Category: fiction

Introduction

Fiction is a genre of literature that involves invented characters, they are usually in prose and are primarily novels. Childrens fiction has been used over time, and the question of what impact it had on their lives arose. The parents reading The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires to the children confessed that the view was impacted, to mean the effect is far more intense on a growing mind. In this essay, both positive and negative implications of children reading fiction will be analyzed.

Negative Implications

The first negative impact is the lousy character adverse effects, which means that the child picks up the characters bad behavior in the fiction. For instance, in the book, the family of the protagonist does not have likable characters, and children may think that their behaviors are acceptable and follow their example. In the book, Greg Hefley is the main character writing his fictional diary, and he is constantly doing something wrong. Greg has the habit of never offering a sincere apology, and to top it all, he never learns from his mistakes. Another negative impact of fictional books on children is the advancement of toxic and unhealthy stereotypes in society.

For example, many writers may stick with the stereotype that men belong at work and women in the kitchen that is formed in a childs mind and influence their reality. Girls could be impacted negatively and never reach their full potential because they were conditioned not to chase after their goals because of the negative stereotype associated with their gender. The stereotype of racism and the type of treatment that people with various skin color should receive has been passed on through fictional books.

Positive Implications

Children lose themselves in the book, and that is seen as engaging and one of the most effective teaching tools. Reading books helps children with interpretation and inference. Fiction does not always have the goal of conveying information compared to non-fiction. For instance, the movie Happy Feet has the feature which allows children to think critically and to understand what motivated the character to behave in a particular way. Empathy is another positive impact of fiction as it teaches them how behave when different scenarios present themselves. Research shows that fiction can change stereotypes and ensure a better future because people who feel for each other will be formed as one reads literature and sees that all people are unique and have something to offer (Hopkins and Weisberg 48). As children read fictional books, they are drawn by the great story which engages their emotions

A child can build and increase their vocabulary through the reading of fiction. As children read, they understand new words in the best way and learn how to use them in sentences and real-life introduced to them in the story. Children are socialized through the reading of fiction because it teaches them how the society operates. Socialization means identifying themselves with the characters, and as they see them making mistakes, a young reader gains wisdom on what to do and what not to do.

Reading Fiction Books is Better

Fiction reading is better because it has unquenchable benefits for children. A child grows to be an effective speaker because of articulating thoughts into words learned through reading books. The negative impact can be eradicated through mentorship and censorship. Reading has been viewed for a long time as a positive activity that has been encouraged by both teachers and parents. Books play a tremendous role in the lives of children and even adults with the countless positive impacts they bring. Books allow children to imagine new places such as different countries and people, thus, broadening their thinking.

Conclusion

The positive impacts of reading fictions outweigh the negative impacts of a child engaging with fictional material. The stereotypes that are enhanced by the use of fictional books can be censored by parents and teachers before children can read them. People in places of power can be proactive and ban the perpetuation of certain beliefs through publications. Fictions, both movies and books, do well to the childs development and socialization.

Work Cited

Hopkins, Emily J., and Deena Skolnick Weisberg. The Youngest Readers Dilemma: A Review of Childrens Learning from Fictional Sources. Developmental Review, vol. 43, 2017, pp. 48-70.

Abstract

Newspeak, a language of fiction, was invented by George Orwell. The language was developed during the totalitarian party system to make speech hard to understand thus making speech impossible. Other than the media, newspeak as a language has continued to take over many other sectors today such as the business world, sports and schools among other sectors where people get to interact over varying issues. This is a major problem to the progress of the English language and hence should be a major area of concern for the future generations. With the view of trying to eliminate the use of this language among the media personnel Randy Michael, the executive officer for WGN introduced a list of names that he banned from being used by newscasters at this station. By continuing to become a language that is taking over the English language today, failure to eliminate the use of this language will have serious effects in our future society as indicated in the movie Idiocracy.

Definition and origin

Newspeak can be defined as a language of fiction that was invented by a writer called George Orwell in his book called Nineteen Eighty-Four. In his writing, this author included a small section related to the language. This is an appendix whereby he explains the various rules and guidelines that guide this language. Newspeak is a language that is related to English has not only been found to simplify grammar but also the use of vocabulary. For its origin, the language of newspeak was developed during the totalitarian party system to make speech hard to understand thus making speech impossible. The current English language referred to newspeak as old speaks and sought to completely bring it to an end by the year 2050 (Burgess, 1978).

George Orwells writing called Politics and the English Language can be seen as being the starting point of newspeak. This is through his lamentations on the quality of the existing English language during his time. In his lamentations, the author mentions several examples that include; pretentious forms of diction, dying metaphors and words he regarded as being meaningless and rhetoric. According to Orwell, these examples result in illogical thinking as well as ideas that lack clarity. The establishment of newspeak from Orwells point of view can be seen as that which is intended at exploiting the corruption of language through the oppression of those who use it to communicate (Young, 1991).

Charlie Meyersons argument

Charlie Meyersons (News Director for WGN) argument that the elimination of the use of the banned words by the executive officer at WGN-AM 720 was a way of enduring that the newscasters communicated effectively to the general audience. It also put the situation in a way that didnt seem like they were reading a script rather than talking, which can be seen as being both true and false. On one side, banned words make up some of what is mainly used by the general public in their day to day talks hence, when news-casters use them, then they get to communicate to the general public in a language that they can associate with and with which they can effectively understand. On the other hand the banned words can be seen as clichés that are common in the media industry today and that should be gotten rid of. By banning the words, the executive officer seeks to enhance the correct use of language as well as professionalism. Professionalism could be one way through which the use of such words even among the public could be eliminated putting in mind that the media has great influence on culture and language especially the young people. Other than promoting professionalism, I believe that the elimination of these words will not in any way help in bettering communication to the general public. Too much professionalism will in fact make news boring and complicated to the public who vary in all levels such as socio-economic status, education background and level, job positions and type as well as age and sophistication. Professionalism in terms of language will only aim at communicating to a part of the public.

