Hester And Nurse Ratched: A Radical Feminism

Comparing Hope Leslie or Early Times in Massachusetts and The Scarlett Letter is interesting because at first glance both novels don’t appear to have much in common aside from having a female protagonist and taking place within Puritan society of early America. (keep but not as first sentence). However, despite obvious differences between both novels such as the character presentation of the female protagonists in Hope Leslie who range from the free-spirited Hope Leslie, obedient Puritan Esther, and character of Magawisca as a noble but proud Native American contrasts with the Hester Prynne’s presentation as a shamed but deeply contemplative woman in The Scarlett Letter. The different purposes all these characters each serve in their respective stories begins to show commonality in that Hope Leslie’s Hope, Esther, and Magawisca and The Scarlett Letter’s Hester Prynne all have to overcome the adversity and social expectations with Puritan society so they can follow their hearts and do what they feel is right by relying on their wit, intelligence, and inner strength. By examining how both Hope Leslie and Hester Prynne overcome the challenges they face in their respective Puritain socities it will be easier to observe how these novels presentation of their female protagonist illustrates the gender politics of each text.

This shows that Hester’s strength and compassion as a woman and as a feminist leader of her time. With the restraints put on Hester because of the social hierarchy and the oppression that society scorned upon her, any normal woman of her time would not be able

Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest is a book in which he dealt with the issues of racism, sex and authority that is going on in a mental institute. In the novel, the women are depicted as the power figures who are able to significantly manipulate the patients on the ward. There are four ways of Ken Kesey’s using of “woman” as a subject: Superiority of male sexuality over female authority, matriarchal system that seeks to castrate men in the society, mother figures as counterpart of Big Nurse and “Womanish” values defined as civilizing in the novel.

In the 1960s the views of women were not as they are today. For centuries women have been objectified and not treated as equals, only being viewed as property or looked at for their physical features. Ken Kesey the author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, with the character McMurphy, learned towards the superiority of the male sexuality over female authority (123 Helpme). The women in the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest are portrayed as weak, sex objects, and domineering.

Hawthorne juxtaposes the incredible grace and poise of Hester with the grotesque words and figures of the established Puritan women. When she is heading up to the scaffold, Hester is described as, “lady-like, too, after the manner of the feminine gentility of those days, characterized by a certain state and dignity” (Hawthorne 46). The idea of Hester being “lady-like” and having “gentility”, which are very positive qualities to have for a woman, especially in Puritan times, is used as a foil to the malicious treatment Hester receives. These positive traits also show the beauty and desirability of

The empowerment of women is not even an issue in the novel, but it is the main theme in the movie.  In another added scene, Hester even visits some of the tyranny put on women by men back on Brewster Stonehall in the scene where he tries to rape her.  Instead she "rapes" him symbolically by maliciously driving a candlestick, which is similar in size and shape to a penis, into one of his bodily orifices (his eye), chalking one up for the good gals.  Simultaneously, she is proving that she can defend herself without a man.  In the final scene of the movie, Hester jumps up into her wagon with Pearl and proclaims that

Conformity is an action in accord with prevailing social standards, attitudes, or practices. It is has the capability to cause unwanted pressure or social influence on a person. Even though people would like to see themselves as individuals, they have the need to fit into society’s “norms.” Throughout the two novels, “The Scarlet Letter” and “The Awakening,” the theme of going against conformity is present between the main characters and their respective society. In “The Scarlet Letter,” the main character, Hester Prynne, is ashamed for breaking the harsh Puritan rules. Edna Pontellier, the protagonist in “The Awakening,” tries to break away from the typical standards of womanhood during her time. In both societies, position and status is the most important thing. Despite the constant change of how people view them, both Hester and Edna go against this tradition in order to live the way they choose to.

Sexism is apparent in the men of Boston; they treat women as shallow, conniving creatures who only wish to accomplish their own ends. “Is there no virtue in woman, save what springs from a wholesome fear of the gallows?” (Hawthorne 35), exclaims a man in the crowd which gathers with anticipation to gawk at Hester Prynne, a young adulteress who has fallen prey to unfortunate circumstance. A group of men, the patriarchs and leaders of the town, are to decide Hester’s fate; Arthur Dimmesdale, a young minister, is among the judicious panel. An older clergyman orders Dimmesdale to coax Hester to disclose the identity of her lover, but she refuses; her withholding the information seems to relieve Dimmesdale. Even though the judiciary panel attempts to find the father of Pearl, the child, they give up after Hester keeps her silence; however, they reward her with a lifelong sentence of mortification: she must

     Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, a dark tale of sin and redemption,centers around the small Puritan community of Boston during the 17th century. In the midst of this small community is Hester Prynne. She is a woman that has defied the Puritans, taken the consequences and in the end conformed with the Puritans. It did,

While Puritan women are weak and dependent upon their husbands, Hester Prynne is empowered and self-reliant. A character designed by Hawthorne to show 19th century women that women’s work could be valuable, Hester supports herself and her daughter by needlework. “For, as the novel unfolds, the letter, intended by the Authorities to signify harsh but just condemnation, is made by Hester to signify something entirely different—able, admirable.” (Bell 109) All aspects considered, the ability of Hester, a woman who committed sin and was publicly punished for this crime, to manipulate this punishment into a virtue

Gender roles in The Scarlet Letter can be described as both traditional and unconventional depending on which character is being observed. Characters such as Hester Prynne, Chillingworth, Dimmesdale, and Hester’s daughter Pearl are the main characters that portrayed one or the other. In this book, perhaps one of the more notable differences is that men seem to be portrayed as the weaker of the two sexes, as far as fundamental strength is concerned. It is interesting to consider that comparison when noting that the important men responsible for deciding Hester’s fate are so intent on convincing her to tell them the name of the man who was her “tempter.” At the same time, however, the men seem to be more inclined to be more lenient and somewhat tolerant of Hester and her sin than the women of the colony. The women are supposed to have the upmost ladylike persona, who follows their husbands’ wishes and provides for the family through caring for the children, cooking, and cleaning. These characters chosen almost seem to represent everything opposite, yet everything common in this

Women characters also depict the feminist critical approach throughout the novel. Society views women as being inferior to men. For example, The Awakening states that Mr. Pontellier, “… looking at his wife as one looks at a valuable piece of property which has suffered some damage,” (3), which shows he does not appreciate his wife. He treats Edna as if she was an object that he owned, and had full possession of. Although it takes a while for these women to break free, they end up realizing

While Hester is a feminist, not only does she share the ideals but shows superiority to the town while being fearless. " It may seem marvelous, that this woman should still call that place her home, where, and where only, she must needs be the type of shame.” (chapter 5, paragraph 2) Hester does not let the shame and remorse of the sin keep her away from the town like most would do. Hawthorne even states that Dimmesdale is weaker than Hester by punishing himself and holding his heart while Hester embraces the sin and is strong while carrying the letter on her chest. She leads a self-righteous life, although she could keep what she earns, she gives most away. Even the townsfolk say Hester is "so kind to the poor, so helpful to the sick, so comfortable to the afflicted."(chapter 13, paragraph 5) Hester can be seen over the townspeople helping them although they shamed her. Hawthorne presents that Hester’s “tendency of her fate and fortunes had been to set her free.” (chapter 18, paragraph 2) With this Hester has a “radiant and tender smile, that seemed gushing from the very heart of womanhood. (chapter 18, paragraph 12) These quotes from Hawthorne show that Hester’s kindness helps her overcome her sin on her own. With Hester’s contribution to the town, “Her handiwork became what would now be termed the fashion.” (chapter 5, paragraph 6) In his research, Sacvan Bercovitch remarks that “Hester Prynne ‘builds upon the tradition of the biblical Esther -

Therefore, she “attempts to conceal [her breasts] in [a] sexless get-up” (64). In order for McMurphy and the men to regain power, they must regain their sexuality and reveal the nurse’s. McMurphy’s final stand against the nurse involves him “ripp[ing] her uniform all the way down the front” (275) and revealing breasts that she had concealed. With this metaphorical rape, Kesey is equating the men regaining power with sexual dominance over women. The rape of the nurse is seen as a heroic act by McMurphy, which conveys the misogynistic message that men have a right to sexual power over women. The way that McMurphy performs this rape is effectively silencing the nurse, as he had his “heavy red fingers [in] the white flesh of her throat” (275). Using silence in conjunction with a metaphorical rape gives a further misogynistic tone, as McMurphy is exerting sexual dominance as well as stopping her from being able to speak out against him, or any man. Because this is McMurphy’s final action, it is seen as his greatest one. Therefore, the man who can break a woman is seen as an ideal specimen.

For all of these reasons, Hester’s feminist mindset became prevalent throughout the novel. She questions the place of women and becomes heavyhearted when she realizes she does not possess the ability to make an impact. She ponders whether being alive is worth the travesty she believes is engrained