When looking toward the past people too often seem to address major and general occurrences. However authors such as Nathaniel Hawthorne show history through a different‚ more palatable‚ perspective. By illustrating the life of a specific individual in the past Hawthorne has better related his characters and their times to the reader. One of the best ways of accomplishing that in the novel is through the use of symbolism. The forest‚ for instance‚ is vital to the book “The Scarlet Letter.” In order
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Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in Salem‚ Massachusetts into a family that was of Puritan belief since generations. Hawthorne’s lived in poverty with his mother and two younger sisters in a house filled with Puritan ideals. He had a feeling to some extents of Puritanism as being intolerant and cruel. Hawthorne’s states that Puritans feared that some women were completely lost to God and had turned to witchcraft to serve the Devil. Although these witches still appeared human‚ the Devil would use them
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quickly. The book‚ The Scarlet Letter‚ emphasizes the harsh justice system of the Puritan lifestyle. The author‚ Nathaniel Hawthorne‚ uses his creativity to throw a spotlight on Puritan ideals and political systems. These ideals and political systems have shaped a large portion of our current cultural and moral expectations. For instance‚ the puritan forms of discipline‚ which Hawthorne hopes to detract from‚ including public shame‚ being set apart from the rest of society‚ and the shame that the
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Representation of Romanticism in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne The use of Romanticism in The Scarlet Letter contradicts strict puritan society with nature and the freedom that comes with it . Hawthorne portrays Romantic elements such as admiring nature and solitude‚ and revolutionary thoughts‚ in The Scarlet Letter. Theses elements are used in Hester’s ostracization from society‚ thus leading her to posses revolutionary thoughts. Hawthorne uses the prison as a symbol of society‚ and the nature
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In the introductory sketch to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel the "The Scarlet Letter"‚ the reader is informed that one of the author’s ancestors persecuted the Quakers harshly. The latter’s son was a high judge in the Salem witch trials‚ put into literary form in Arthur Miller’s "The Crucible" (Judge Hawthorne appears there). We learn that Hawthorne feels ashamed for their deeds‚ and that he sees his ancestors and the Puritan society as a whole with critical eyes. Consequently‚ both open and subtle
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The story “The Birth-Mark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne is set In Europe during the eighteenth century. Specifically the story is set in Aylmer’s sinister laboratory‚ along with a beautiful boudoir. These two locations represent what Aylmer wants to accomplish and his failures. The laboratory as described by the narrator is said to be a place that is gaseous‚ and covered in soot altogether a hideous place‚ something to be ashamed of like failures; In comparison to the boudoir that is filled with nice aromas
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Hawthorne and Symbolism Symbolism in literature can convey a much deeper meaning than what we interpret at the first reading of a story. This is one reason it is always a good idea to go back and read a passage or story more than once for analysis purposes. Our opinions can vary greatly from one reading to another‚ even after reading a piece several times. We may end up with five different versions of what the story conveys to us. Nathaniel Hawthorne was a master at using symbolism in his writings
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(Chen).” Puritans were filled with extreme beliefs which caused them to harm anyone who believed anything separate from their views. This is a common reality of today’s life as well; Nevertheless‚ Hawthorne’s work is based largely on symbolism. Hawthorne uses colors to symbolize the different aspects of Puritans lifestyle. He wants his readers to feel the variety of emotions through colors by bringing attention to a rainbow. The story itself is also based on some historical truth. For Example‚
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English Protestants voyaged across seas in search of better land to start a new life; they settled in the recently discovered New World. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne depicts the struggle of a young woman‚ Hester Prynne‚ and her sinful reputation as an adulteress. Coming to New England unaccompanied by her estranged husband Roger Chillingworth‚ she felt alone and in need of someone‚ which resulted in great consequences for her lover‚ Minister Dimmesdale and their daughter‚ Pearl. Hester
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To understand how the character of Hester Prynne was created one has to understand the influence of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s own Puritan family heritage. He was the third great grandson of the unyielding Puritan William Hathorne. This ancestry has a direct influence on the context of The Scarlet Letter and how Nathanial Hawthorne portrayed the characters. In 17th century Boston there is a strict hierarchy held in the village and the rule was strictly Puritanical‚ with harsh laws and severe religious
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