Usage

Elimination of newspeak in ones communication is one way through which a person is able to enhance his or her level of reputation in communication or as a communicator. The use of news speak on the news can most often be regarded as being unprofessional. I however believe that the use of these words creates a connection between the newscasters and the general public, whose level of professionalism in speech varies on whom they are communicating to, and hence they can make a real connection to real people. In most cases, the general public does not notice any problems in the language used by the casters as they regard it as being ordinary. Only a language professional would notice the difference. The language of communication used by these casters however is not one that can be communicated to all people but only to some exceptions. It is for example that I can use to communicate to my friends, family and peers or to people who I socially associate with but I cannot use it to communicate to my professor or employer. News speak is basically a social language and not a professional one hence should only be used in exceptional situations and depending on the level of relationship between an individual and the person they are communicating with.

From a managerial point of view Randy Michaels move to announce the ban on the words to the general public, as a way of communicating to his staff members, cannot be regarded as being the best approach to have been taken. The executive officer as well as Charlie Meyersons should have directly communicated with the newscasters and announced the ban on the words to them as well as get to hear their various opinions on the issue.

From the banned list, several phrases can be seen as being most offensive. These include; the use of Yesterday to begin a sentence, youth to mean child, everybody in reference to the audience,  Informed sources say, some of you, sources say, those of you, were back, welcome back everybody, you folks. These words generalize the audience as one and therefore do not give specific details on who is being referred to. The use of yesterday does not specify which time of yesterday the caster is referring to.

Words and phrases that need to be added to this list include, behind the scenes, controversial, on our top news, tonight&.grisly road accident, dont go away. These words leave a lot of questions to be answered. They are clichés that need to be completely dealt away with.

Weasel Words and Jargon

News speak has been found to be a language that promotes the use of clichés and other words and phrases that hinder the progress of the English language. The language involves the use of weasel words and jargon to communicate to the audience (Green, 1985).

As the use of newspeak continues to expand in our media today, the use of jargon has also been marked in many other sectors of the society today that include the business world, sports and schools among other sectors where people get to interact over varying issues (Klemperer & Brady, 2000). This is a major problem to the progress of the English language and hence should be a major area of concern for the future generations. The lack of commercialization and promotion for the movie Idiocracy shows how the public is ignorant and unwilling to change the rise of newspeak as a language that is taking over English. Based on how newspeak and use of jargon have taken over the society today, the movie has some truth in it. Unless something is done to stop its use, newspeak and use of jargon are going to take over the use of the English language.

References

Burgess, A. (1978). Nineteen Eighty-Five: Newspeak. Boston: Little Brown & Co.

Green, J. (1985) Newspeak: a dictionary of jargon. London, Boston: Routledge Publishers.

Klemperer, V. & Brady, M. (2000) The language of the Third Reich: LTI  Lingua Tertii Imperii: A Philologists Notebook. London: Athlone Press.

Young, J. (1991) Totalitarian Language: Orwells Newspeak and Its Nazi and Communist Antecedents. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia.

Introduction

Postmodernism is a broad academic term that came into the limelight in the mid- 1980s. It refers to certain aspects of works on different disciplines done after the Second World War. The works vary from: music, literature, fashion, art, communication, technology, architecture, and sociology among others (Caughie, 196). Post modernism literature is that written during this time period, and has several characteristics which make it vary from modernism. More written materials carry fiction rather than reality. It is difficult to talk about postmodernism without mentioning modernism in the first place. A discussion of the aspects of reality and friction relative to what existed is in essence a basis of the effects such have had. Although the work of realism still continues from the modernism period, there is actually more fictional work than was previously thought and reality in literature has reduced.

Modernism

Modernism takes different stands on various issues some that are similar to postmodernism but there is a shift as far as reality and fiction is concern. Modernism writing stressed on how issues took place and not what was perceived to have taken place. It expresses impressionism and subjectivity. Narration point of view changed to non omnipresent first or second person with no clear cut moral lessons from the literature article. The different types of literature material mixed up or overlapped such that poetic work was similar to documentaries and prose seemed poetic for the people. Also stressed on were fragmented and discontinuous narratives which seemed to have random assorted materialistic taste. Reflectivity and self consciousness was paid attention to in details on pieces of the work. This gave the pieces of work a uniqueness that was possible only in particular ways. The much extended formal aesthetics were reduced to minimum, and the spontaneity discovery in creation adopted. There was rejection of the wide difference between the rich and the poor or the cultural backgrounds both in the way the literary material is produced and displayed to the public ( Bradshaw and Dettmar 156-161).

Postmodernism realism and fiction

Postmodernism is based on components that are completely different from the above and can be summarized as in the table below.

Linearity Disjunction

The above summary table mentions the characteristics of postmodernism aspect of literature as it dynamically developed from the modernism system.

Several reasons may have led to this transformation from modernism to postmodernism with the increased usage of fiction as reality diminished. These have not only aided the change but sustained postmodernism. All aspects of the current society are dependent on traditional narratives and postmodernism criticizes this (Bertens 7). Since all these traditional narrative explore reality, postmodernism tries to embrace something different that could have a justifiable counter explanation (Bertens 9).

