Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter: A Preview of the Early Modern Age

Abstract

The impact of the traditions of the sublime and the picturesque upon American painting and the literature of the Romantic period has been frequently examined, but the importance of these traditions in determining the structure and elements of The Scarlet Letter, one of the chief literary masterpieces of the age, has been little noticed. In the following essay, the author Nathaniel Hawthorne’s depiction of the era after the post-classical age i.e. the seventeenth century is put forward, illustrated through excerpts from the novel itself.

Introduction

Responding to a question about his fictional subject, William Faulkner insisted that he did not write about the South and the southern civilization save as they constituted the particular “country” he knew; his interest was the “human heart”. Similarly, Hawthorne wrote not only about his past and present, regions – explicitly – and on levels available to conscious control, but also from their regions insofar as his notions of “the heart” were inflected by their personal and cultural relationship to a distinctively local world and by the sense of life he introjected, half-unconsciously from its ethos. Over the course of his life, Hawthorne had four major habitations that were the scene and subject of his writing: Salem, MA, his ancestral home; Concord, MA; Liverpool, England, where he served as a consul; and Italy. Of all these, Salem – or New England – was not only his ancestral home but also the lens through which he processed all the others. Toward the end of the “The Custom-House”, Hawthorne wrote, with irrevocability, “Henceforth, it ceases to be a reality of my life. I am a citizen of nowhere else” (I: 4). It can be inferred that he never left Salem or divested himself of his identity-shaping ambivalence toward New England.

Through his literary compositions, Hawthorne came off – antithetically – as a regional historian and a cultural anthropologist. The Scarlet Letter, being concerned with the protagonist’s past’s intellectual and affective legacy for its descendants, is anthropologist Hawthorne’s myth of New England. The Scarlet Letter locates a major ligature between culture and literary text. On one level, the tale is about morality struggling for subsistence in the emerging New England; on another (that of the non-nuptial yet committed pair of Hester and Dimmesdale) about the growth of the soul; and on a third, about the inception of society in the passage to reality principle. It is evidently revealed that one could not escape the restricting terms, the neither/nor of the unrestrained philosophy of passion and a morbid denial of it; the conflicts and consequences of which are staged symbolically. The narrative shift from Boston as a Puritan community to Hester Prynne seems, if not to evade the problem of history, then at least to redistribute the allegorical weight of the tale from sociocultural to the moral and psychological. Through the fable, the story links itself with the narratives of the protagonist’s journey from an innocence that is ignorance to a sober awareness of life’s difficulties, all with a constant want for acceptance.

The first chapter, the Prison Door, starts off with the narrator setting the scene and introducing the characters and first of many symbols that will dominate the story. It is quite notable, in the very beginning, that Hawthorne went beyond his historical sources to emphasize on specific details, the likes of which is in the opening reference to the “gray, steeple-crowned hats” worn by Puritan men (47) and to his description of pastimes he added – “wrestling matches in the differing fashions of Cornwall and Devonshire”, “a friendly bout at quarterstaff” (231) – each of which is striking and picturesque but basically accurate.

Before briefly describing the crowd that had gathered around the scaffold, the congruity is taken to a generalization: “The founders of a new colony, whatever Utopia of human virtue and happiness they might originally project, have invariably recognised it among their earliest practical necessities to allot a portion of the virgin soil as a cemetery, and another portion as the site of a prison. In accordance with this rule it may safely be assumed that the forefathers of Boston had built the first prison-house somewhere in the Vicinity of Cornhill, almost as seasonably as they marked out the first burial-ground, on Isaac Johnson’s lot, and round about his grave, which subsequently became the nucleus of all the congregated sepulchres in the old churchyard of King’s Chapel.”

Chapter I: The Prison Door (47)

The Puritans believed that the world already knows sin, hence when the colonists (who, here, are referred to as fore-fathers) first settled in Boston, they quickly established a prison in the area of Cornhill and a cemetery on Isaac Johnson’s lot in their “Utopia” for they knew that crimes, misbehavior, evil, and death are inevitable. It, nevertheless, indicates hypocrisy and restrictiveness of Puritanism, a motif that was relevant throughout the fable. This belief merges into the general Puritan doctrine which emphasizes on the idea of original sin – the notion that no person is sinless since they are all born sinners being the initial transgressions of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. According to the narration, had it been a different place or time, the grim faces of the residents gathered would have suggested a terrible event like the impending execution of a criminal so ignominious that the court’s judgement would merely confirm the community’s verdict; but given the brutal Puritan character, it could be for a deed as trivial as a lazy servant, a notorious child, a religious heretic, or an Indian about to be publicly whipped.

The open social affairs at the jail and the scaffold, both of which are situated in focal normal spaces – additionally addresses another Puritan conviction: the conviction that sin saturates our reality as well as that it ought to be effectively searched out and exposed with the goal that it tends to be treated and punished publicly. Because they are chained to forms, rules, laws, structures, the Puritans have no tolerance for secrets; they take people as purely public beings who hate and fear anything that cannot be confided. The beadle strengthens this conviction when he calls for a “blessing on the righteous Colony of the Massachusetts, where iniquity is dragged out into the sunshine.” His conceited grandiosity propose that Hester’s mistreatment is fueled by more than the villagers’ quest for temperance. While uncovering sin is intended to support the miscreant and set an example for others, such tantrums accomplishes more than simply ensure the protection of the community. So, Hester turns into a scapegoat and the makes her an instrument for voyeuristic examination; it additionally gives the townspeople, particularly the women, an opportunity to illustrate – or persuade themselves regarding – their very own devotion and piety by censuring her as boisterously as could be expected under the circumstances. They put down their own offenses and instead of seeing their own potential sinfulness in Hester, the townspeople consider her to be somebody whose offenses outweigh and annihilate their very own mistakes.

