Analysis of Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter
Alex Benetos
AP Langauge
Scarlet Letter Analysis
Throughout the novel, The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel
Hawthorne uses figurative language in a way that allows him to discuss his views and interpretations of Puritan society. It is easily seen throughout the novel that Hawthorne disagreed greatly with the Puritan's views, as well as highlighting just how harsh and rigid they really were. Most of Hawthorne's points can be seen through his use of diction and symbolism. Hawthorne's use of diction throughout the novel was able to clearly show that he disagreed with the Puritans by using words that denounced them while simultaenously putting Hester Prynne, the adulteress, in a more benign light. For instance, when Hawthorne described Hester, he did it ina very eloquent way, pointing out he beauty and "perfect elegance". He never once pointed out a flaw of
Hester's, even saying that the baby in hand concealed her "A" portraying her in a much more innocent way. By covering the "A" with the baby itelf, it in a way shrouds the initial sin that Hester was even on the scaffold for, it merely looks like a mother cradling her baby. This was painting Hester in a much more positive light, which in turn made the community look like the big and bad antagonist who was punishing the
"beautiful" and "innocent" Hester. Another example of how Hawthorne viewed the society, which is a stark contrast to how Hester was described, was when he described the townspeople. Hawthorne uses diction such as "savages" and portrayed the community in a very archaic way. It was a far cry from when Hester was percieved as beautiful and elegant and quickly juxtaposed the town to her. The tables were turned and Hester became the innocent, misunderstood angel while the community became the overbearing, judgmental, unforgiving group. Through this, Hawthorne showed how he
favored
AP Langauge
Scarlet Letter Analysis
Throughout the novel, The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel
Hawthorne uses figurative language in a way that allows him to discuss his views and interpretations of Puritan society. It is easily seen throughout the novel that Hawthorne disagreed greatly with the Puritan's views, as well as highlighting just how harsh and rigid they really were. Most of Hawthorne's points can be seen through his use of diction and symbolism. Hawthorne's use of diction throughout the novel was able to clearly show that he disagreed with the Puritans by using words that denounced them while simultaenously putting Hester Prynne, the adulteress, in a more benign light. For instance, when Hawthorne described Hester, he did it ina very eloquent way, pointing out he beauty and "perfect elegance". He never once pointed out a flaw of
Hester's, even saying that the baby in hand concealed her "A" portraying her in a much more innocent way. By covering the "A" with the baby itelf, it in a way shrouds the initial sin that Hester was even on the scaffold for, it merely looks like a mother cradling her baby. This was painting Hester in a much more positive light, which in turn made the community look like the big and bad antagonist who was punishing the
"beautiful" and "innocent" Hester. Another example of how Hawthorne viewed the society, which is a stark contrast to how Hester was described, was when he described the townspeople. Hawthorne uses diction such as "savages" and portrayed the community in a very archaic way. It was a far cry from when Hester was percieved as beautiful and elegant and quickly juxtaposed the town to her. The tables were turned and Hester became the innocent, misunderstood angel while the community became the overbearing, judgmental, unforgiving group. Through this, Hawthorne showed how he
favored