Hester Prynne Analysis

In the 1850’s, America was undergoing a massive internal changes via the industrial revolution. With this new era, American culture was drastically changed as women started to take a more prominent role in American society. In his novel The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne attempts to stimulate this change by illustrating the positive influence of a strong female character in a Puritanical society through his heroine, Hester Prynne, by putting her in a scandalous situation capable of drawing out the worst in people.

In his essay, “On The Scarlet Letter,” D.H. Lawrence provokes Nathaniel Hawthorne’s portrayal of Hester Prynne as a miraculous hero. Throughout the whole essay, he implies that Hester Prynne is a shameless transgressor, who only cares for herself. Hester Prynne is shamed by Lawrence for her atrocious actions. Lawrence provides several writing techniques in his essay including biblical allusion, degrading diction, and hyperbole, to prove that Hester Prynne is a wicked sinner.

Hester Prynne, is a 30-year-old white European woman who was born in New England in 1804. She expressed that she came from a middle class family. She indicated that her parents were always loving, supportive, and attentive to her psychological, emotional, and physical needs. She conveyed that she was a vivacious, strong-willed, passionate, and impetuous child. She emphasized that frequently her parents would have to restrain her from her incautious behavior. At the age of 20, she married a man named Roger Chillingworth. She expressed that she loved him; however, she felt that he did not love her. She conveyed that he was a selfish man, and was emotionally unavailable (SparkNotes Editors, 2003).

Hawthorne's Hester Prynne is the underdog protagonist that the reader cannot help but want to succeed. She is flawed but her flaws are outshone by her good heart and spirit. This shamed and humiliated woman is the one the reader, with the help of Hawthorne’s descriptions, wants to support. This sinful woman, with a child from wedlock, a diabolical “husband”, and a secretive lover is the motivating force that drives the reader to continue on with The Scarlet Letter. The language, descriptions, and plot of The Scarlet Letter show that Hawthorne believes the reader should look past gender stereotypes because not everything is what is

Born in Salem, Massachusetts in 1804, Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote many novels and short stories. Hawthorne’s best novel, The Scarlet Letter, overtook the role of the first truly, American novel. His use of rhetorical devices, especially symbolism, established him as one of the most studied authors of all time. In order to convey meaning or to persuade, Hawthorne utilized numerous rhetorical devices. Rhetorical devices in The Scarlet Letter evoked emotions of the audience. In Hawthorne’s work, the devices helped the audience elaborate on the novel. Hawthorne used rhetorical devices to show his character's turmoil. He did this through the character of Hester Prynne, a social outcast bound to isolation by her sins. In novel, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hawthorne depicts Hester’s inner turmoil through the portrayal of the sinful nature of human beings utilizing rhetorical devices.

Lawrence incorporates a sarcastic tone in his essay to belittle the adulteress because she is not deserving of a high reputation. Hester is degraded because she is shameful to all women. Lawrence sarcastically insists that she be put “upon the scaffold and worship her there” (Lawrence). Since the author does not approve of Hester’s adultery, he uses sarcasm so his readers can envision another side of Hester as a woman who is worthy of anything but praise. Lawrence sarcastically comments that she is being worshipped, which contrasts with Nathaniel Hawthorne’s judgement towards Hester who he believes plays the heroine in the novel. His sarcastic tone enables him to bring more emotion beyond the words’ literal meaning. In addition to Lawrence’s disrespect for Hester regarding the unnecessary worship she receives in the novel, he is also sardonic when he describes her appearance. Hester’s scarlet letter only represents her shameful sin of adultery in Lawrence’s eyes. He speculates that the women will be “envying [Hester’s] sin, and beating [her] because [she’s] stolen an advantage over them” (Lawrence). His sarcastic tone indicates that he has no respect for any woman who commits adultery. Because Lawrence believes that it is the woman, not the man, who is at fault for the development of an unorthodox relationship, he immediately blames Hester for creating such a relationship with Dimmesdale. Lawrence will not change his opinion on Hester no matter what she does in attempt to better her reputation.