In a bid to achieve this, it settles for fantasies that can pass for reality and therefore increase its usage (Berger 46) as discussed in this paragraph. Some of the things countered are the local events that are not in the large scale concepts of modernism. Another component that has participated in this is language as a whole. The language used in postmodernism is transparent and does not perform any other function beyond representation of life. There are only signifiers in postmodernism. Any stable permanent reality that existed in the language together with the idea disappears. What is left therefore is the fiction that tries to explain what reality would have explained easily by the realities that is already distorted. In modernism and the error that preceded the signifiers pointed to some signified. Enlightenment of thoughts therefore to certain extends help in sustaining the fiction of post modernism. In this system, everything is a copy of an initial work that is rarely traceable. There are no originals, for instance while an individual may paint a sculpture as an original work, there will be thousands of copies of the original that people will hang in houses as the originals fall deep in the safety vaults of swizz banks. The same applies to music recordings among others. Another component of this is the creation of virtual reality in which simulated situation of reality is created without the existence of any original work. Computer usage that has greatly taken place in the postmodernism is involved here. The graphical simulations are purely designed without any initial original work being copied. The question of organization of knowledge also greatly concern postmodernism. A bad, primitive, and irrational notion in the modernism error of equating knowledge with science and hence relative to narratives, science was good knowledge pushed people to postmodernism and postmodernism work. Individuals generally sort knowledge through education simply for the sake of becoming knowledgeable which was viewed as a good thing. This has changed to be functional in post modern society. Learning is not done so that people can simply know but so that the knowledge can be constructively used by the learners. Emphasis her are made on the learners skills and training them instead of the humanist general ideal of the education system. Several questions, especially on matters in the above table such as in politics, are raised in postmodernism (Berger 48).

Conclusion

Several of the factors that influence the postmodernism reality are either societal or natural adjustments to lifestyles. All in all, postmodernism is driving away the realism in literature and replacing it with fiction.

Works Cited

Bradshaw, David, and Dettmar, Kevin. A companion to modernist literature and culture. Garamond: Wiley-Blackwell, 2006. Print.

Berger, Asa, A. The portable postmodernist. London: Altamira, 2003. Print.

Bertens, Hans. International postmodernism: theory and literary practice. Amsterdam: Benjamins, 1997. Print.

Caughie, Pamela. Virginia Woolf & postmodernism: literature in quest & question of itself. Michigan: University of Illinois Press, 1991. Print.

A recurring idea of an individual and a society in the American Romanticism made its presence throughout this collection. Emily Dickinson’s poem “Much Madness Is Divinest Sense, has a base formality that resonates with how individuals may react to their current societies standards. Hawthorne uses Hester Prynne and pearl in The Scarlet Letter, and Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven”, to demonstrate certain interpretations of madness derived from Emily Dickinson

In “Much Madness Is Divinest Sense” by Emily Dickinson, the author herself, focuses on the aspects of madness and conformity. The poem on lunacy and sense idealizes two opposite poles of central paradox. Dickinson solicits the reader to not take society’s idea of madness as its exact point value, and instead, think for oneself. Dickinson expresses, “To a discerning Eye- Much sense- the Starkest madness- Tis’ the Majority”(stanza 1-3). The Stanzas provide the people that view society with “discerning eye”, the ability to see will open up the reality of “madness” actually being reasonable. Dickinson suggests ‘experiences’ and ‘ideas’ of humans who are deemed ‘mad’ might reveal more about society and the world, than one could have realized. The speaker conveys much of what is considered to be insane, as an opposite. Stating only those that look at the world as independent and objective, will see clearly. Similarly, perceiving the world normal and sensible is an actual disadvantage of the worst kind of madness. Dickinson emphasizes on the majority’s fault, a society will consider deem a person rational when they can agree upon society.

In The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, protagonist Hester Prynne, habituates independent isolation. In regards to Dickinson, Hester has been rejected by society’s norms yet ministers to her own existence. Hawthrone reveals, “They branded it afresh into Hester’s soul; so the symbol with her hand”(89). Though Hester had committed a sin, she chose to turn the scarlet letter “A”, into her own, diminishing any intended shame for representation. Self awareness had an affiliation throughout the novel, as did self sacrificing. Hawthorne divulges “Insomuch that you should no longer hide the name of him who tempted you to this grievous fall”(68). The continuous idea of Hester and self sacrificing can link to Emily Dickinson. When opposites occur and people are deemed “mad”, there is truth revealed in society, yet hold the reality of reason. Hester holds no shame in being an individual, she rises above society shunning her, only to prove society itself went mad in place of Hester.

The Scarlet Letter by Hawthorne, uses Pearl to convey yet another connection with Dickinson’s ideology. Hawthorne expresses, “I am but a child. It will not flee from me; for I wear nothing on my bosom yet”(198). Hawthrone manifests Pearls unexplainable attraction of child with strength and wisdom. Pearl holds innocence, to not be pressured or forced to conform to social expectations. It is evident that independence made Pearl better; The natural remedies of life hold certain truths within children. Looking back at the childhoods of many individuals, most innocent days follow the wonders of having a vivid imagination. The mind is a powerful element, essentially it is the core to all measures that make up a human being. With that, it can also easily be corrupted through society’s influence. Growing up many have undergone development and change scientifically and morally. Just like Dickinson, the experiences and ideas set out can cause separation. Division will consume and the madness will flow, only to be labeled as unreasonable, however, perhaps there is truth the individual may hold. It should not be up to society to designate the sensible group as the majority.