The entire scene of the judgement day can be dilated into two generic distinctions: political and ecclesiastical. This dilation raises a question whether the communal aggression is because the protagonist has “sinned” in the sense of breaking a divine commandment or whether, instead, they think a social law is broken. Since the morals and the time are primitive, no contemporary interpretation can be definitively established as the ideal one; however, the intensity and repercussive measures for the situation suggest that the latter reason is taken into consideration more. The chapter’s utilization of symbols, just as their portrayal of the political truth of Hester Prynne’s reality, vouch for the inconsistencies in the Puritan culture.

Hawthorne provides yet another detailed representation of the early modern period through the symbolic description of the Governor Bellingham’s mansion in Chapter 7, The Governor’s Hall. The mansion replicated an English nobleman’s home which marks the fact that this was the first generation of colonists who had not completely Americanized yet. Bellingham’s ties to his birthplace suggest that he had brought with him the very things the Puritans sought to escape by leaving England: intolerance and freedom. On Bellingham’s walls are portraits of his forefathers who wear the stately and formal clothing of the Old World. Hawthorne says that, ‘All were characterized by the sternness and severity which old portraits so invariably put on; as if they were the ghosts, rather than the pictures, of departed worthies, and were gazing with harsh and intolerant criticism at the pursuits and enjoyments of living men.’

Chapter VII – The Governor’s Hall (113)

In the 21st volume of American Literary History (Fall, 2009) author Robert Milder stated that the “(dark) Puritans” stand as emblems of “the sternest cares of life” (IX: 65)1 and the ethos of Puritanism itself is “associated with something like adult reality” with “a childish indulgence that the mature person has outgrown” (211). This scenario provided evidence to the cited statement.

The sailors, the Indians, the Quakers, Reverend Blackstone, the indentured servant at Governor Bellingham’s – there are many points where an allusion reaches out to the complex and cultural local web of Puritans. However, there are many cases in The Scarlet Letter where the supernatural or, as Hawthorne preferred to call it, the marvelous, is real. Even though Hawthorne did not fail to accompany the supernatural events with alternative explanations, dismissing it would be a deterrent. The scarlet letter ‘A’ itself is a chief gothic element in the tale; the narrator, in a moment of palpable enthusiasm perhaps, says “..there glimmered the embroidery letter, with comfort in its unearthly ray.” The letter also had the capacity to inflict pain upon Hester, the pain may be no more than the constant aching of her guilt-burdened heart and the excruciating solitude. Through the lines, “Some affirmed that the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale, on the very day when Hester Prynne first wore her ignominious badge, had begun a course of penance—which he afterwards, in so many futile methods, followed out—by inflicting a hideous torture on himself. Others contended that the stigma had not been produced until a long time subsequent, when old Roger Chillingworth, being a potent necromancer, had caused it to appear, through the agency of magic and poisonous drugs. Others, again and those best able to appreciate the minister’s peculiar sensibility, and the wonderful operation of his spirit upon the body—whispered their belief, that the awful symbol was the effect of the ever-active tooth of remorse.”

Chapter XXIV – Conclusion (361)

Dimmesdale was burdened with guilt and the constant urge to confess his sins would not let him have peace within his own conscious – so much that he had begun a regimen of penance by inflicting a series of hideous tortures upon himself. At the end, he let his remorse push him into the philanthropy. On witnessing such a dramatic event, the community bode a bunch of explicable statements for the mark on his chest. Some believed that the sorcerer Chillingworth bore the mark on him with his medicines and herbs, while some (appreciably) noted Dimmesdale’s peculiar sensitivity towards the circumstances. Such marvelous assertions point out the fact that the early settlers’ community had a share of faith in sorcery and spirituality.

Simultaneously, the treatment of witches and rise in the science of witchcraft through the character of Mistress Hibbins, Governor Bellingham’s sister, adds to the gothic and paradoxical front. It is quite hypocritical that a woman who admittedly engages in satanic practices, is allowed to remain as an acknowledged member of the society, while Hester was made an outcast for falling prey to her passion.

One of the most prominent series of events that featured the drastic distinction in the perception of the scarlet letter ‘A’ of different classes of people. While the letter has many implied meanings, it also has particular and explicit meanings; the first and most ostensible meaning is for Adultery owing to the alleged-crime that Hester had committed; however, some people began to infer it as Able as a result of her charitable deeds; when the community sees a comet strike a scarlet ‘A’ in the sky for an Angel as it occurred on the night of John Winthrop’s death. Thus, throughout the course of the tale, an entire range of psychological conscious as well as subconscious perceptions of that period are encompassed through the interpretation of the scarlet letter ‘A’. Towards the end of the tale, the stigma had worn off the scarlet letter, thus depicting the end of the stern Puritan morals and the developing communities’ acceptance.

Works Cited

  1. SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on The Scarlet Letter.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2003. Web. 5 Dec. 2019.
  2. Stubbs, John C. “Hawthorne’s ‘The Scarlet Letter’: The Theory of the Romance and the Use of the New England Situation.” PMLA, vol. 83, no. 5, 1968, pp. 1439–1447. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/1261317.
  3. 1 Milder, Robert. “Hawthorne and the Problem of New England.” American Literary History, vol. 21, no. 3, 2009, pp. 464–491. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/20638603.
  4. Johnson, Claudia D. Understanding the Scarlet Letter: a Student Casebook to Issues, Sources, and Historical Documents. Greenwood Press, 1995.

