The Apostate Jack London

The character of Bartleby in Herman Melville’s novella “Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall-Street” is a person who refuses to become an object in capitalistic society. Initially, he is the perfect example of the objectification and mechanization of humans in the workplace. In essence, Bartleby is a machine that continually produces. Ultimately, he begins to resist the mind numbing repetition of his tasks and the mechanization of his life. The other main character, the narrator, is a facilitator of the capitalistic machine. He dehumanizes his employees by ensuring that their free will is denied in the workplace using objectifying nicknames, providing a workplace devoid of human touch and connection,; and perpetuating mechanized, repetitive work. Melville’s “Bartleby, the Scrivener” shows the dehumanizing effects of working in a capitalistic environment and ultimately suggests that one must conform to a standard way of life or will cease to exist.

Human beings possess several virtues that differentiate them from other creatures and can use them in ways that represent their perceptions of social order. Surprisingly, Oscar Wilde believes that disobedience is an original virtue of every human and that it is responsible for progress and development. While Wilde’s claim is not entirely accurate, it is largely valid as evidenced by the recent events across the world, including the US, that have led to positive outcomes in spite of being termed and perceived as acts of disobedience.

The children In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter play a major role in the Puritan society. With their honest opinions of Hester and Pearl, the children are presented as more perceptive and more honest than adults. Due to their innocence, children are capable of expressing themselves without constraints; there are no laws or regulations that they are bounded by. As an adolescent go through the stages of life and grow older, they begin to be more conscious of the how they act as they are more aware of society and the things that are occurring in the world, creating a filter for their actions. When they remain as the children, on the other hand, are adventurous; they are still exploring the universe that seems to fill with mysteries that are bound to be solved. They tend to attach to the truth and they are not afraid to speak it freely. Children differ from adults in their potential for expressing these perceptions. With their obliviousness to the things that are actually going on around the town, children therefore react differently compared to the adults, who are more knowledgeable. Perceived to be immature, young children are presented as more perceptive and more honest than adults due to their innocence, how they are unaware of the reality and the crimes that are presented in society by the adults enables them to be blithe and not afraid of saying what they feel like. Due to their naivety, when they express what they perceive to be true, they do not get punished,

It is the unique connection between challenging labor and the favorable outcome (in terms of one’s wisdom) that makes the working industry “good.” In contrast, those who work to meet the high demands of society’s version of “success” will undoubtedly fail in regards to their mentality. Clearly, Eighner supports Havel’s idea that one should take advantage of hard labor because of the spiritual benefits, not for the physical products that result from expenses. Moreover, he explicitly describes his aversion toward “can scroungers,” a symbol in the article that represents the materialistic people in society who depend on their physical possessions. The homeless man criticizes and accuses can scroungers of littering the dumpster area in an effort to find cans and exchange them for small cash; in fact, “they become so specialized that they can see only cans” (Eighner, 427). “Can scroungers” are dependent characters who are completely devoted into meeting their addictive needs to the point where they become blind from differentiating between what is rational and

In a society where work is portrayed as needed, individuals that prefer not to are seen as rebels and enemies of the capitalist way of life. I think that Bartleby is a victim of this capitalist way of life, him and the Queen are cultural rebels, they represent the absurdity of work and the necessity of identity.

While Dickens reveals the power of redemption from evil through good people, Wilde exposes the traumatizing effects of the absence of good people can have on influencing the identity of an originally good-hearted person. Because Henry swayed Dorian to live only for himself and the physical pleasures of life, he corrupted his soul, and therefore, lost opportunities to form relationships with good people, who could have saved him from himself. By the time he realizes he had “tarnished himself,” “filled his mind with corruption,” and “given horror to his fancy,” time has run out to turn his life around (Wilde 206). Wilde implies Lord Henry influences Dorain to the point of no return, and by the time he understands what he has become, he is too

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne highlights the concepts of sympathy and shame through Arthur Dimmesdale, who commits a sinful act of adultery. Dimmesdale is a renowned minister in Puritan society who conceives an illegitimate child with Hester Prynne. Dimmesdale is not publicly condemned; instead, as he conceals his sin from public scrutiny, he faces an inner conflict. He is conflicted because if he confesses, he can become Hester’s lover, but will also be publicly scrutinized. On the other hand, if he continues to conceal his sin, he will continue feeling shameful, but can remain renown in the Puritan community. Before Dimmesdale dies, he overcomes his inner conflict and is able to atone for his wrong doings. Dimmesdale’s complex character and the particular circumstances of his crime, ultimately makes Hawthorne and readers ambivalent towards Dimmesdale’s plight (150).