In “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe, The views of society and an individual relates to Emily Dickinson. “Here I opened wide the door; Darkness there and nothing”. Allan Poe illustrates true reality, The isolation and emptiness he faces . It is evident for romantic views on the idealistic feature of individual versus society, is a non comformity of isolation, but the society is the torture machine. Just like Dickinson, “All, prevail- Assent- and you are sane-”, has a continuation of seeing oneself as normal, yet there is an enemy working against an individual, being society. Having the constant degradation drives an individual to learn the truth about society and can be established in Hawthorns, The Scarlet Letter. “Speak thou for me!…Thou wast my pastor, and hadst charge of my soul, and knowest me better than these men can…Thou knowest – for thou hast sympathies which these men lack'(107). While society may have set forth to destroy Hester, Hester knew her reality. She was content and accepted her life choices, not once truly feeling shame or regret. Aiming towards the ending of The Scarlet Letter, the revelation of society, Dimmesdale, faces the dark ending of his life cycle, drove into madness from essentially a paramount secret that ate away at him. As for Chillingsworth, also society, facing the same fate, was driven into madness. Fundamentally, Chillingworth’s good judgement is consumed by the foe in him, seeking vengeance over forgiveness that leads up to his demise. Corresponding to “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe, the author also reveals the drive of madness. “And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor Shall be lifted—nevermore!” The narrator has been driven to complete isolation and emptiness knowing he will never see his lover Lenore. With complete isolation and change of livelihood, the guide of misunderstanding has one direct exit, madness. The society themselves, lost themselves in madness, leaving the individual to rise to greatness with clarity.

All in all, Emily Dickinson’s perspective in the individual and society realm, is the madness of isolation of humanity and the sensible society being utter opposites. To be a variance with society is an immediate threat, leading to restriction for an individual emotionally and physically. However, an individual may carry the sensible, rational truth. With the propositions given by Dickens, other collections such as Hawthorne, and Edgar Allen Poe exemplify the notion of driven madness.

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter published in 1850 was a notably acclaimed novel that was one of the first mass-produced books in the United States, sold out just a few days after its initial printing. The book portrayed its protagonist, Hester Prynne’s story of guilt and repentance after she conceived an illegitimate daughter through an affair with the town’s clergyman. The well-renowned romanticist novel has much literary merit and themes that displays significant value for the reader, yet it was notorious for the controversy it engendered. Disapproval of the book consisted of the novel’s reflection of adultery, immoral acts, obscenities, and a clergyman’s involvement in fornication. The outlook of religious societies including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam has always condemned the act of infidelity and other immoral acts on the basis that if a person is willing to commit such crimes to society and not conform and obey the standards of morality, then there would be nothing preventing that person from committing misconduct in other aspects of a civilizations, ultimately causing that society to fall apart. These controversies may be present in the novel and may cause people to want to censor it, but The Scarlet Letter has substantial literary significance and importance that it rescinds all of the controversies surrounding it.

Nathaniel Hawthorne throughout The Scarlet Letter developed multiple valuable lessons and themes that make it particularly noteworthy to its reader. Some of the complex work’s messages include the notion of being mindful of differing perspectives, overcoming sin and guilt to achieve redemption, and individualism through transcendentalism with unconventional gender roles. As the novel exhibited differing perspectives it allowed the reader to decide their own subjective opinion on the matter without Hawthorne’s opinion being contrived. Hawthorne didn’t claim any specific character as being right or wrong, but instead, he allowed the reader to assess the story’s circumstances and decide what they deemed fitting, allowing with a sense of moral ambiguity throughout the novel. The novel also has literary merit because it describes that overcoming sin and guilt to achieve redemption is a timeless notion. Poor decisions may cause consequences and the reader through the novel learns that they must take responsibility for their actions like Hester, yet they also learn that they shouldn’t allow those consequences to determine their future. Hester throughout the novel overcame her consequences with individualism by taking upon herself unconventional gender roles. Unlike a typical woman in the 15th century, Hester took upon herself a single parent role even though society regarded her in a condescending way because of it. Hester in the novel’s context was one of the first feminists of her time because she defied her community for the greater good. She kept her daughter’s father a secret because she believed it was better for Dimmesdale’s reputation as the town’s clergyman to be considered reverent than to be tainted.

As a result of the novel’s discussion of controversial topics, multiple groups including religious institutions, parents, and schools have decided to censor the acclaimed novel. Their argument mostly claimed that they viewed the work as a dirty story with bad morals and “pornographic and obscene” scenes because the work dealt with infidelity, a clergyman’s involvement in fornication, and an illegitimate child born out of wedlock. Some religious officials even condemned the book as a work belonging to a “Brothel Library.” These bans were made since the initial publishing of the book up until more recent contemporary times. Communities have banned the book and the movie because it confronts and describes immoral acts that society didn’t want to regard since it can stir a possible desire in its audience to do so, making a moral society fall apart. However, this notion is misinformed because attempting to ban novels creates a mystical fascination and a natural inclination to do what is forbidden and retain knowledge. Similar to the Adam and Eve tale where God in the Bible told them not to eat from the forbidden tree of knowledge, yet they defied God by doing exactly what he explicitly forbad. Human nature is to learn what shouldn’t be taught and to do what shouldn’t be done, and prohibiting people from reading The Scarlet Letter will only encourage them to read it instead.

Conclusion

The Scarlet Letter should continue to be read and taught in high schools since it has significant literary merit allowing students to use their analytical thinking skills by asking questions, discussing controversies, and making judgments. The novel’s literary merit included themes of achieving sin, guilt, and redemption, responsibility, and achieving individualism through unconventional gender roles. This novel overall creates a sense of critical reading and thinking within the students reading it. It should be specifically taught in high schools since it discusses more mature themes and situations that may not be suitable for younger audiences because they may not understand the immoral acts or because they may not appreciate the lessons of the story.