The Scarlet Letter: Fed To The Rules And You Hit The Ground Running

Puritans aren’t anything like Americans today and there are many reasons as to why. Hester Prynne, a young Puritan unlike the rest, committed the sin of adultery. Throughout the book, “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the story of Hester unfolds. The struggles Hester faces of heartless punishments and publicly being shamed by wearing a letter on her chest for the rest of her life is emphasized throughout the book. Nothing like this could ever happen in society today. American today features many contrasting aspects, such as the way people are shamed and views on religion. Modern American society differs from Puritan society in a multitude of ways.

In today’s world, shame is something that one feels when doing something that isn’t accepted in the social norm. It is something that is felt deep inside and no one else knows about it. In Puritan society, shame was something someone needed to feel and that others had to know. In chapter 2, Hester is publicly shamed by the Puritan people (Hawthorne). She and her baby are on a scaffold for the public to see along with the scarlet letter printed on Hester’s chest. Today there is no such system in which people are shamed publicly. Modern America doesn’t hold public shaming sessions for their criminals. In fact, today everything is confidential first, then let out to the public. On page 76 of chapter 5, it states, “Thus the young and pure would be taught to look at her, with the scarlet letter flaming on her breast”(Hawthorne). The young are taught to look at Hester’s letter and shame her for the so called “crime.” Adultery is not a crime in today’s world. It is looked down upon, but no one will be punished for it. In some ways, people are shamed for adultery, such as the media if it’s a celebrity. But, no one will be called down for a trial and it will be compulsory for them to wear the letter “A” everywhere they go. If anything, nowadays shame is something people will instinctively feel after doing something that defies common morals. On page 198 of chapter 18 it is stated, “So speaking, she undid the clasp that fastened the scarlet letter, and, taking it from her bosom, threw it to a distance among the withered leaves” (Hawthorne). Hester throws off her “A” and perceives a sense of freedom. The shame she felt when wearing it had been wiped away as if it was a heavy burden upon her. Americans could never achieve such a level of shaming that a simple letter signifies immense guilt, especially not in today’s times. There are no letters as a punishment in which people are obliged to wear solely for the purpose that people could gawk and judge someone.

Subsequently, modern society is different from Puritan society because of the views on religion now. The Puritans were compelled to follow one god and all the rules that come with. In society today, there is freedom of religion, which Puritans never achieved. On page 57 of chapter 3 it states, “From this intense consciousness of being the object of severe and universal observation, the wearer of the scarlet letter was at length relieved by discerning, on the outskirts of the crowd, a figure which irresistibly took possession of her thoughts”(Hawthorne). Hester is being held for public shaming and the tension of this is described. During this event, the people in the crowd are discussing Hester’s punishment and want an even more savage punishment than she has already received. Actions among the crowd describe how the Puritan religion was tarnishing humanity amongst Puritans. The crowd had no remorse and wanted more of a cruel punishment for Hester for their own self betterment of image. People today don’t want others punished so they could look more holy or divine. In chapter 6, the people treat Pearl as if she is the devil for a decision which she had no control over (Hawthorne). The Puritans had molded Pearl into an outcast which could never occur in today’s society either. Today, no one would know if anybody is the product of adultery or not. In addition, Puritan leaders were in charge of everything as well as who lives with who. In chapter 7, Pearl is being taken away from Hester due to Pearl being a “demon child” (Hawthorne). This shows the controlling mannerisms Puritans had, which today’s society could never achieve. Without an indisputable reason, Hester would never lose custody of her child in today’s world.

Overall, Puritan society does not touch the surface of what modern American society is today. It would be considered downgrading American society if it were compared to the Puritans. The fact that today there aren’t public shame sessions and children that have no clue as to what they did wrong aren’t treated horribly, shows a sizeable dissimilarity. Along with the fact that modern rules regarding religion and Puritans rules regarding religion are like night and day. These points are astronomical and exemplify the struggles that were intensifying Hester’s punishment throughout the book. Humans have unquestionably evolved for the betterment of mankind, and it should stay that way.

The Affective Absurdity in The Scarlet Letter

Nathaniel Hawthorne, a great famous writer in the United Stated, was born a serious Puritanism family, his ancestors are prominent in the Puritan theocracy of 17th New England, thus readers can know Puritanism in his work. However, he expressed his different viewpoint in his works like The Scarlet Letter, the book’ plot develop in accordance with a beautiful wife derailed to a much-admired brilliant young clergyman, then the crime of adultery violate the mainstream consciousness of the society at that time, so all people despised it, the heroine of the novel -Hester Prynne had to wear a scarlet letter A, the theme of adultery and extramarital relationship is incompatible with Puritan culture at that time. In this book, the image of heroine is a promiscuous and obscene woman, as is in stark contrast with her passion to meet later life. As far as I am concerned, we can read the affective absurdity from the three protagonists’ spiritual world in The Scarlet Letter. Whether the timidity clergyman- Arthur Dimmesale or rebellious beautiful Hester Prynne, readers can find the absurdity on their words or behaviors. Now, as for specific analysis toward affective absurdity are following.

