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The creation of “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne was written at a time when the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes became a huge movement in America. Femenist authors such as Mary Wollstonecraft and Margaret Fuller had circulating works of literature, making women’s rights a cultural discussion. Hawthorne had previously been labeled as a misogynist due to sexist comments about Wollstonecraft and Fuller when he called them a “damned mob of scribbling women,” creating a prejudice reputation in 1855. Threatened by this movement that could unsettle his position in the literary world, Hawthorne allowed the influence of women back in his life. Although the novel suggests stereotypical sexism, the tone changes with the female protagonist of Hester Prynne. The novel demonstrates how she navigates the overbearing patriarchy around her, while still upholding her integrity.
Prynne is described to be tall with, “a figure of perfect elegance on a large scale.’ She has dark hair, a rich complexion, and eyes like the night sky. Not only is it her radiant appearance that is beautiful, but the strength she holds inside. In the beginning of the novel Prynne walks out of the prison door holding an infant, the townspeople saw not of a fearful woman, but a strong one. She walked out of that prison door “with natural dignity and force of character, and stepped into the open air, as if by her own free-will.” Being ushered to the scaffold to be publicly humiliated for her act of adultery, her head remained high. At a moment where Hester is supposed to cower, Hawthorne establishes Hester’s independence and dignity. She is forced to wear a red “A” on her chest labeling her as an adulterer, thus making her a piranha in her puritan community. Her husband, Chillingworth, is a cold man and when questioned by him, Prynne refuses to reveal who her lover is, leaving her to endure her punishment alone. This makes Prynne a likable character, many can sympathize with due to her desire to escape a loveless marriage.
The Puritans felt that the intimacy between a man and a women could only be heaven approved by marriage. Anyone to break this rule of God will be exiled in His name. Women were considered especially vulnerable to temptation, men were thought to be more able to tame sexual desire, thus the need for men to keep women’s sexuality within their control. The townspeople claim, “This woman has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die.” Prynne is subjected to death for just indulging in human impulses. Her passionate nature goes against all warning against women’s sexuality in her community. This does not stop her from continuing to pursue Dimmesdale and dreaming of a life with him, away from all scrutiny. Her bravery shows how weak the Puritans grasp is on her, and her ability to see past the discrimination.. Not recognizing the female desire and shaming women for it, is still an ongoing issue in today’s society.
From the time when she was first sentenced to wear the letter, Prynne focuses on her daughter Pearl: the source of her happiness. Despite her lonely existence away from society, Prynne finds the inner strength to defy both Chillingworth and Governor Bellingham when they question the guardianship of Pearl. The governor is determined to take her daughter away, Prynne says, ‘God gave me the child! He gave her in requital of all things else, which he had taken from me . . . Ye shall not take her! I will die first!’ Prynne shows her motherly nature to not be parted from her daughter, while also maintaining what little power she has over these men. They no not of what it is like to birth a child, therefore, should not be given the right to dictate what is right for Pearl. Hawthorne draws attention to the difficulties of raising a child as a woman of the time, particularly when Pearl throws a tantrum and Dimmesdale demands that she calm their daughter. Although Dimmesdale is Pearl’s biological father, he has no right to lay claim to her when he has done nothing to raise the child.
Being exiled by the scarlet letter gave Prynne a fresh outlook on life. Gone were the rules and expectations that came with the Puritan society, leaving her to think more freely and stand up for herself. “The tendency of her fate and fortunes had been to set her free. The scarlet letter was her passport into regions where other women dared not tread.” In the forest scene when Prynne bodly suggest that her and Dimmesdale start a new life together, even he recognizes that she has the strength he lacks. This shows that she has been liberated from barriers that used to constrict her, thus giving her feminite power. Throughout the whole book, all of the blame for the infidelity was placed on Hester, not Dimmesdale, to protect his reputation in the town. Hester is the one who had to deal with the criticism, raise her child and face the shame by bearing the “A” on her chest. While Dimmesdale suffers greatly through his conscience, his consequence for his actions were not as severe as Prynnes.
Prynne became the general symbol that, “embodies the images of woman’s frailty and sinful passion.” Giving up her sense of self, she is an example to all women who are battling with their own sense of womanhood. At the end of the novel Prynne as taken it upon herself to helping other women in the community with their issues of discrimination. She says, “At some brighter period … a new truth would be revealed in order to establish the whole relation between man and woman on a surer ground of mutual happiness.” This quote shows Prynne’s hope that one day there will be equality for both men and women, and women will be less subjected to shame. Her optimism shows how Hawthorne thinks equality is important, since it would allow both men and women to be happier and enjoy healthier relationships with one another. Hawthorne created a strong female character that doesn’t let men rule her life. It is her choice to go back to Dimmesdale, just as it was her choice to leave Chillingworth. And that’s what feminism really is, giving women the right to make their own choices regarding their lives.
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