Feminism In The Scarlet Letter

Hester’s Strengths as a Feminist Protagonist in The Scarlet Letter Feminism is the philosophy advocating equal political, economic, and social rights for women. The idea of feminism was not at all prevalent during the 1850s when Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter was published. In spite of this, Hawthorne wrote one of the most influential feminist novels of his time: The Scarlet Letter. This novel was hailed as an important feminist novel because of the main character: Hester Prynne. Hester Prynne is the very embodiment of feminism because of her refusal to adhere to the societal norms, her independence socially and in thought, and how the view of what the society thinks of her changes through the novel. One of the main reasons why
One of the prime examples of Hester’s independence in thought is shown in the affair between Hester and Mr. Dimmesdale. In the Puritan society in which Hester lives, it is society’s standard for women to stay in union with their husband no matter if they have problems or temptations. Despite this, Hester goes against society and does what she thinks is right and falls for Mr. Dimmesdale. Fully knowing the penalty and possible outcomes, Hester does what she believes is right and disregards the societal expectations to be with Mr. Dimmesdale. Hester’s love for Mr. Dimmesdale is pure and doesn’t come from lust or greed. This is reflected through the love Hester has for her daughter, Pearl. Hester shows her great love for Pearl when she is defending her right to be Pearl’s guardian. Hawthorne writes, ““God gave her into my keeping,” repeated Hester Prynne, raising her voice almost to a shriek. “I will not give her up!”” (101) In this scene, Hester is showing how she truly loves Pearl unconditionally. Hester’s love for Dimmesdale and her love for Pearl show her independent thinking. Another reason why Hester is socially independent is her financial autonomy. After she is shunned from the community and is forced to wear the scarlet letter, Hester is able to provide for her and Pearl by being a seamstress; she
In the beginning of the novel, Hester’s community, specifically the goodwives, discuss how they are angry with Hester’s punishment because they think it is not severe enough. One of the goodwives says, “I’ll tell ye a piece of my mind. It would be greatly for the public behoof, if we women, being of mature age and church-members in good repute, should have the handling of such malefactresses as this Hester Prynne. What think ye, gossips? If the hussy stood up for judgment before us five, that are now here in a knot together, would she come off with such a sentence as the worshipful magistrates have awarded? Marry, I trow not!” (46) This quote shows the community’s resentment of Hester near the beginning of the novel. However, later in the book, it is revealed that as the years have gone by, Hester gained much respect and love through the community because of her hard work and her charity services. Her symbol, the scarlet letter, has also changed in meaning over time. Now, it is not a symbol of sin and isolation, but instead a symbol of Hester’s strength and kindness. Hawthorne says, “Such helpfulness was found in her,--so much power to do, and power to sympathize,--that many people refused to interpret the scarlet A by its original signification. They say that it meant Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a