In the book The Scarlet Letter, young Hester married with a well- stricken scholar because of an offer of marriage, the unjustifiable marriage does not bring her happiness, living with a husband always indulges in books, lack care and consideration to his young wife, making Hester fell lonely and pulling her into a dark abyss of lasting sufferings. After two years of her husband disappeared, he met with her true love- Arthur Dimmesdale, a much admired brilliant clergyman. Love is something that people pursue instinctively, human beings are different with animals because of possessing love. Everyone has the reasonable right to pursue his true love and happiness, however, serous Puritanism deprive it. Absolutely, such marriage is a tragedy which should be discharge. However, puritans put it, whether you are miserable or happy, your marriage is under official protection and acquire recognition from the pubic, none can betray her husband and has to play a caring wife and adhere purely to her husband. It is a so affective absurdity for human being suppress their right to pursue the love freedom. Thus, the holy love between Hester and Arthur, regarding as a violation of Puritan law, is considered sinful and immoral.

Besides, the moral sin of adultery is worse than other crimes in Puritans’ eyes, such as robbery and murder, she must wear a scarlet letter A – a symbol of shame on her bosom from then on till death, it shows that once one made a mistake, he had no opportunity to atone for his crime, it is so absurd. What’ more, Puritans believe that God will punish the whole community with disease, famine, or other natural diseases if some members violate moral codes or express false beliefs. Apparently, it is an affective absurdity. All of town people humiliate, curse and glare at her, thinking Hester is devil doomed to go the hell. Although later Hester began to assist to poorer and sick people without any return, her kind heart still meets with cold response because all indifference town- people nurtured under the Puritan doctrines, they still recognize her as an evil and humiliate. It is not hard to image in this indifferent world, what is the really belief and values? It is the affective absurdity causing people become more and more indifference, and it already derail to original intention for Puritanism, not to salvation , but distort human nature. As matter of fact, as Nietzsche- a world-know German philosopher puts it, the death of God, human being should assume the obligation of standing on their own feet, taking power to recreate themselves.

The incarnation of Puritanism authority- Arthur Dimmesdale, violate the moral rule what he advocated, as if individual civil servants knowingly breaks the law today. This shows the so-called religious authority realized non authoritatively. After Hester was considered to commit an adultery, Arthur carried out his parochial obligation more selflessly, to seek self- therapy and ease his pain and anxiety in God’s will. Arthur Dimmesdale, as a role of father and lover, is unqualified, not only did he fail to take care of his daughter and lover, but he did not stand out, left Hester endured all kinds of sufferings. In fact, the suffering of Arthur caused by the suppression of human nature in Puritan society, the moral disciplines of Puritanism were fundamentally antithetical to human nature. Puritanism force people indulge into self-blame, making individual life experience pervert to a sin of atonement, it can not to solve the fundamental problems.as the saying, when angles meet, they will cry with shame, and the devil will laugh dumbly. From describing the image of Arthur, Hawthorne show the contradiction between religious belief and real life. Meanwhile, it can vividly show the affective absurdity indwell in Puritanism.

In the end, as the definition of absurdity defined by Camus, is the confrontation or an opposition, a conflict between human beings and the world, between man’ s rational demands and the irrational in the world. Human beings make an attempt to achieve their desires, but it seems to be impossible and unreasonable. In the book The Scarlet Letter, both Hester and Arthur’ desires are suppressed by Puritanism, all efforts did by Hester to find meaning in the universe is doomed to fail. Love between Hester and Arthur is affective absurdity in Puritans’ eyes. In fact, the affective absurdity is the confrontation what Hester bravely pursue her freedom of love, but it was impeded by the moral rules adhering by her so-called sweetheart, apparently, the affective absurdity doomed to pull Hester into the darkness abyss.

The Representation of Woman and her Life in The Scarlet Letter

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s famous The Scarlet Letter is a composition that held a lot of meaningful perspectives exploring the seventeenth century. The Scarlet Letter was originally published in 1850 by Hawthorne pointing out the hypocrisy that the Puritans did and the number of people who were condemned for life because of their sins. The novel The Scarlet Letter invokes the pretense of the term “lawful” and arouses the heart of every people to look more closely to the double standard society when it comes to wrong doings.

The Scarlet Letter‘s main point is to establish sins and knowledge in the broad light. The Puritans’ believed that the sins initially started from Adam and Eve thus, adultery is an abomination and immoral act. Being shamed until death gave the Puritans the satisfaction of shunning the sinner as a reminder of not doing it themselves. That somehow they are learning not to do unlawful acts in the eyes of God because they see others getting punishments. Hester and Dimmesdale ‘s tale is reminiscent of Adam and Eve ‘s story; in all instances, guilt ends in alienation and pain.

Hawthorne discussed the issue of women’s liberation by explaining how firmly Hester takes her own choices and seems to be capable of taking care of herself. The novel showed that women’s independence is possible despite the incurable sanctimony of the society. It is a positive theme he ventured on regardless of how women were forced to be dependent to men. Another issue that he discussed is the power of conscience. The conscience will not be forever silenced, there comes a day when it will insist to let go of the guilt and confess the wrongdoings. Societal pietism is another subject matter that was tackled in the famous novel. The Puritans had a very sensitive and highly exaggerated emotional idolization in God that they believe chosen ones are born to be perfect and pious and those who are not will be in hell. He crafted the novel into a reflection of a Puritan community.

