Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter has received a variety of reviews over it's existence. Most of these reviews, criticizing the main character Hester Prynne.One critic, Mark Van Doren’s use of literary devices to great effect to describe Prynne. These include praising diction, an enduring tone, and heroic allusion help him illustrate Hester Prynne as as strong, rugged woman.
Van Doren’s use of praising diction helps the reader envision the likes of Hester Prynne, a character who develops throughout the length of the novel. And later becomes a beacon of hope for her perseverance. Van Doren writes of how Hester's "...passion and beauty dominate every person and color each event.” (Van Doren). This diction helps show us the effect of Hester in many scenes of the book. Even though there are many distinct characters such as Dimmesdale or Pearl, Hester always captivates each scene, whether with her personality, or especially her beauty, which was a scene in the opening of the book. Despite her sin, “The life of Hester increases, not diminishes in the bleak world.” (Van Doren) Again this diction helps shows what kind of woman Hester is. One that despite her sin, her worst quality, can make it her biggest strength. The diction …show more content…
His use of praising diction, enduring tone, and heroic allusion all paint Hester Prynne as a triumphed character. He shows us that nobody knows oneself, until the look deep down. One event does to classify who you are forever, but rather your response to a serious impactful event. The person who is able to see this, can change their lives for the better, which we can see with Hester Prynne. This accumulates to Nathaniel Hawthorne's main point of The Scarlett Letter, to not let a single event defy you, but rather your response to a serious
Van Doren’s use of praising diction helps the reader envision the likes of Hester Prynne, a character who develops throughout the length of the novel. And later becomes a beacon of hope for her perseverance. Van Doren writes of how Hester's "...passion and beauty dominate every person and color each event.” (Van Doren). This diction helps show us the effect of Hester in many scenes of the book. Even though there are many distinct characters such as Dimmesdale or Pearl, Hester always captivates each scene, whether with her personality, or especially her beauty, which was a scene in the opening of the book. Despite her sin, “The life of Hester increases, not diminishes in the bleak world.” (Van Doren) Again this diction helps shows what kind of woman Hester is. One that despite her sin, her worst quality, can make it her biggest strength. The diction …show more content…
His use of praising diction, enduring tone, and heroic allusion all paint Hester Prynne as a triumphed character. He shows us that nobody knows oneself, until the look deep down. One event does to classify who you are forever, but rather your response to a serious impactful event. The person who is able to see this, can change their lives for the better, which we can see with Hester Prynne. This accumulates to Nathaniel Hawthorne's main point of The Scarlett Letter, to not let a single event defy you, but rather your response to a serious