Hester Prynne's Treatment Of Women In Scarlet Letter
The protagonist of The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne, struggles with the perceptions placed upon her by the society of Boston. Although Hester initially rebels openly, she is not egotistical like Abigail and she eventually abandons overt rebellion for peace of mind and understanding of the self. While it is true that her affair with another man constitutes a sin, she remains a woman of virtue. In the puritan society, relationships are not supposed to be broken unless by divorce, even if the husband is at the bottom of the sea where Hester’s husband is believed to be. Hester breaks away from her husband whom she did not love and falls in love with the reverend, Arthur Dimmesdale. She dares to pursue her freedom of being in love. In the article,
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As a result of this letter, the town’s people look down on her, and think of her as a wretched, and arrogant woman. The people believe that the magistrates were too merciful on her, and think that, a woman as wicked and scandalous as her should suffer a more severe punishment than the one enforced on her. The gossiping women of the town claim that Hester has brought shame upon them all, and ought to die. Hester is constantly under the negative view of the public eye. When she emerges from the prison, Hester “repelled [the beadle], by an action marked with natural dignity and force of character,” and even standing before the entire town carries “yet a haughty smile, and a glance that would not be abashed” (Hawthorne 80). According to Puritan society, her sin and the product of it (Pearl) are objects of shame that must result in humility: “Behold, verify, there is the woman of the scarlet letter, and of a truth, moreover, there is the likeness of the scarlet letter running along by her side! Come, therefore, and let us fling mud at them!” (Hawthorne 53). Even though Hester personally believes that she did nothing wrong, she has the civility and the courage to accept her punishment with her head held high. She arrives in splendor and grandeur, shocking the spectators with her self-assurance and boldness. Such an introduction to her hints that she has no intention of obeying the
As a result of this letter, the town’s people look down on her, and think of her as a wretched, and arrogant woman. The people believe that the magistrates were too merciful on her, and think that, a woman as wicked and scandalous as her should suffer a more severe punishment than the one enforced on her. The gossiping women of the town claim that Hester has brought shame upon them all, and ought to die. Hester is constantly under the negative view of the public eye. When she emerges from the prison, Hester “repelled [the beadle], by an action marked with natural dignity and force of character,” and even standing before the entire town carries “yet a haughty smile, and a glance that would not be abashed” (Hawthorne 80). According to Puritan society, her sin and the product of it (Pearl) are objects of shame that must result in humility: “Behold, verify, there is the woman of the scarlet letter, and of a truth, moreover, there is the likeness of the scarlet letter running along by her side! Come, therefore, and let us fling mud at them!” (Hawthorne 53). Even though Hester personally believes that she did nothing wrong, she has the civility and the courage to accept her punishment with her head held high. She arrives in splendor and grandeur, shocking the spectators with her self-assurance and boldness. Such an introduction to her hints that she has no intention of obeying the