However, there is a small nut noticeable weakness in The Scarlet Heart. The flaw in the story is how Pearl was described as the devil’s child. It is upsetting to see that a young sweet child became characterized as a devil’s spawn just because of her parentage. The child was innocent of her parents’ mistake; no born child should have to shoulder the evilness of judgemental people. She too was condemned for life as a creation of the devil like how Robert Chillingworth became the devil man himself. Robert Chillingworth was filled with revenged and anger that he did many things, proding questions that caused Dimmesdale to further torture himself. He chose to do these things, it was his will to be evil.

The Scarlet Letter is an incredible literary piece that tackled reality and the things that reality should have. Hawthorne described Dimmesdale as a weak hearted human being but he is the perfect example of what people should be, a listener of the conscience. He died telling the truth of his life, confessing his sins because he cannot bear them to be hidden from those who looked up to him. Moreover, his creation of Hester as a woman of firm determination, love, sacrifice and selflessness yet still capable of committing mistakes shows that there are no perfect person. All humans can do is to face their mistakes and lived by them while learning from it.

The Scarlet Letter: Living and Thriving in a Man’s World

A tale as old as time, the role of both man and women have long been set. These roles have been given that if not met, are faced with serious judgement. Standards have been held for as long as time has been recorded. Recent years the severity of meeting these roles have become much less important and more of a personal choice. Whereas, in the past these were crucial to survive in a cruel society that demands certain standards to become a way of living. “The Scarlett Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne for example, sees an act of adultery that sends a Puritan Community reeling to try and grasp an understanding of such a horrific betrayal. The reader will see how differently men and women are treated in this society as a result of said acts. The reader will also see how different the standards for either role was held in that certain time of history. The reader will also see the very notable differences in how man and woman take this judgement and either grow from it or cower in shame.

A woman and a symbol of shame; That was what the scolding bold red ‘A’ Hester was made to wear was theoretically supposed to represent. Instead, Hester chose to turn the negative into a positive and give her symbol a whole new meaning. The purpose of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter,” was to reveal the level of hypocrisy the Puritan life really led in those times. The drama begins with Hester Pryne marrying a scholar, Roger Chillingworth, at a very young age. Chillingworth proceeds to send Hester to America but fails to follow her. It is in those times that follow that Hester has an affair with Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale. The act then results in a child, Pearl. Seeing as the setting of the story is around the 17th century, even just the idea of adultery is unfathomable. The actual act sends Hester into alienation at the hands of the puritan community. Hester is as stated earlier forced to wear the scarlet ‘A’ to shame her. She, however, chooses to let the symbol make her stronger and wears the bold ‘A’ with dignity. Although meant to represent her adultery, to Hester “the letter was 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 satisfaction. They said that is meant Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman’s strength” (146). Hester is able to sway the community’s judgement solely using her strength and positive attitude towards the situation. As the story progresses, the community halts the alienation and begins to accept Hester back into society. The way this woman takes such a negative reaction and allows the pain to help her instead of diminish her, is a prime example of how women are able to grow from tough judgement despite set standards being broken.

Society has long held women to different standards than men and this story is no different. Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale was just as big a part of the affair as Hester but he did not get a fraction of the same treatment. Hester refused to name him to the townspeople and Dimmesdale did nothing to own up to the act himself. As mentioned a child came from the affair, and Dimmesdale still refused to stand up and claim his child. The way this woman takes such a negative reaction and allows the pain to help her instead of diminish her, is a prime example of how women are able to grow from tough judgement despite set standards being broken. He wore his shame in secret and it eventually began to eat away at him. His metaphorical scarlet ‘A’ was such a heavy burden his shame over the matter began to become evident. When Dimmesdale questions, “happy are you Hester that wear the scarlet letter openly upon your bosom! Mine burns in secret,” his mortification over the matter is beginning to be expressed (151). His expressions show how a man cannot handle defying society’s standards. He allowed the shame to consume him instead of learning from the experience.

The differences of men and women’s reactions to standards is notable in the “The Scarlet Letter.” Hester is strong and better off as result of the act of sin, whereas Dimmesdale’s character is weakening as his mind overpowers him. This story highlights the strong female who does not allow society’s judgement and torment to deter her character. “Hester comes to accept her fate. She feels that in staying in Salem and accepting her punishment; in protecting the secrets of both her lover and her husband, she has accommodated her guilt, and made peace with God and the community” (The Scarlet Letter–A Story of Adultery, Shame, And Moral Conflict.). Whereas, the male lead in this story is a weak coward who cannot face the repercussions of his actions and needs saving. Dimmesdale’s “moral posture and his sinfulness – soon began to completely disassemble him” (The Scarlet Letter–A Story of Adultery, Shame, And Moral Conflict.). This story shows exactly what happens when standards are broken and society is clueless on how to deal with their ideals not being met.

One of the most important symbols in this story was a character, Pearl. She is the product of the unforgivable sin and the way the community treats her is a direct result of their opinions on the matter. An illegitimate child is always a reminder of the affair. In the past, being an illegitimate child was not just a crime against god but also a crime against the puritan community. Pearl is not just a constant reminder of the affair, her role in society is at the bottom. The torment and alienation her mother receives is all she’s ever known. Her own father does not claim her because he too fears what society will do to him when he does. Yet, Pearl is still a symbol of hope. She does not let the negativity define her. She is very much aware of her situation and yet, her mother still sees her as a blessing. To try and find a better future, Pearl moves from the town. She “symbolizes that even though one is condemned, that doesn’t mean one’s life is over. Pearl managed to drag herself from the bottom of the social ladder to the very top” (Latta). She refused to allow society’s standards to control her and she was better off for it.

