Jonathan Alessi 10/16/11 Period 4 Who Are You?: An analysis of identities in The Scarlet Letter Identity‚ what is it? Is it a name? Is it defined by what we do‚ where we work or how hard we play? Is identity categorized by a moment from our past or is it defined by the present? Is identity of a person only one definite thing or is it dependent upon the observer? According to Nathaniel Hawthorne identity is definite‚ unchangeable‚ and can be defined by one single moment in a person’s life
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Conflict in The Scarlet Letter Human nature‚ while impressively complex‚ also has various poor qualities. Often these imperfections result in conflicts which are in turn depicted in works of literature. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne‚ set in an old Puritan community‚ is centered on several conflicts of human nature that result from the adultery and punishment of Hester Prynne. There are three major conflicts each for which Hawthorne created a specific main character to illustrate:
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Chillingworth visits Hester during her brief incarceration‚ where he berates her for having crushed his dreams of finding acceptance and love ("My heart was a great mansion with room for many souls‚ but cold and empty and without a parlor fire; I longed to light one!"). While he makes it obvious he will not take revenge upon her or the baby‚ he demands to know the name of Hester’s lover. She refuses to tell him‚ but Chillingworth promises that he will find the man and destroy his soul. Chillingworth
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Throughout The Scarlet Letter‚ two prominent characters battle with how to react to societal views‚ and that ultimately changes ones outlook on life. Primarily‚ one can change the way that society views them by being strong or transversely by being weak and maleable. To begin‚ by remaining strong and trusting herself‚ society begins to evolve and view Hester in a new light. The book quotes‚ “The letter was the symbol of her calling. Such helpfulness was found in her-so much power to do and power
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Hester Prynne Quote: "On the breast of her gown‚ in fine red cloth‚ surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold-thread‚ appeared the letter A. It was so artistically done‚ and with so much fertility and gorgeous luxuriance of fancy‚ that it had all the effect of a last and fitting decoration to the apparel which she wore; and which was of a splendor in accordance with the taste of the age‚ but greatly beyond what was allowed by the sumptuary regulations of the colony
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Literature 9 April 2014 ‘The Scarlet Letter’ as a Tragedy The Scarlet Letter is a literature monument of the American Romantic era. The intensely tragic drama‚ written by Nathaniel Hawthorne‚ has been analyzed by American literature analysts and critics alike. The aim of this paper is to specifically highlight the tragedy it narrates. Tragedy‚ considered to be the highest poetic element by Aristotle‚ has elements and characteristics portrayed in the text of The Scarlet Letter‚ that the weave of the
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committing the unforgivable sin of adultery. For this irrevocably cruel sin‚ she must wear a symbol of shame and humiliation for the rest of her godforsaken life. The scarlet letter is an evaluation and study of the results of sin on the hearts‚ minds and souls of Hester‚ Pearl‚ Dimmesdale and Chillingworth. In every case the effect changes the character significantly. Once the characters have indulged themselves in sin and transgression some of them are unable to deal with the consequences. Sin corrupts
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The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne‚ in his novel The Scarlet Letter‚ argues that the role of shame in society is not what keeps the citizens of that society pure and is possibly the worst type of punishment. Hawthorne supports his argument by demonstrating his perspective on shame through the rhetorical strategy of enthymeme given the major premise‚ minor premise‚ and conclusion. The author’s purpose is to persuade his audience that salvation can only be earned by being open about and true
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In Nathaniel Hawthrone’s novel‚ The Scarlet Letter‚ both main protagonists‚ Hester and Dimmesdale‚ present behaviors which do not correlate with what they feel inside. According to Psychoanalytic ideology‚ "[the study] to bring patients’ repressed memories and wishes to the surface"(Psychoanalysis)‚ Hester and Dimmesdale are repressing their real emotions and projections ones that they are not feeling. In the beginning of the novel‚"When the young woman- them other of this child- stood fully revealed
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it is someone like the Puritans in the Scarlet Letter who believes that life should be lived in a strict manner‚ or whether it is someone who cannot stand a uniform life‚ there will be never a time when everyone accepts or denies this quote. People feel safe and confident when they are given standards or expectations. This gives them reassurance that they are living their lives the right way. For an example‚ in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel‚ The Scarlet Letter‚ the townspeople look down upon Hester
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