Essay On The Scarlet Letter Vs Easy A

The Scarlet Letter and Easy A share a number of similarities and differences in story line, where a female protagonist makes poor choices, according to society, and have to deal with the consequences. The two women are forcibly shunned because of their behaviors, and are disliked, even hated, by their peers. They suggest that a woman’s promiscuity is closed tied to how she is seen by her community and she is constantly being judged, based on gender assumptions created by societal ‘rules’ or norms. Although The Scarlet Letter reflects Puritan values which suggest that a woman’s sexuality defines her morality and place, meaning how she is viewed, within society, Easy A actually adapts the classic novel into a modern version, by presenting similar ideologies of promiscuity altered to reflect today’s double standard, suggesting that these ideals have not really changed,
So one is left asking about the women who also experience this shame and judgment because of their lost sanctity; is Olive’s purity forcing viewers to sympathize with her more because of this? Whatever the case, both works share similar ideologies and suggest that a woman’s place in her society and how people see her is liked to her sexuality, social standing, and moral beliefs. Although we do not place as much pressure on women as in Puritanical society, we’re still guilty of placing judgment and shame on others through slut shaming. Easy A is clearly an adaptation of The Scarlet Letter, geared to a younger, newer demographic, and the references to the novel suggest that these virtues have not changed as much as we think; it is a retelling reflecting the hypocrisy of sexuality between men and women. Women are thus placed on a pedestal and required to subdue themselves to proper conduct established by religious, cultural, and societal norms and