Many controversies may surround The Scarlet Letter because of its mature themes and lessons presented in the novel. This may ultimately cause people to want to censor it, but The Scarlet Letter has substantial literary significance and importance that teaches society many lessons. This literary work supersedes the controversies surrounding it and should be taught in high schools because it can help students grasp the issue and learn from it.

In The Scarlet Letter, not only is Pearl Hester’s daughter, but it is clear that she is also a wicked reminder of the past. In the novel, Pearl symbolizes the scarlet letter itself. The scarlet letter is meant to be a symbol of shame. That means, Pearl happens to be the punishment for Hester’s sin of adultery. Hester received this “A” on her bosom because of the crime she committed. Hester wouldn’t be able to walk the streets without being looked up and down as if she was some sort of demon because of her. Therefore, Pearl is the being that made her mother’s sin known, which resulted in Hester having the scarlet letter.

Pearl was Hester’s daily reminder of her failure as a human being. If she was never born, Hester’s sin could’ve been kept a secret. But, through all the agony and pain she gave Hester, Pearl was all she has left. Throughout the second half of the novel, Hester tries to be the best role model for Pearl swearing she can take care of her. Hester doesn’t want Pearl ending up how she did in her life. She knows she messed up, and is aware of her mistakes. She thinks she can turn Pearl around. The novel states, “ ‘Mother, the sunshine does not love you. It runs away and hides itself, because it is afraid of something on your bosom. Now, see! There it is, playing, a good way off. Stand you from me; for I wear nothing on my bosom yet!’ ‘Nor ever will, my child, I hope,’ said Hester.” (Hawthorne 167). This quote shows that Pearl, with being Hester’s daughter, wants to grow up just like she did, but does not realize the symbol on her mother’s bosom is not a symbol of greatness. Hester hopes and prays that when Pearl grows up, she will not commit the same crime she did, and receive the same amount of shame from the people around her.

Pearl was the consequence of Hester’s private sin. Another way she symbolizes the scarlet letter itself is when the government wanted to take Pearl away from Hester, but Dimmesdale convinces them that Pearl is initially the living reminder of her sin. Without Pearl, it’s like Hester without sin. In the novel it states, “ Therefore it is good for this poor, sinful woman that she hath an infant immortality, a being capable of eternal joy or sorrow, confided to her care—to be trained by her to righteousness, — to remind her, at every moment, of her fall, — but yet to teach her, as it were by the Creator’s sacred pledge, that, if she bring the child to heaven, the child also will bring it’s parent thither.” (Hawthorne 103). This quote shows Dimmesdale was speaking to the town government trying to get them to allow Hester to raise Pearl. Therefore, Pearl is literally the walking scarlet letter.

Without Pearl, there would of been no punishment, no “A” on Hester’s bosom, and no conflicts with Dimmesdale and Chillingworth. That’s because if Hester didn’t have a baby, there would have been no crime committed.

In the contemporary era, people hold stereotypes toward the people they don’t know well and labeling them into certain characteristics, so it is necessary for us to learn about an ethnic group that is usually misunderstood by other people. Native Americans, however, as the original residence of America, often being portrayed in a prejudicial description. There are pieces of evidence that make people think in such ways.

To begin with, the main stereotype of Europeans about the Indigenous Americans is that they are somewhat innocent and their way of living looks primitive. In the journal “la relacion cabeza de vaca” described by a Spanish explorer “They cure by blowing upon the sick, and with that breath and the imposing of hands they cast out infirmity. They ordered that we also should do this, and be of use to them in some way. We laughed at what they did. Telling them it was folly, which we knew not how to heal. In this description, the Indigenous Americans are portrayed as uncivilized and their way of curing people seems ridiculous to those Europeans. In addition, the author also describes that “the inhabitant of all this region go naked. The women alone have any part of their persons covered.” However, it is understandable that these Europeans may feel perplexed about their unique culture due to their relatively backward living styles, which forms the early stereotypes about the Native Americans

What’s more, there are some very negative prejudices against Indigenous people. In “The scarlet letter” written by Hawthorne in the 1600s, Descriptions of Native Americans in this novel are both racist and patronizing (Gussman 73). The word “savage” is used countless times in the book in reference to Indians. To Hawthorne, the clothing, the way they danced, the places they lived were savage. When Chillingworth is standing in the market-place, Hawthorne describes him standing next to an Indian as “a white man, clad in a strange disarray of civilized and savage costume” (Hawthorne 56). His clothing, received while being held by Native Americans, is looked down upon by Hawthorne just as it was by Puritans. Moore, author of “The Salem World of Nathaniel Hawthorne”, describes how Indians were treated as subjects in his writing, and goes so far as to say, “In truth, Hawthorne never seemed to see the Indian as yet civilized…in some of the early stories he refers to Indian savagery”. While these negative opinions on the lives of Indians were the general view of countrymen at this time in history, Hawthorne’s bias toward the Indian’s civilization shines through in The Scarlet Letter. His blatant comments on their savagery, and the way he described them as “idle and vagrant” do nothing but further prove that he had disdain for everything that Native Americans represented.

Admittedly, there are also some stereotypes that are positive about the Native Americans. The American Indians are known for their bravery and good warfare, especially the indigenous Americans who live on the plains for hunting. In order to get enough food, they watched the bison’s route and looked for the best hunting opportunities. In the fierce battle with the bison, they may be trampled to death by strong buffalo. The hunting traditions of the plain Indians cultivated their militant and brave spirit. In the struggle against the European colonists, the entire tribe often fought to the last person, the last drop of blood. But the indigenous Americans do not aim to capture and enslave others, they only for revenge and honor.