“There are many things in this world that a child must not ask about” (Hawthorne). In a shameful society, prejudice against an individual can go far beyond a child’s understanding of the society. On the other side, revealed, corrupt action often yields to ignominy and humiliation in public; thus, one would rather keep their guilt or shame to themselves for a perfect image. Similarly, during the 1850, Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote a novel in Salem, Massachusetts, The Scarlet Letter, which he portrays the impact of humanity’s ceaseless struggle with sin, guilt, and hypocrisy in public or private matters. Moreover, he reveals the society’s internal and external impact on the nature of the individuals. Specifically, Hawthorne utilized

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter, is a compassionate yet riveting piece of English literature that supports the movement for equality of suppressed women during a most tumultuous time during the 1800’s. Hawthorne’s use of emotional diction and imagery throughout his novel employs a deplorable tone upon the story. It serves as a stark representation of an imaginative yet realistic example of the indifference of men and women during these changing times. Deeply held Puritanical beliefs led countless of people to believe that individuals, especially women, who committed sins of any type would never reach heaven upon their passing. Men, on the other hand, were judged less severely if accused of a crime. Hester Prynne, the

In D. H. Lawrence’s essay “On The Scarlet Letter,” Lawrence analyzes Nathaniel Hawthorne’s portrayal of the adulteress Hester Prynne. He argues that Hester’s character is not worthy of the praise she receives in The Scarlet Letter because of the severity of the sin she commits in the novel. Instead of focusing on Hester’s character after the sin, he bases his argument on the sin itself. Lawrence uses terse syntax, an accusatory tone, and biblical allusions to depict Hester as the sinner of the story.

Hester Prynne is the protagonist of The Scarlet Letter, a novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. She was a beautiful woman who, because of her adultery, experienced persecution and was ostracized by everyone in her town. Her shame and guilt gave her an understanding of sin and redemption. She serves as an example of someone who is rejected by society and, because of it, grows in both strength and wisdom. Hester’s sin overshadowed her beauty and talent, but her humble and generous deeds gained her respect over many years.

Nathaniel Hawthorne is the author of the classic novel the Scarlet Letter based on the Puritan Era in Massachusetts. D.H Lawrence a British writer critiques the novel and gives his opinions on the piece in a persuasive argumentative manner. He believes that the heroine of the novel is not the beloved, marvelous character we all believe she is.He uses confident literary techniques like powerful tone, abrupt syntax and classic biblical allusions to convince people that the beloved character Hester Prynne is truly a conniving adulteress who thrives off of stealing one's purity.

In "The Scarlet Letter", a fictional drama written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester Prynne, the protagonist, cheats on her husband, Roger Prynne/Chillingworth, with Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale. There are many internal and external problems with these characters, as you would expect from a drama. If this novel is approached with psychoanalytical literary criticism, then the characters' "psychological problems" will likely be revealed (hazlet.org). Arthur Dimmesdale is an obvious victim of his psychological problems. "His form" was "emaciated", his voice "had a certain melancholy prophecy of decay in it", and he would often "put his hand on his heart, with first a flush and then a paleness, indicative of pain" (Hawthorne 124).

One way Hawthorne displayed hypocrisy was through Hester Prynne. Hester was not only guilty of adultery, but was also guilty of hypocrisy. Hester claims that she loves Dimmesdale, but she lets him suffer for seven years. She kept Chillingworth’s identity a secret from Dimmesdale and allowed Chillingworth to continually torture him. Hester knows that Chillingworth 's torturing is slowly weakening Dimmesdale mentally and physically, yet she does nothing to put an end Chillingworth’s or to help Dimmesdale. “Take heed how thou clentiest to him -- who, perchance, hath not the courage to grasp it for himself -- the bitter, but wholesome cup that is how presented to thy lips!” (Hawthorne 47). If Hester had told the truth, everything would have been better. Hester was also hypocritical in how she shows her love for pearl. She loves Pearl enough to clothe, feed and care for her, but she does not lover Pearl enough to tell her that Dimmesdale is her father. She does not love Pearl enough to give her a father.

Despite her adulterous acts, Hester Prynne displays the qualities of a true heroine. A heroin is defined as “a woman of distinguished courage or ability, admired for her brave deeds and noble qualities.” (Dictionary.com). Though some may say that she is not heroic, a person must possess some bravery to be able to endure punishment and judgment by their peers silently. She did not succumb to the pressure to reveal her partner's name, when she is told to "speak out the name of thy fellow-sinner and fellow-sufferer" (Hawthorne 65). This shows loyalty, and though it is loyalty to a fellow sinner, it is still a quality that a heroine must have. Also, the fact that she is able to raise her child while her punishment is ongoing shows strength and

However, Lawrence sarcastically incorporates this analogy, implying that Hester Prynne is the opposite of a pure woman. By comparing her to women who are known for their abstinence, Lawrence ironically emphasizes Hester’s adultery, which negates her supposed purity. Throughout his essay, Lawrence alludes to characters who have overcome temptations of sexual desires in order to provide a stark contrast to Hester Prynne’s immoral