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 criticism of the Puritans’ practices is applied
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The Puritan and Romanticist Ideas of The Scarlet Letter The standards that the Puritan ideal set are virtually impossible for any human to attain. Part of the ideal was that they believed that man only existed for the Glory of God and to do only His will in effort to obtain future happiness. Religion governed the community and all aspects of life in these communities. Since the ideal was almost impossible to attain‚ society was fraught with sin. Hawthorne addresses sin and transformation through
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“The Scarlet Letter” written by Nathaniel Hawthorne is based off the early colonial age of New England‚ where religion played a huge role in shaping society and life. Throughout the book‚ sin was a constant factor that plays a role in Reverend Dimmesdale’s life. Committing one of the unforgivable sins‚ adultery‚ with Hester‚ he lets his guilt control his life. However‚ it is better that Dimmesdale doesn’t confess his sin because it leads to Dimmesdale having greater influence over the community
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English III H P.3 October 16‚ 2012 Mr. Dicus The Scarlet Letter Regret as a verb is defined as “to feel sorry about something previously done that now appears wrong.” Throughout The Scarlet Letter‚ Nathaniel Hawthorne uses characterizations to illustrate Hester Prynne’s journey of overcoming her regret‚ adultery‚ on which this whole book is written. The puritan people intended to shame Hester when she is branded a sinner with the use of a scarlet colored “A”‚ but Hester learns to embrace the “A”
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Hester is proud of her A and how she made it herself until the towns people begin to criticize her and then she becomes self conscious of it and tries to hold Pearl in a way to hide the letter. “let her cover the mark as she will‚ the pang of it will be always in her heart.” (Hawthorne 36). Hawthorne critiques the Puritan ideals by making you feel bad for Hester. Hester hadn’t been in contact with her husband‚ Chillingsworth‚ for almost 2 years when he disappeared. Chillingworht could have been dead
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The Scarlet Letter The scarlet letter is a tragedy. The puritan society is responsible for Dimmesdale ’s downfall because its members expect him to be perfect‚ and he is not. His inability to give the people what they require from him ultimately leads to his downfall. Dimmesdale has an affair with Hester Prynne‚ a married Puritan woman. Hester gives birth to their daughter‚ Pearl. "Children have always a sympathy in the agitations of those connected with them; always‚ especially‚ a sense of any
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The Scarlet Letter The Puritan Society is an important part of American history‚ it outlines America’s brief moment of theocracy and extreme social order. The Scarlet Letter‚ written by Nathaniel Hawthorne‚ depicts Boston‚ Massachusetts during the time of puritanism and follows a young woman‚ Hester Prynne‚ through her trials and tribulations under her sin. The Scarlet Letter is repetitive of its time period through Dimmesdale’s state of religious anxiety and self-punishment‚ the glorification
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Symbols in The Scarlet Letter Symbolism plays an important role in many novels. Held with the distinction of implying important themes‚ symbols add depth to a story. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter takes place in Boston‚ Massachusetts‚ in the 1640’s. Embellished with symbols and hidden themes‚ the novel tells “a tale of human frailty and sorrow” (Hawthorne 46). In addition to human flaw and sadness‚ the novel reveals inhumane punishment and torture from the government and citizens
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Idealism‚ Logic‚ and Puritanism in the Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne ’s novel‚ The Scarlet Letter‚ is about the struggle three people face while trying to live their lives and find happiness in a Puritan society. In the early 1640s‚ Hester comes to the small town of Boston‚ Massachusetts‚ while her husband‚ Roger Chillingworth‚ settles business in Great Britain. Hester and Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale‚ the town ’s priest‚ engage in the act of adultery and produce a baby girl named Pearl; though
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when he too has fallen short of perfection. In The Scarlet Letter‚ Nathaniel Hawthorne contrasts between outward appearance and inner secrets using elaborate symbolism‚ distinct irony‚ and theatrical dialogue to develop his argument that hypocrisy is eminent in all societies. The Scarlet Letter portrays the townspeople as a fierce and judgmental group symbolizing the hypocritical characteristics in the members of a society. The puritan society of this novel views adultery as a serious and unforgivable
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