Settled in 1630, the Massachusetts Bay Colony housed one thousand refuge Puritans. The Puritans had sailed over to escape religious persecution from England. Born one hundred seventy four years later Nathaniel Hawthorne, whose ancestors arrived at the colony, would become a writer. He started writing at the age of twenty four, but would not peak until he hit his late forty’s. His most famous book written was The Scarlet Letter. The book was originally concepted upon the findings of a paper recalling the events and the scarlet letter. Hawthorne’s book would showcase the Puritans view on the sin of two people and the revenge of another. Portraying the lives of three different people, the strong willed Hester Prynne; the abused clergyman

Throughout the literary work of art, The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the characters that he created to express the dysfunctionality of the Puritan society’s process of punishment for sins. The Scarlet Letter was written in 1840 and published in 1850 by Ticknor and Fields. Hawthorne portrays themes of sin and redemption through The Scarlet Letter’s intricate narrative of how a woman, Hesther Prynne, commits adultery with a highly respected religious figure within the Puritan society, whose name is Arthur Dimmesdale, while the woman’s former husband seeks for justice. Hawthorne also incorporates his own story into The Scarlet Letter, using his experience as an ancestor of John Hathorne, a vicious judge for The Salem Witch Trials, which took place in Salem, MA 1692-1693. Hesther, the adulterer, was punished by the Puritan society and was sentenced to wear a scarlet letter “A” upon the chest of gown for the remainder of her days whereas, her partner, Dimmesdale was not initially revealed to the society as Hesther’s lover. Hesther’s former husband Roger Prynne, soon to be named Chillingworth because of his embarrassment of his affiliation with Hester, was seeking to bring the partner of Hesther’s affair to justice in the light of God’s punishment. Hawthorne argues the difficulties of how sin and redemption causes a ripple effect in which it not only affects the sinners, but all those around them.

People are constantly changing. They are constantly using their past mistakes to make for themselves a better future. Life is a constant process of living and learning. This is what author, Nathaniel Hawthorne, has the character Hester Prynne do in his novel The Scarlet Letter. Hester Prynne, the main protagonist, causes great havoc in her society for committing adultery. The novel tells the story of Hester and how she is shut out from her world for what she has done, and exemplifies the affect of her sin on those around her and those closest to her. These people including Reverend Dimmesdale who dissipates from his own guilt, Roger Chillingworth, Hester’s husband who was assumed to be dead, who becomes a very vengeful and spiteful man, and also her own daughter Pearl who is an outcast of the children because she is a child of sin. Hester’s development throughout the novel is truly remarkable as are the effects other characters have on her. She grows from being ashamed and defiant to at peace with herself and her sin while remaining the same protective mother of her daughter, Pearl. She becomes confident and free, not letting the Puritan society control or define her.

Although times and people change, people’s general thoughts and actions in comparable situations remain timeless. This statement should be considered when determining whether or not The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne should still be including in high school curriculum. Many people argue that it should not be; that the book is outdated and could in no way relate to the lives of the young adults reading the classic novel. In the story, Hester Prynne, a Puritan woman, commits the shameful act of adultery. Since she did in fact commit a sin, Hester is looked down upon by her community and is forced to wear a scarlet letter A on her chest as a constant reminder of her actions. Throughout the story, Hester is forced to live and deal with the repercussions of her sin from the townspeople as well the people relating to the sinful action. Although the plot and setting of seventeenth century Massachusetts do not seem to relate to teenagers reading the book, the themes and ideas presented in the novel have eternal messages. Ideas pertaining to deception to maintain a reputation or for protection and the ongoing struggle of being accepted in society are themes that do not have an expiration date. Although The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne could seem like an outdated work of literature as it took place hundreds of years ago, it is still read and taught in high schools due to its portrayal of undying and universal themes.

For my individual book, I read the scarlet letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Hawthorne got the idea for the book The Scarlet Letter when he worked in a publishing house and discovered a scarlet A along with some documents. The Scarlet Letter is a story about Hester Prynne and how she lives with her sin of adultery. From this sin she got her daughter Pearl. Pearl is somewhat of a minor character in the book, but obviously a very important one. Throughout the book people try and find out who is pearl’s father, who is revealed in the end.

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is filled with violence, hatred, and social ostracism, and contains a dark and sinister plot. These inherent values make this dark romance seem true to itself. However, I believe that there is another meaning to the story’s events. Many parts of the plot relate to religion and nature, showing to Hester how resorting to nature when the many challenging situations are presented results in a much better outcome. While The Scarlet Letter is very dark on the surface, its real point is to convey how the prominent role of religion in society is the source of its ailments and darkness, and that adapting to nature leads to a more enjoyable and prosperous life. The church is corrupt, forcing you to live a lie, and the solutions to the Puritan’s corruption and these lies are found when abandoned and resorting to nature.

Oscar Wilde works combine the importance of his own life with his ability to write to create famous short stories, plays and novels. A few of his most famous works include The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Importance of Being Earnest. This Irish writer used unique themes and techniques to separate himself from many other writers of his time. Themes such as homosexuality, individualism and aestheticism frequently which make his works especially stand out. His most important techniques include characterization, criticism and structure which enable Wilde to explain his way of seeing the world through his works. His themes and techniques work closely with his stylistic usage of fairy-tales, pessimism and dichotomy to bring his works together.

The theme of losing faith has been a favorite subject of many writers throughout history. In the bible, Moses was forbidden from entering the promise land because of the sins he had committed and ultimately losing his faith. In