Response To 'Footsteps Of Ann Hutchinson: The Context Of The Scarlet Letter'
Essay 1
Title:
Essay 1: A Critical Response to “Footsteps of Ann Hutchinson: The context of the Scarlet Letter”.
Name:
Heather Kempe
Address:
562 Keefer Court
Cambridge, ON
N3H 4X6
Course:
English 344: American Literature I
Instructor:
Prof. Jolene Armstrong
Assignment:
Summary
Date:
January 25, 2013
Topic:
Suggestions for Writing, Lesson 3
Contents:
Body of paper page 1
Works cited page 2
In the essay “Footsteps of Ann Hutchinson: The Context of the Scarlet Letter” Michael J. Colacurcio discusses a likeness between Anne Hutchinson and Hester Prynne; however, due to imprecise language choices, the impact of Colacurcio’s message is weakened.
Colacurcio argues that the …show more content…
figures of Ann and Hester have “careers as nurses and counsellors to other women” (Colacurcio, 462) which is an inaccurate portrait of the role of these women in their society, a more appropriate terminology for both women’s career choice would be a teacher. The difference between the definition of counsellor and teacher should be of note for the former advises, suggests or influences behaviour whereas the latter properly instructs behaviour and ensures comprehension of lessons to be learnt to specific individuals. This difference is of utmost relevance as it implies the intent of action or behaviour thereby indicating whether the action was intentional or not. Both women have deliberately chosen to become teachers to specific audiences.
Anne used the forum of being a nurse and midwife to present her ideas to the lesser educated women of the times on her views of religion and government. The legacy that Anne has left behind is one of a teacher who intentionally used her forum to teach women of the erroneous ways of the church by starting ‘a woman 's club which would congregate in her home to discuss the Scriptures, pray and review sermons’ (www.annehutchinson.com). Anne purposely created a forum to ‘voice her opinions, which generated a fair amount or interest amongst both the men and women of the community, who would come in greater numbers each week to hear her speak’ (www.annehutchinson.com).
Although the intention is perhaps the same between the two women, the intended audience is vastly different. Hester makes no attempt to vocalize her beliefs or intentions to other women within her society and specifically shy’s away from unsolicited conversations with townspeople. Hester exclusively directs her lessons towards herself and her daughter. Hester does not consider herself a counsellor but actually a teacher to Pearl where Hester ‘can teach my little Pearl what I have learned from this” (Hawthorne, 75). Hawthorne details a full conversation on the topic of Hester being a teacher to Pearl and it is Hester’s intention to transfer the lessons learnt by her to her daughter. Furthermore, Hester specifies the desire of these lessons to the magistrates by stating ‘this badge hath taught me--it daily teaches me--it is teaching me at this moment--lessons whereof my child may be the wiser and better, albeit they can profit nothing to myself’ (Hawthorne, 75).
Colacurcio’s suggestion that these two women act as counsellors within their respective societies degrades the efforts that both women have made towards their beliefs. If it is accepted that counselling is the suggestion of information and that teaching is the instruction for purpose of comprehension of specific material, then a clear distinction between the two terms is the intent. Anne’s continuance to create groups for the purpose of learning and Hester’s desire to teach Pearl the errors of her ways provide proof that Colacurcio’s descriptions of these women do not do justice to their respective goals. Although both counselling and teaching be noble vocations, in a society where women were already prosecuted for being too bold amongst men, the persecution these women received as a result of their actions ought to be have their efforts be adequately recognized. It is clear that Colacurcio’s description of these women’s vocations is insufficient.
In his essay Colacurcio suggests that Hester has ‘fallen afoul of a theocratic and male-dominated society’ (Colacurcio, 461) which completely counters one of the plots within the novel by Hawthorne.
The storyline of The Scarlet Letter revolves around the concept that, although society makes every attempt to devastate Hester Prynne, she does not allow herself to be compromised by the thoughts or actions of men or society. The most obvious display of her not being compromised by the actions of the men in this society is during her first appearance after being charged and released from prison. Upon her exit, Hawthorne describes Hester as ‘a figure of perfect elegance on a large scale’ (Hawthorne, 40) who was ‘ladylike, too, after the manner of the feminine gentility of those days; characterised by a certain state and dignity’ (Hawthorne, 40). These are not the character traits of someone who has been compromised or dominated by anyone, rather this is a description of someone who has much pride in themselves and is not willing to be subdued by the thoughts and actions of others. Although it may be the intent of the males in the court system to dominate and humiliate her, Hester’s appearance and deportment did not reflect any adverse consequence from her trials and it is noted that ‘never had Hester Prynne appeared more ladylike’ (Hawthorne, 40). It is unknown if this is Hester’s typical demeanor or if her stature has been further developed by the trials and tribulations of her recent events; however, the portrait of the women that Hawthorne depicts walking out of the prison is not one who is easily dominated by
anyone.
