Scarlet Letter Patriarchy

Scarlet Letter Short Essay Adrienne Rich, a feminist poet and critic, wrote the essay “When We Dead Awaken: Writing as Re-Vision,” to identify and admonish gender norms in her society. Rich considers that “the argument will go on whether an oppressive economic class system is responsible for the oppressive nature of male/female relations, or whether, in fact, patriarchy... is the original model of oppression on which all others are based.” She comments on the origin of gender roles, wondering whether class systems or patriarchy influenced it more. Evidence supporting her claims can be found in the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne through the experiences of the main character Hester Prynne, who commits adultery and is ostracized
from her theocratic society. Her experiences support Rich’s claim for they both feature a theocratic government and a male-dominated social system, both of which solidify gender roles.
Rich’s quote mentions an “oppressive economic class system,” which, in Hester’s case, represents the Boston theocracy. When the town first learned of Hester’s sin of adultery, they immediately condemned her; One woman even proposed that , “this woman [Hester] has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die” (Hawthorne 36). In other governments, such as modern America, a harsh punishment would not be suggested for adultery as leaders would not dwell as much on something that does little harm to others. This shows how the religious society set gender roles. A woman in Boston who committed adultery risked death and shame because of her crime. Instead of being put to death, Hester’s punishment was standing on the scaffold, where she had to stand with her scarlet letter in shame (Hawthorne 38). She was to wear the scarlet letter for
the rest of her life, to degrade her for her actions. This demonstrates how the theocratic society publically shamed those who had broken rules. Later in the novel, the authorities threaten her with the removal of her daughter Pearl. The governor told her that “the point hath been weightily discussed, whether [they], that are of authority and influence, do well discharge [their] consciences by trusting an immortal soul, such as there is in yonder child, to the guidance of one who hath stumbled and fallen” (Hawthorne 74). The governor and the clergymen had considered how Hester would influence her child, and had deemed Hester incapable of caring for Pearl. The authorities had the power to separate her and her child. This is significant because it shows how the theocratic society solidified the inferiority of women. Hester could do nothing if the authorities decided to separate her and Pearl for what they thought was the greater good. Patriarchy worked to oppress Hester in different ways involving Chillingworth (her old husband) and Dimmesdale (the father of her child).
When Chillingworth and Hester discuss her adultery, he threatens her, telling her “recognize me not...breathe not the secret... to the man thou wottest of...his fame, his position, his life will be in my hands. Beware!” (Hawthorne 53). He does not want her to tell anyone that he is the husband she cheated on, for fear of shame, so he warns Hester not to tell anyone at the risk of Dimmesdale’s position. Hester, caring for her lover, is therefore unable to inform him of who Chillingworth really is. Later in the book, when Pearl was almost taken from her, she cried to Dimmesdale, “thou wast my pastor, and hadst charge of my soul, and knowest me better than these men can... speak for me!” (Hawthorne 77). Dimmesdale has power over her in this situation, because he can use his cleric influence and intimacy with Hester to defend her better than she could herself. This is significant because it demonstrates how the patriarchy, which includes Dimmesdale and other authorities, welded more power and influence than women
did. Instances in the novel The Scarlet Letter give evidence for Adrienne Rich’s comment that questioned which figure influences gender roles more. Hester Prynne was oppressed by both Boston’s theocracy and the patriarchy around her. Interactions between the townspeople, Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth prove Rich’s point.