chooses to stay in the Massachusetts Bay Colony as a caregiver for the community, instead of escaping to Boston where she can begin a shameless life. She gives a calm response to Chillingworth when she hears that the government officials were considering to allow Hester to remove the scarlet letter, saying that “it lies not in the pleasure of the magistrates to take off this badge” (XIV, 139). Hester does not want society to tell her what she is, because the only one who has the right to judge her is God. She would eventually come back to the colony after …show more content…
Dimmesdale and Chillingworth had failed to see the true purpose of developing one’s own personal view of himself, and let the pressures of the world lead to the demise of their reputation. However, Hester had learned that a person’s identity comes from their inner thoughts and feelings, not the fear of rejection or the drive for revenge. By reevaluating herself, Hester was able to overcome the opinions of others, and use her body for good instead of evil. Hawthorne wanted his audience to understand that by escaping society, one can truly understand his or her purpose in
People often rely on the opinions or actions of others to develop their own identity. They fail to realize that society should not be given the scepter of influence to rule over the kingdom of the mind. Individuals are either overwhelmed by even the slightest thought of rejection, or can overcome the obstacles that society may try to bring. Hawthorne uses the Scarlet Letter to show the results of the different routes that one takes to determine who they are, with some becoming consumed by the darkness of the world, and others embracing a new chapter in their lives. He develops the concept of identity through the mistakes and mishaps that the individual makes, while addressing the impression that one’s environment may leave …show more content…
After seven years of judgement and discrimination, the people of the Puritan town see Hester as a “Sister of Mercy,” with the “badge of shame” upon her breast serving as “the softer pillow for the head that needed one” (XIII, 133). The Puritans saw that the scarlet letter had served its purpose, guiding Hester along the strong and virtuous path. They think that by forcing her to wear the letter of ignominy and taking hold of her identity through the piercing glares and comments of the town, Hester would be forced to undergo a transformation that would bring her back to God. However, although her society thinks that they have tamed the sensual beast, Hester decides that she will gain the power to determine who she is. After she has been branded by the community as an adulterous slut, she surprisingly chooses to stay in the Massachusetts Bay Colony as a caregiver for the community, instead of escaping to Boston where she can begin a shameless life. She gives a calm response to Chillingworth when she hears that the government officials were considering to allow Hester to remove the scarlet letter, saying that “it lies not in the pleasure of the magistrates to take off this badge” (XIV, 139). Hester does not want society to tell her what she is, because the only one who has the right to judge her is God. She would eventually come back to the colony after …show more content…
Dimmesdale and Chillingworth had failed to see the true purpose of developing one’s own personal view of himself, and let the pressures of the world lead to the demise of their reputation. However, Hester had learned that a person’s identity comes from their inner thoughts and feelings, not the fear of rejection or the drive for revenge. By reevaluating herself, Hester was able to overcome the opinions of others, and use her body for good instead of evil. Hawthorne wanted his audience to understand that by escaping society, one can truly understand his or her purpose in