Around this period, women were still inferior to man. The puritan community held women to many more standards than man. Any attempts to break apart from these standards would result in alienation and condemnation. This specific community as did many others, believed women did not deserve the same rights as man. The community’s treatment towards Hester is a perfect example of how society does not place much value on a woman. Hester is punished by having stones hailed at her and alienated all over one moment of weakness. Her strong character was made to challenge these ridiculous standards. Hawthorne purposely highlighted how a woman was either a complete angel of devil. There was no in between with this community. Women either had to be perfect or would be seen as a complete heathen. Hawthorne’s female lead, however, refused to conform. Hester was neither an angel nor a devil, she was human. She understood her mistakes and still found her redemption. The women who spoke against these ideals were often judge and ridiculed as the community believed “the whole system of society is to be torn down, and built up anew…before women can be allowed to assume what seems a fair and suitable position” (115). Hester goes above such standards as she is driven to rebel against a society who is so keen on keeping women inferior.

The Scarlett Letter further adds to ridiculous gender roles set in the puritan community by idolizing men. Men have long always been written as the tough unbreakable characters. Being seen as the superior gender, men were held to their own standards too. In the political structure of the Massachusetts colony, the “female sex remains entirely unrepresented and the powerful hold of patriarchy is maintained by the exclusively male government” (Eeckman). It was a man’s world in which women would only participate when “given” permission. This story does a great job and contradicting the puritan beliefs. The Puritan Society wanted to hold the men to such a high pedestal and yet it was the men who could not handle the repercussions of their actions. It was the men who could not handle their emotions. It was the men who weakened from the shame. Although men are usually written as the hero, Hawthorne compared the “Black Man” to a man not a woman. Hawthorne writes, “In a word, old Roger Chillingworth was a striking evidence of man’s faculty of transforming himself into a devil, if he only, for a reasonable space of time, undertake a devil’s office” to highlight the comparison (116). The men in this story in no way represent the tough brave role society has led them to believe they are. Instead the male characters in this story only cower when faced with their actions. Dimmesdale gives in to fear, while Chillingworth gives into revenge. Both characters fail to be what is expected of them.

The period of time this story is set in is so significant due to the major changes society was currently undergoing. Hawthorne meant for the Scarlett Letter to touch on certain issues that were arising in the 17th century. Women were beginning to question their limited roles and strive for more. The wanted to be included. They wanted the same rights as men. Although never clearly stated, Hester’s actions and belief correlate with feminism. Hawthorne purposely made Hester as the strong character in order to parallel what was presently occurring in history. Contradicting the puritan belief that women were weak, Hawthorne makes it very clear that the women in this story are strong. They overcome their obstacles and grow from them. Ironically the men in this novel are painted as the cowards. The Scarlet Letter “deeply reveals not only the Puritan’s bitterness and the women’s hardship, but also the strength of the Puritan consciousness and the lowness of the women’s status” (Ahmad). The contradictions are used to reveal the level of hypocrisy and ridicule that were instilled in this puritan society. In doing so, Hawthorne displays how one act can either define you and help grow as an individual or you can allow it to weaken you. Dimmesdale and Chillingworth allow the act of adultery to diminish their characters, whereas Hester and Pearl become stronger and wiser from the ordeal.

Standards have long been established in society in order to try and keep people in check. When individuals attempt to break away from these standards, society meets them with judgement. Society often fears change, but with time welcomes it. The Scarlett Letter displays just that. Hester is anything but the ordinary puritan woman. She goes against many of their values and comes to accept herself for who she is. She then proceeds to teach others to do the same. This strong female character persevered while the men around her cowered. In a society where women are not seen as very worthy, Hester showed that standards only matter if you let them. Present day, these same standards do not hold much importance as time has allowed individuals to reveal they are not important. As history changes, as do the standards. The Scarlett Letter reminds us all to go against standards in order to ignite change.

Work Cited

  1. Ahmad, Zaheer. “Hester Prynne as a Rebel to Puritan Society in Hawthorne’s Romance the Scarlet Letter.” IISTE.org. Pp. 1-4. 2015. https://www.iiste.org/Journals/index.php/JPCR/article/viewFile/22782/22846.
  2. Eeckman, Sylvia. “Women in The Scarlet Letter.” July 2008. https://lib.ugent.be/fulltxt/RUG01/001/289/370/RUG01-001289370_2010_0001_AC.pdf.
  3. Hawthorne, Nathaniel. “The Scarlet Letter”. Boston: Ticknor, Reed & Fields, 1850; Bartleby.com, 1999.
  4. Latta, Charlie. “Pearl’s Symbolism.” Teen Ink, 7 February, 2014. www.teenink.com/nonfiction/academic/article/618004/Pearls-Symbolism.
  5. ‘The Scarlet Letter–A Story of Adultery, Shame, And Moral Conflict.” Uncle Guido’s Facts. Chekhov’s ‘Uncle Vanya’–Time, Inaction, And Regret, 1 November, 2015. www.uncleguidosfacts.com/2015/11/the-scarlet-lettera-story-of-adultery.html.

Science Fiction Essay Example

ABSTRACT

In recent years, science fiction has become a favorite spotlight among other genres, from Tony Stark’s Iron Man suit to hi-tech world of Wakanda. In fact, science fiction has been a fellow of human evolution since the primitive of the science and technology era. By analyzing in depth the typical sub-genres with examples and comparisons between sci-fi creations, this research paper aims to point out the actual influences of science fiction to the human society and technology evolvement in shaping the modern world and securing the path to a bright future. The result from this description could help us understand the further meaning of science fiction and the relationship between this fiction genre and the modern world.

