In D.H. Lawrence’s critique of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s protagonist in The Scarlet Letter, he expresses his distaste in how Hawthorne painted Hester Prynne throughout the novel. Rather than focusing on the potential consequences of sin, Lawrence focuses on the elements that comprise it and finds these facets in Hester Prynne. Lawrence employs abrupt syntax, mocking tone, and impactful allusions to express his antipathy towards Hester Prynne’s character.
Throughout his essay, Lawrence utilizes abrupt and choppy syntax to make his points more impactful and striking. The effect that his choice of syntax achieves is that it pierces through the reader like bullets. Compared to a long analysis of his opinion on Hester, the syntax Lawrence uses gets to the point with pithy. He also accompanies such brief syntax with a catalogue of alliterations that craft his argument purposefully so that the reader is forced to listen. Lawrence demonstrates this method of persuasion in describing Hester as, “Adulteress. Alpha. Abel. Adam. A. America” (Lawrence). All the …show more content…
His biblical allusions to both the pure Mary and the sinful Mary “Madalen[e]” serve to emphasize how Hester is an example of sin and wrongdoing. Lawrence purposefully references people his readers have a connection with to provide more meaning to his critique of Hester Prynne. His most powerful allusion is the ironic comparison of Hester who “lives on and is Abel” (Lawrence). Lawrence has previously established his disdain for Hawthorne’s inaccurate characterization of Hester as a victim. He claims that Hester is Abel to deliberately mock the falsehood of such a statement, which is exactly what Hawthorne did throughout the novel. Thus, Lawrence’s use of biblical allusion combines irony and nostalgia to merge the reader’s prior knowledge with his own
Throughout his essay, Lawrence utilizes abrupt and choppy syntax to make his points more impactful and striking. The effect that his choice of syntax achieves is that it pierces through the reader like bullets. Compared to a long analysis of his opinion on Hester, the syntax Lawrence uses gets to the point with pithy. He also accompanies such brief syntax with a catalogue of alliterations that craft his argument purposefully so that the reader is forced to listen. Lawrence demonstrates this method of persuasion in describing Hester as, “Adulteress. Alpha. Abel. Adam. A. America” (Lawrence). All the …show more content…
His biblical allusions to both the pure Mary and the sinful Mary “Madalen[e]” serve to emphasize how Hester is an example of sin and wrongdoing. Lawrence purposefully references people his readers have a connection with to provide more meaning to his critique of Hester Prynne. His most powerful allusion is the ironic comparison of Hester who “lives on and is Abel” (Lawrence). Lawrence has previously established his disdain for Hawthorne’s inaccurate characterization of Hester as a victim. He claims that Hester is Abel to deliberately mock the falsehood of such a statement, which is exactly what Hawthorne did throughout the novel. Thus, Lawrence’s use of biblical allusion combines irony and nostalgia to merge the reader’s prior knowledge with his own