Similarities Between Scarlet Letter And Huckleberry Finn

To defy a family, practice, or even a life style is an arduous challenge considering one’s willingness to give up their cultured protection from society and take responsibility as an individual. The strength in a person who believes that success comes from surviving the struggle of fighting the consequences that society imposes on defiance is prodigious. Not enough recognition is granted to those who risk their dignity exclusively for the freedom of personal choice and ability to live their life in the way in which they decide. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter and Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, characters Hester and Huckleberry Finn choose to defy their culture and upbringing in order for the betterment of their lives
Hester originates from the Puritan culture in which strong religious beliefs and lifestyle and appearance expectations are prominent. Her decision to disobey her society by committing adultery, with Arthur Dimmesdale, results in their disbelief in her dedication to the principles of her people. In that way it is clear that Hester defies her culture and is forced to assume the responsibilities of an individual as a result. Similarly, Huck grows up in an environment in which he is not able to choose his beliefs. His father, Pap, is not able to offer beneficial guidance to Huck, due to his alcohol addiction and twisted outlook on the ideal characteristics of a person. Pap’s opinion on the worthlessness of proper etiquette and his acceptance of an unkempt presence determines his lack of ability to guide and encourage Huck to live successfully. It is clear that both Hester and Huck disagree with what they have been cultured to believe by society and demonstrate an interest in a new independent way of living. Following their realization that the power to defy exists within them, and the idea of individual identities, “endowed [them] with a new sense,” Hester and Huck are able to believe in the possibilities of a potential, successful, future (Hawthorne 83). Following the accusation of her Puritan
People of the Massachusetts Bay Colony associate Hester’s wearing of the scarlet letter with shame and sin. At first, Hester is intimidated by their judgement of the symbol and is affected by their opinions due to their difference in treatment towards her because of its meaning. Huck’s capability to become the person he desires to be is underestimated by his father and also unapproved by his guardians, Miss Watson and Widow Douglas. Although he chooses to trust in his ability to live as an individual, the history of Huck’s father’s abusive treatment towards him will be remembered for as long as he lives, therefore, constantly, Huck will associate remorse with the idea of a family or a home. Despite their unfortunate treatments in society because of their actions that evidence their beliefs, it is apparent that, “shame [...makes them] strong, but [teaches them] much amiss” (Hawthorne 196). Due to his need for immediate distance from his unpleasant past, it is clear that Huck’s choice of individuality is impulsive and, eventually, guilt is the result of his defiance. Despite his maturity in the fact that he recognizes the lack of safety in a household with his father, Huck also presents the immature expectations of his thirteen year-old age by making impulsive decisions like that made