INTRODUCTION

In the year of 1818, Mary Shelley – the Mother of Science Fiction, as many people called her – lit up the first spark for the genre of science fiction – Sci-fi – with Frankenstein (or The Modern Prometheus) . More than two centuries later, the science fiction genre has been restlessly developing itself, alongside with the society. Through such amount of time, history noted uncountable remarkable sci-fi creators – Jules Verne, HG Wells representing the books or Christopher Nolan, Steven Spielberg representing the movies. Extraordinary sci-fi works were also created in a variety range of categories; particularly marked from the old-school Star Wars, Star Trek to the iconic Blade Runner, Interstellar or Inception.

Science fiction means differently to each individuals; some see the human’s unlimited imagination within, many consider it the proof of human being’s society reaching their dreams or to others it reflects their dreams towards the future. However, in a big picture, science fiction is one of the primary thing that have shaped the modern world and will shape the future. The objective of this research is to investigate in depth the relationship between science fiction and the society, how science fiction influences the world, focusing on society and on technology. The research will illustrate three particular ways science fiction impacting the world, which in this paper will be known as Technology & Society Inspiration, Forming the Concept of the Future and Balance among Society, which will be discussed by three science fiction sub-genres – Adventurous Science fiction, Dystopian Science fiction and Social Science fiction correspondingly.

TECHNOLOGY DREAMS & INSPIRATION

The effects of Exploratory Science fiction

Science fiction sparks the dreams for innovation and keeps them burning. When telling stories of living robots or races in space, science fiction does not give the exact answer of how to get that future. Moreover, it encourages something that is more logically prior to technological mastery: the stimulation of imagination and identification of human desires towards those advanced worlds. However dreaming these science fiction desires can be, they are originally from human’s needs and therefore, they are technically possible . 20,000 Leagues under the Sea (1870, Vern, J.) and From the Earth to the Moon (1865, Vern, J.) – two creations of Jules Vern, considering as monuments from the beginning of science fiction genre – portrayed the similar idea.

20,000 Leagues under the Sea narrates the Nautilus – a large submarine and its adventures around the world’s oceans at great depth of 20,000 leagues (~80,000 kilometers) under the sea. In the story, the Nautilus is equipped with full of technologies so advanced that science at that time could only dream of; like huge windows that people can watch the view around or machine that turns sea-water drinkable. Vern preferred imagining the all the desiring future over trying to figure out how to make them in real life. However, the history proved those imagines of him are actually possible. Vern’s popular books didn’t help the scientists, but the effects in the long run were perhaps more significant. It fostered the dreams, which – later on – came to be viable .

In From the Earth to the Moon, Verne imagines that the United States would launch a mission to the moon, which is made of aluminium (which turned out to be correct). He gives an unimaginable vast price tag to the venture; the equivalent of more than the entire GDP of France at the time. And that, too, turned out to be a respectable guess at how much the Apollo programme would cost.

However dreamy it seems, Vern was not against science. Instead, by simply putting aside the question how and concentrating on the idea that it would be wonderful to do such kind of thing, he brought small pieces of the future into people’s mind long before science can be able to make it real. At the end, the world must answer the question how, but science fiction reminds to concentrating on imagine the future first, as it will happen eventually .

At this point, looking back at recent modern sci-fi creations and imaginary things like Black Hole Exploration (Interstellar, 2014), Human consciousness transfer into Computer (Transcendence, 2014) or Tony Stark’s Nanotech Armor (Avengers: Infinity War, 2018), are not just fantasy at all. At some point, they will totally be possible.

FORMING THE CONCEPT OF THE FUTURE

The effects of Dystopian Science fiction

As a genre, science-fiction is one of wonder and magnificence. Specifically, technology plays a huge role in sci-fi stories. With a typical science-fiction story, a significant advance or change in technology prevails, or an enormous change occurs in cultural norms. Most of the time, the science-fiction story will be a combination of the two. However, these stories may not be as farfetched in principle as they may seem at first glance. In fact, many science-fiction stories are based out of real-world strife.

Besides of the advanced future kind of science fiction, there is also an opposite kind called Dystopian Science fiction. In which, the imaginary worlds conceived as being dark or pessimistic, they appear with a society where people are miserable and depressed by how the world is set up, usually because of negative impacts from technology evolvement . Wall-E should be typical examples for this sub-genre of science fiction.

Wall-E (Pixar, 2008) – a Family-fun animated movie but caries a dystopia weight – follows a Wall-E, a trash compactor robot, in a deserted Earth, where all people left behind for a new life in space. In which, behind the love story of two robots – Wall-E and Eve – a disappointing reality has been displayed: The Earth has been heavily damaged by an over-controlled amount of trash; People are obese, lazy and dependent on technology; Social interactions are destroyed. The Earth in Wall-E is in fact similar to the real Earth, it also suffers from the dark-side of modernization and industrialization – trash over-control, obesity, technology over-use – yet in different scale .

In Wall-E, the fear of technology misdirection and take-over have also been mentioned when the evil autopilot robot refuse to allow human to return to the Earth and even rises against the captain. As a science fiction fear, the fear of robots taking over, aliens’ invasions or, in another saying, humanity losing freedom has been a rising topic for a massive number of sci-fi creations lately. As this era of technology and science is about to be at the peak of its growth, when AI – Artificial Intelligence – and smart robotic machines are turning to existence, the fear is no longer a recreating fantasy for books or movies. Looking back at Bio-engineered Androids Take-over in Blade Runner (1982) or AI Rebellion in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), they are now more like warnings for the future science, reminding them to take careful steps on the path of conquering technology.