Work cited

1. La Relacion of Cabeza De Vaca – Chapter XV, Aufses, Robin Dissin, et al. Conversations in American Literature: Language, Rhetoric, Culture. Bedford/St. Martins, 2015.
2. http://xroads.virginia.edu/~MA04/ranger/devaca/chap15.html.
3. “The Scarlet Letter Notes.” UKEssays.com, https://www.ukessays.com/essays/literature/scarlet-letter-notes.php.
4. Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York: Penguin, 1986. Print.

The scarlet letter is an American romantic drama film. It is an adaptation of Nathaniel Howthorne’s book that was written in 1850. The movie was directed by Roland Joffe and stars Demi Moore as Hester Prynne, Gary Olman as Dimmesdale, and Roland Duvall as Roguer Chillingworth. There are many similarities and differences in the novel as in the film, and also themes like sin, love and revenge appear. One of the central themes is the sin with which Hester Prynne has to deal with contempt, and hatred of her community after giving birth to Pearl. From the point of view of the film and the novel there are certain differences.

First, in the novel Hester simply endures and accepts her punishment, this means that the author from the first moment describes and shows how people behaved in that century, how they were influenced by the church, how everyone followed the rules. A clear example is shown in chapter one when Hester leaves the prison “A throng of bearded men, in sad-coloured garments and grey steeple-crowned hats, inter-mixed with women, some wearing hoods, and others bareheaded'(the scarlet letter of 72 pages) and the townspeople are there to judge them for their sin. Comment by User: Are you quoting this line from the book? If so, remember to follow the pattern AUTHOR + PAGE NUMBER for in-text citations. Eg.: (Hawthorne 72)

While in the movie, Joffe gives the viewer more information about Hester’s character, that is, he tells the story of how she arrives in the new Colony and, from the first act, the director shows Hester as a woman with her own thoughts. An example of that is when she decides to live alone and Mrs. Stenholm tells Hester: ‘I hope she said she would stay in our house until her husband arrived.’ And Hester responds to Mrs. Stenholm: ‘I thank you but I intend to have my house as soon as possible’ (film 7:01). This means that if a woman lived alone, she would go against the rules since it was a Puritan society. Also in the movie, sin is not terrible in Hester’s opinion, since she thinks she did not commit any adultery because she had a daughter with the love of her life, in other words, she has thoughts of a current woman, since she insists that she did nothing wrong. Comment by User: Eva please check the notes I’ve recently sent you about citing dialogue from a movie. This form of in-text citation is not correct.

The same with the rose of the book, the reader has an idea of ​​how the narrator feels about sin. While the rose was beautiful, love and passion cannot be separated from the concept of sin. The movie does not show the rose, but it shows a red bird that symbolizes sin. A clear example is when the bird flies deep into the forest. The bird was also used again as an unmistakable symbol of sin when Hester and Dimmesdale were having their adventure in the barn.

One of the differences that can be observed about sin is the red rose tree mentioned in the first chapter ‘This rose bush, by chance, has remained alive in the story ‘(the scarlet letter 73 pag); in the movie a red bird appears that symbolizes passion and sin. A clear example is when the bird flies into the forest and Hester follows it. The bird was also used again as an unmistakable symbol of sin when Hester and Arthur were having their adventure in the barn. Comment by User: Check Comment by User: This is repeated in the previous paragraph, please check.

Another difference is the visual effect of the letter ‘A’. The cinematic version of the letter ‘A’ is simple, but the letter ‘A’ of the novel describes it as exuberant, embroidered in gold thread and this shows how this sin affected the Colony of 1642. Comment by User: Add in-text citation here since you are paraphrasing information from the book. (Hawthrone __)

One of the similarities observed about sin are that Hawthorne and Joffe put emphasis on the concept of original sin, with the symbolic use of the colour red. In the two stories this colour represents also passion and adultery.

Love is another important theme in the two stories but it is seen as being told from two points of view: in the novel Howthorne treats the theme of love as something forbidden since in those times and in a Puritan society being in love with another man outside of marriage was considered the greatest of adultery and was publicly punished with the intention of causing shame and humiliation since for Puritans adultery was seen as a threat of social order and love was synonym of marriage. Comment by User: This sentence is too long, please divide it in two.

The novel shows how they suffer for love but unlike Hester, Arthur feels a lot of anguish throughout the novel and feels that he can no longer bear that burden that causes him to get sick and die. He in the novel is described as a weak man who did not know how to face his love for Hester. Comment by User: Again this is paraphrased from the book so you need to ad dan in-text citation at the end of it.

However, in the movie the love story between Hester and Arthur shows that love is stronger than religion and any rule. The clearest example is when Hester in the movie says: ‘In god eyes, he is my husband’ (film). The director wanted to show the audience that from the first moment they both met there was a connection that could not be broken. A good example of his love is when, in the movie, Arthur tells her: ‘Hester I am not the man you believe, I have always lived here and I always knew what I wanted but now I would risk my life, my soul for being with you ‘(film).and at that moment she also declares her love saying: “I do not think I was alive Before Meeting You ‘(film 39:32). With this scene the director wanted to show Hester as a woman of free spirit who makes her own decisions and she is willing to wait and fight for her love. Comment by User: Revise

Unlike the novel with respect to love it looks like the two stories have different endings since in the novel they can’t be together, in the movie the story ends with a happy ending since they accept their love and go to live to New England.

