Post by twin1 on Nov 17, 2007 20:34:36 GMT -5
Mr. Cheddar noted in class that the Scarlet Letter could be analyzed as a feminist work. An interesting passage I found in support of this is when Hawthorne speaks of Hester becoming a living testimony against sin. She becomes, “the general symbol as which the priest and moralist might point, and in which they might vivify and embody their images of woman’s frailty and sinful passion” (76). This suggests that Hester is not only being punished for her sin of adultery but is also given her sign of ignominy to testify to the weakness of women.
Another example of feminism in the novel is how Hester, though facing adversity, is rising within the community while Dimmsdale and Chillingworth are decaying morally and physically. While Hester turns her sign of ignominy into a billboard for her business Chillingworth becomes consumed by identifying Hester’s partner in sin. He is later overcome by his ardent pursuit for revenge, which causes him to decay morally. Dimmsdale actually becomes physically ill as a result of his sin. In this, Hester emerges dominant from her sin, while Dimmsdale and Chillingworth are ravaged by its consequences. This speaks to feminism as Hester faces ridicule but, in a way, prevails over her male counterparts.
Can anyone find any more text that would support labeling the Scarlet Letter as a feminist novel?
Another example of feminism in the novel is how Hester, though facing adversity, is rising within the community while Dimmsdale and Chillingworth are decaying morally and physically. While Hester turns her sign of ignominy into a billboard for her business Chillingworth becomes consumed by identifying Hester’s partner in sin. He is later overcome by his ardent pursuit for revenge, which causes him to decay morally. Dimmsdale actually becomes physically ill as a result of his sin. In this, Hester emerges dominant from her sin, while Dimmsdale and Chillingworth are ravaged by its consequences. This speaks to feminism as Hester faces ridicule but, in a way, prevails over her male counterparts.
Can anyone find any more text that would support labeling the Scarlet Letter as a feminist novel?