Although the concept of the use of ‘free will’ is clearly drawn throughout the novel, it is extremely apparent when Hester first exits the prison and she repels the touch of Reverend Dimmesdale and with an “action marked with natural dignity and force of character,… stepped into the open air as if by her own free will” (Hawthorne, 40). The use of the term “free will” by Hawthorne clearly indicates that the author himself does not intend for her to be dominated. Colacurcio writes of Hester’s return to Boston and uses the term free will to describe Hester’s ‘internalized acceptance of its appropriateness” (Colacurcio, 467); however, Hester uses the return to Boston to free herself from the bonds that the Bostonian society has imposed upon her. If Hester uses free will to make her choice to return to this town, that alone can be a representation that she is not subdued or dominated by anyone.
In subsequent chapters of the book, Hawthorne further illustrates that Hester is not easily restrained by society in depicting that the scarlet letter itself has brought Hester strength. During the conversation between Dimmesdale and Hester in the woods seven years after her trail, Dimmesdale points out that “Despair, Solitude! These had been her teachers--stern and wild ones--and they had made her strong” (Hawthorne, 128). If Hawthorne himself portrays Hester as a strong woman after all the ordeals that society has thrust upon her, then it would appear as though Colacurcio has inaccurately portrayed Hester as a woman who has been dominated by men.
"God gave me the child!" cried she. "He gave her in requital of all things else which ye had taken from me. She is my happiness--she is my torture, none the less! Pearl keeps me here in life! Pearl punishes me, too! See ye not, she is the scarlet letter, only capable of being loved, and so endowed with a millionfold the power of retribution for my sin? Ye shall not take her! I will die first!"
In the essay “Footsteps of Ann Hutchinson: The Context of the Scarlet Letter” Michael J. Colacurcio discusses many relevant points about the comparisons between Hester Prynne and Anne Hutchinson (ex., Dimmesdale and Cotton association); however, it would appear Colacurcio makes certain poor choices in terminology in his comparisons. In order to further the points that Colacurcio wishes to make in his essay, it would have been received better if more accurate language choices were made.
Works Cited
The Scarlet Letter and Other Writings: Authoritative Texts, Contexts, Criticism. Ed. Leland S. Person. Norton Critical Edition. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2005
Colacurcio, Michael J. “Footsteps of Ann Hutchinson: The Context of The Scarlet Letter.” 304-31.
Anne Hutchinson.
"Anne Hutchinson." N.p., 07 10 2003. Web. 24 Jan 2013. <www.annehutchinson.com>.
Hearne, Joshua. "Telling Stories that Matter." Anne Hutchinson, Teacher, Dissident. N.p., 22 08 2010. Web. 24 Jan 2013. <www.ttstm.com/2010/08/august-22-anne-hutchinson-teacher.html>.
Title:
Essay 1: A Critical Response to “Footsteps of Ann Hutchinson: The context of the Scarlet Letter”.
Name:
Heather Kempe
Address:
562 Keefer Court
Cambridge, ON
N3H 4X6
Course:
English 344: American Literature I
Instructor:
Prof. Jolene Armstrong
Assignment:
Summary
Date:
January 25, 2013
Topic:
Suggestions for Writing, Lesson 3
Contents:
Body of paper page 1
Works cited page 2
In the essay “Footsteps of Ann Hutchinson: The Context of the Scarlet Letter” Michael J. Colacurcio discusses a likeness between Anne Hutchinson and Hester Prynne; however, due to imprecise language choices, the impact of Colacurcio’s message is weakened.
Colacurcio argues that the …show more content…
figures of Ann and Hester have “careers as nurses and counsellors to other women” (Colacurcio, 462) which is an inaccurate portrait of the role of these women in their society, a more appropriate terminology for both women’s career choice would be a teacher. The difference between the definition of counsellor and teacher should be of note for the former advises, suggests or influences behaviour whereas the latter properly instructs behaviour and ensures comprehension of lessons to be learnt to specific individuals. This difference is of utmost relevance as it implies the intent of action or behaviour thereby indicating whether the action was intentional or not. Both women have deliberately chosen to become teachers to specific audiences.
Anne used the forum of being a nurse and midwife to present her ideas to the lesser educated women of the times on her views of religion and government. The legacy that Anne has left behind is one of a teacher who intentionally used her forum to teach women of the erroneous ways of the church by starting ‘a woman 's club which would congregate in her home to discuss the Scriptures, pray and review sermons’ (www.annehutchinson.com). Anne purposely created a forum to ‘voice her opinions, which generated a fair amount or interest amongst both the men and women of the community, who would come in greater numbers each week to hear her speak’ (www.annehutchinson.com).
Although the intention is perhaps the same between the two women, the intended audience is vastly different. Hester makes no attempt to vocalize her beliefs or intentions to other women within her society and specifically shy’s away from unsolicited conversations with townspeople. Hester exclusively directs her lessons towards herself and her daughter. Hester does not consider herself a counsellor but actually a teacher to Pearl where Hester ‘can teach my little Pearl what I have learned from this” (Hawthorne, 75). Hawthorne details a full conversation on the topic of Hester being a teacher to Pearl and it is Hester’s intention to transfer the lessons learnt by her to her daughter. Furthermore, Hester specifies the desire of these lessons to the magistrates by stating ‘this badge hath taught me--it daily teaches me--it is teaching me at this moment--lessons whereof my child may be the wiser and better, albeit they can profit nothing to myself’ (Hawthorne, 75).