Revenge is another theme that is clearly seen in both the novel and the movie. It is remarkable how in the two stories revenge takes a leading role, since the main author of this topic is Hester’s husband. The similarities between the author and the director are that in both stories Chillinworth became increasingly evil and he I was determined to take revenge. In the movie he felt a lot of hate but he was still in love with Hester since in the movie he says to Hester: ‘I don’t take revenge on you creature but the man who has harmed us is still alive’ (film 1:23:18) in This scene the director wanted to show how he still hoped to return with his wife.

In both versions, Hester’s husband was determined to destroy with Arthur’s peace since he was to blame that his wife had the letter A. This means that Chillingworth in both stories is presented as an example of perseverance, although the object of his inquiries is revenge.

To summarize it is advisable to watch the movie and of course know Howthore’s work since it shows us what life was like in a Puritan society shows us the idea that the love and responsibility of a married couple that were equal to a moral duty and This teaches us to know a little more about the history of how in a Puritan society, adultery was considered the most serious of sins but at the same time it shows us how generations began to change since in the movie the two characters stay together .

Works Cited

1. “La Letra Escarlata” YouTube uploaded by ANTORCHA CAMPESINA MIXTECA BAJA, 13 jun. 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfHrdkahkAE&t=6894s
2. Nathaniel Hawthorne “The Scarlet Letter” http://www.planetpdf.com/

Romeo and Juliet is a play from the world famous playwright William Shakespeare, the first time I was told to read it, I sort of sat there with a blank face, the YouTube buffering symbol in my eyes, and one question, “wot”. Okay, so, Romeo and Juliet, famous love story, got a good premise, more death than Friday the 13th in 5 days, but a half decent message, “fortune comes to those who wait.” Well not that message entirely, but the point is clear, rushing into relationships is something that children and complete idiots do, and it’s like buying an entire house because you like the stained-glass window. The gist of the story is two families, the Capulets and the Montagues get real narky at each other for some reason, but instead of settling it over some sort of mutual agreement, or something like normal people, they just kinda stare at each other for the whole story, disliking each other, until the final chapter, where they make up and go out for ice cream and lemonade, or something, but like waay too late, ‘cause like five people are dead, but at least they weren’t bitter by the end.

Romeo and Juliet’s premise is that Juliet is to be married at the young age of 14 to a 25 year old Count named Paris, I’m assuming you all see the age gap, and you get uneasy, which is normal, in fact, so normal that even Juliet has that feeling, and agrees only to think about marrying Paris after observing him at the ball that night. Then the Capulet boys (Benvolio, Mercutio, and of course Romeo) go to crash it, wants to go undetected, hiding under a mask, eventually, he runs into Juliet and they click like two rocks into tinder, and end up burning the whole damn forest down. Romeo stakes out in Juliet’s garden, then when she’s contemplating what to do, up pops Romeo, swanning about all romantic and such, Juliet spends half of spiel poking plot holes in Romeo’s figure of speech like a complete buzzkill. Eventually they decide to get married the next day, and here’s my point. This play is almost advice to some people who think that life is a relationship, and they want to speedrun a relationship in an attempt to feel some sort of love, but they just aren’t ready, and when they realise it takes a bit of effort to stay in a relationship, as opposed to getting into a relationship, they get bored and leave, so in an effort to fill the void, they get into another relationship as fast as possible. This behaviour creates a cycle equivalent to that of building a small shack, burning it down because you don’t like the paint, then building it and painting it the same way, it gets infuriating, to all those observing this selfish person.

So, Romeo and Juliet get wed by a Friar Laurence, where even Friar Laurence scolds Romeo before the wedding for not being loyal (obviously, falling in love with someone within 24 hours of falling in love with another person doesn’t exactly show loyalty) Romeo brushes it off and goes back to town, now changing the proverbial facebook status, where Tybalt getting a nark on, wanting to challenge Romeo to a duel for having the audacity to go to a party he wasn’t invited to, Romeo tells Tybalt to let it go, but instead Mercutio takes up the reigns for Romeo, while Romeo is all like ‘for goodness sake you two, I don’t want you two dead over this stupid stuff’ Tybalt ends up stabbing Mercutio underneath Romeo’s arms, where Romeo gets completely livid since Tybalt just stabbed a friend of his, so Romeo, being the newly wed husband does the rational thing, kills Tybalt, to resounding applause from the audience. After this, Romeo is put in time out forever and banned from Verona, when Juliet hears this, she gets all mournful, since now she can’t see her husband, Friar Laurence comes up with the idea to feign Juliet’s death to everyone, and give Romeo a letter spoiling the plot twist, Friar John (Friar Laurence’s subject) goes to give the message to Romeo, but it gets lost in the mail, so when Romeo hears Juliet’s dead, he gets the biggest of sad. On his way back to Verona to see his wife one more time, after buying poison from The Apothecary, he comes across Paris in her chambers, and does the normal thing and kills Paris on sight. After looking on at the not really dead Juliet, he necks the poison like a glass of water and dies, coincidentally, just as Juliet wakes up from her extended beauty sleep, Friar Laurence bursts in, and sees Romeo dead, where he just gives up hope on these two and leaves quietly. Juliet, after seeing her husband dead at her feet, grabs his dagger and stabs herself, with three dead in the chamber, and two dead in the streets, Friar Laurence scolds the two families for being such unreasonable people, which they both agree with, and end this brawl.

To me, this whole story is very relevant today, with people jumping both feet into a relationship without actually knowing the person, this is especially true with the younger generation, hell I’m even guilty in some part of this (just not as far as to actually get a girlfriend feelsbadman) but this book shows what happens when someone falls in love far too quickly, and heavily, things don’t last long. There are some that believe that Shakespeare shouldn’t be taught like here, written by a Mark Powell, an associate director at Salisbury Playhouse (playhouse as in a theatre play, not pee wee’s playhouse) but he focuses on how that it is confusing to read, and write, but what he is missing is that the play has a message that is so timeless, that it even stays true to this day. The message is so clear that even Friar Laurence in the book pokes fun at Romeo for being so quick to jump ship, the fact that Romeo never told Juliet that it has been like 12 hours. So yes, Romeo and Juliet should still be taught at schools, for it has many lessons to be taught when it comes to young love.

Imagine living a life, in today’s society, having one single letter define and determine everything you are and will be. Hester Prynne, a main character in the novel, The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, experiences this tragic feeling of judgment, guilt, dignity, confidence, and much more. She endures this because of an affair, causing her to bear a child, resulting in her becoming the face of sin and guilt by wearing the scarlet letter “A”. As Hester continues to wear the scarlet letter “A” throughout the novel, the significance of the symbol changes over time to shame, ability to cope with it, and eventually to honor, seen through Hester and different people.

The scarlet letter symbolizes punishment and shame in the novel, but different people have different outlooks on this symbol. As Hester Prynne leaves the prison, with a child created through sin in her hands, it is seen that “on the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery,…appeared the letter A…which she wore…but greatly beyond what was allowed by the sumptuary regulation of the colony” (Hawthorne, 46). This portrays her daughter, Pearl, and learns to love this letter and sees it as her mother’s identity and feels disconnected from her mother if it is not on. To Hester, it represent a part of her rebellion, as well, against the Puritan community because of their hidden shame. Hester seems to recognize this shame from the Puritans when Hawthorne says, “She felt an eye- a human eye – upon the ignominious brand, that seemed to give a momentary relief, as if half of her agony were shared” (72). The villagers saw Hester and the letter as a sign of their own sin, which was a very different opinion from others. The villagers always thought of her as a representation of guilt, confidence, or lust hidden inside. On the other hand, one villager expresses their opinion of the “A” when he says, “At the very least, they should have put the brand of a hot iron on Hester Prynne’s forehead'(59). Hester’s punishment was not seen as harsh, but was seen as lucky to the villagers. The villagers only saw the “A” as public punishment, and would rather Hester to be punished more because it was seen as sin. The villagers and others have mixed opinions on the scarlet letter and as to why she is wearing it. It was seen as a symbol of shame and disgrace, yet caused the villagers and others to question their own moral sins, and the actual meaning of the letter.

The scarlet letter comes to show later on, of a women’s ability and the strength of her own self. Now, certain villagers changes their thoughts and say, ‘[the scarlet letter is means] ‘Able’; so strong was Hester Prynne with a woman’s strength'(156). Hester endured all the torments without saying or doing anything in return. She is a strong and independent woman who raised a child and helped many others at the same time, and the villagers realized that Hester has worked hard. Another perspective was Hawthorne, who refers to Hester’s letter, as “the scarlet letter was her passport into region where other women dared not tread. Shame, Despair, Solitude!” (165). Before the word would mean adulteress or dishonor, but Hester now knows how to sympathize by helping others in need, through sewing or anything she could do, changing the word to signify “Able”. Nonetheless, the villagers see her as good and choose to believe the “A” represented womanhood. Similar to the quote above, Hester continues to resemble, “The letter [of] the symbol of her calling. Such helpfulness was found in her- so much power to do and power to sympathize- that many people refused to interpret the scarlet ‘A’ by its original significance”(134). Over time, it is proven that Hester is no longer seen as nothing more than shameful town adulterer and the community around begin to see her for who she would have been before the situation occurred. As everyone unfolds their perception of Hester, they begin to realize Hester is humble, capable, and able of womanhood.

At the novel’s end, Hester’s significant scarlet letter is ultimately seen in a different light and is now perceived as something that should be honored and becomes a powerful identity of Hester. Primarily, Nathaniel makes this case known through explaining, ‘the scarlet letter ceased to be a stigma which attracted the world’s scorn and bitterness, and became a type of something to be sorrowed over and looked upon with awe yet with reverence too'(213). This letter now showed love rather than cold sinful hearts within it and the village and Hester herself noticed this by embracing it. The villagers’ view of Hester and the letter “A” has transformed into the opposite of their original perspectives. From an outside perspective, such as the community she lived in, it is obvious there is a change in personality and overall wellbeing of Hester, “ She had returned, therefore, and resumed—of her own free will, for not…that iron period would have imposed it—resumed the symbol of which we have related so dark a tale.” (214-215). This letter resembled Hester’s eternal guilt, even though she is forgiven in the eyes of others, she harbors personal guilt. Hester did leave Boston, but soon returned because she felt it was the scene of her sin and that Boston is were she belongs. Hester creates the life where the scarlet letter is a symbol of overcoming and gaining knowledge rather than living a life of failure and guilt.

The Scarlet Letter’s symbolism brought out the perceptions of the village, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Hester herself as the symbol changes. The symbol was first seen as a symbol of shame, guilt, and sin that led the villagers to believe Hester was proud of what she had done and lucky with her punishment. In the middle of the novel, Hester embodies the letter “A” and this creates a new meaning for it, “Able” from the villagers’ point of view. Finally, Hester makes the letter seen as honorable and turns it into something that identity’s her personality, in a good way. Hester’s experience with the letter is something no one in today’s society will live, but she deals with it in a graceful way and a way that shows strong womanhood.