Colacurcio’s suggestion that these two women act as counsellors within their respective societies degrades the efforts that both women have made towards their beliefs. If it is accepted that counselling is the suggestion of information and that teaching is the instruction for purpose of comprehension of specific material, then a clear distinction between the two terms is the intent. Anne’s continuance to create groups for the purpose of learning and Hester’s desire to teach Pearl the errors of her ways provide proof that Colacurcio’s descriptions of these women do not do justice to their respective goals. Although both counselling and teaching be noble vocations, in a society where women were already prosecuted for being too bold amongst men, the persecution these women received as a result of their actions ought to be have their efforts be adequately recognized. It is clear that Colacurcio’s description of these women’s vocations is insufficient.
In his essay Colacurcio suggests that Hester has ‘fallen afoul of a theocratic and male-dominated society’ (Colacurcio, 461) which completely counters one of the plots within the novel by Hawthorne.
The storyline of The Scarlet Letter revolves around the concept that, although society makes every attempt to devastate Hester Prynne, she does not allow herself to be compromised by the thoughts or actions of men or society. The most obvious display of her not being compromised by the actions of the men in this society is during her first appearance after being charged and released from prison. Upon her exit, Hawthorne describes Hester as ‘a figure of perfect elegance on a large scale’ (Hawthorne, 40) who was ‘ladylike, too, after the manner of the feminine gentility of those days; characterised by a certain state and dignity’ (Hawthorne, 40). These are not the character traits of someone who has been compromised or dominated by anyone, rather this is a description of someone who has much pride in themselves and is not willing to be subdued by the thoughts and actions of others. Although it may be the intent of the males in the court system to dominate and humiliate her, Hester’s appearance and deportment did not reflect any adverse consequence from her trials and it is noted that ‘never had Hester Prynne appeared more ladylike’ (Hawthorne, 40). It is unknown if this is Hester’s typical demeanor or if her stature has been further developed by the trials and tribulations of her recent events; however, the portrait of the women that Hawthorne depicts walking out of the prison is not one who is easily dominated by
anyone.
Although the concept of the use of ‘free will’ is clearly drawn throughout the novel, it is extremely apparent when Hester first exits the prison and she repels the touch of Reverend Dimmesdale and with an “action marked with natural dignity and force of character,… stepped into the open air as if by her own free will” (Hawthorne, 40). The use of the term “free will” by Hawthorne clearly indicates that the author himself does not intend for her to be dominated. Colacurcio writes of Hester’s return to Boston and uses the term free will to describe Hester’s ‘internalized acceptance of its appropriateness” (Colacurcio, 467); however, Hester uses the return to Boston to free herself from the bonds that the Bostonian society has imposed upon her. If Hester uses free will to make her choice to return to this town, that alone can be a representation that she is not subdued or dominated by anyone.
In subsequent chapters of the book, Hawthorne further illustrates that Hester is not easily restrained by society in depicting that the scarlet letter itself has brought Hester strength. During the conversation between Dimmesdale and Hester in the woods seven years after her trail, Dimmesdale points out that “Despair, Solitude! These had been her teachers--stern and wild ones--and they had made her strong” (Hawthorne, 128). If Hawthorne himself portrays Hester as a strong woman after all the ordeals that society has thrust upon her, then it would appear as though Colacurcio has inaccurately portrayed Hester as a woman who has been dominated by men.
"God gave me the child!" cried she. "He gave her in requital of all things else which ye had taken from me. She is my happiness--she is my torture, none the less! Pearl keeps me here in life! Pearl punishes me, too! See ye not, she is the scarlet letter, only capable of being loved, and so endowed with a millionfold the power of retribution for my sin? Ye shall not take her! I will die first!"
In the essay “Footsteps of Ann Hutchinson: The Context of the Scarlet Letter” Michael J. Colacurcio discusses many relevant points about the comparisons between Hester Prynne and Anne Hutchinson (ex., Dimmesdale and Cotton association); however, it would appear Colacurcio makes certain poor choices in terminology in his comparisons. In order to further the points that Colacurcio wishes to make in his essay, it would have been received better if more accurate language choices were made.
Works Cited
The Scarlet Letter and Other Writings: Authoritative Texts, Contexts, Criticism. Ed. Leland S. Person. Norton Critical Edition. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2005
Colacurcio, Michael J. “Footsteps of Ann Hutchinson: The Context of The Scarlet Letter.” 304-31.
Anne Hutchinson.
"Anne Hutchinson." N.p., 07 10 2003. Web. 24 Jan 2013. <www.annehutchinson.com>.
Hearne, Joshua. "Telling Stories that Matter." Anne Hutchinson, Teacher, Dissident. N.p., 22 08 2010. Web. 24 Jan 2013. <www.ttstm.com/2010/08/august-22-anne-hutchinson-teacher.html>.