BALANCE AMONG SOCIETY

Science fiction is also descriptive. Technology is indeed an essential part of the genre. Yet not always it is used as the center of the story. Creators used science fiction as reflections of social issues, emphasis on personal psychology and interactions; while technology play only a role on how it affects individuals or social groups. This forms the terms of Social science fiction, which is primarily concerned with the often problematic effects of technology and science on humans and human society. In returns, science fiction itself is also in the social field, characterized by its own cultures, logics, and inequalities as its progress formed along with human history .

This particular sci-fi sub-genre was not so popular until lately, especially when technology and science have significantly covered most aspects of social life. For this specific issue, there is a simple logic: When one technology is overused, it will be counter-productive, which can clearly be seen in smart devices and networking abuse within social interactions and relationships. This entire logic is being used in social sci-fi, yet in the future or with futuristic types of technology.

The Black Mirror TV series (2011) perfectly interpret the same message. Each of the 19 episodes is a distinctive world, in which the technology-mediated lives of future humans are shown to be full of both incredible potential and horrific pitfalls. However, those societies are set in a near-future context, in which the creators simply take the advanced technology that are relevant to nowadays and show the audience the dangers beneath it. One example is on display in The National Anthem (Season 1 – Ep.1 – 4 December, 2011). In this episode, a man or entity forces the Prime Minister to perform copulation with a pig on live TV as a ransom, while holding a British princess hostage with only basic technology.

In another example, in Nosedive (Series 3 – Ep.1 – 21 October, 2016), the world get to a point where everything in society functions based on likes and people are obsessed with their virtual ratings. The main character, Lacie, started as a quite successful women with pretty high rating in her virtual social network. Though, one day her life fell down as quickly as her ratings and in only a short amount of time, she became a social inferior and ended up in jail while she appeared to be a person with a kind heart. However, in jail, she could see clearly, speak up without deceit and live by her true natural feelings . This convey another message to the audience, that however innovated the world can possibly be, social interaction matters, relationship matters, moral matters.

CONCLUSION

There is still much to explore and to invent in a modern technology and there are no limits to the human imagination. However, acknowledging the boundaries between construction and destruction helps keeping the world revolution on the right path, too.

After two decades of birth and growth, science fiction literature and cinematography has proven to have a great impact on a modern science, technology and society.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

  1. Adler, J. (2017, November 15). Life, and how it can “Nosedive” from the Effect of Technology. Retrieved from https://medium.com/@jaclynadler/life-and-how-it-can-nosedive-from-the-effect-of-technology-236caeae0883
  2. Baccolini, R. (2004). The Persistence of Hope in Dystopian Science Fiction. Special Topic: Science Fiction and Literary Studies: The Next Millennium, 119(3), 518-521: Modern Language Association.
  3. Gunn, E. (2014). How America’s leading Science Fiction Authors are shaping your future. Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/how-americas-leading-science-fiction-authors-are-shaping-your-future-180951169/
  4. Huntington, J. (1975). Science Fiction and the Future. College English, 37(4), 345-352. DOI: 10.2307/376232: National Council of Teachers of English.
  5. Hrund, L. (2017, September 25). Wall-E: dystopia/utopia. Retrieved from https://prezi.com/ouozdt5gkxmw/wall-e-dystopiautopia/
  6. Nichols, M. (2018 October 30). How does Science Fiction Influence Society. Retrieved from https://www.schooledbyscience.com/how-does-science-fiction-influence-society/
  7. The School of Life. (.n.d). Innovation and Science Fiction. Retrieved from https://www.theschooloflife.com/thebookoflife/innovation-science-fiction/

The Scarlet Letter: Societal Stereotypes and Identity

Our identity is fictional, written by parents, relatives, education, and society. Parents and relatives form children to follow their principles. Society demands that we present an identity that can be comfortably cataloged. We are no longer accepted for ourselves. Judgment based on culture, religion and a plethora of other expectations has created a world filled with formidable situations, filling the minds of many with despondent thoughts. Culture and societal expectations affect the growth of our society and change many identities. Through an analysis of the setting and specific examples from the novel entitled, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the theme of societal expectations affecting one’s character is clearly evident through the conflict presented to Hester and her peers, and their ravenous attempts at normality, even with the persistent reminder of the standards of their setting and not being accepted by society.

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel is an example of the intellectual human conflict between emotion and the odds of society. The setting of the story takes place in Boston society before the America Revolution. This setting constitutes an idea of the values of the people in the area, who were named puritans. The Puritans were a Protestant Christian sect that had broken off from the Church of England. They believed that salvation is predestined. Being Successful and having pure love your religion were seen as a manifestation of salvation. The Puritans also believed that all evil is inherited within you at birth and everyone is born sinful, due to Adam and Eve’s original sin. The name ‘Puritan’ comes from the idea of purity and is a reflection of how they are trying to create a pure society. Puritans attempted to have purity permeated throughout every being of their society.

Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale are both characters set in this setting of puratin ideals in the novel. These two characters are drawn to each other by desires,that can not be controlled by the religious or social intuitions. They follow their impulses, which lead toion and reproduction. Adulteress Hester Prynne must wear a scarlet A to mark her shame, leading to a plethora of people spurning her. Her lover remains unidentified throughout most of the story to the townspeople, however, internalling, is wracked with guilt, while her husband, Roger Chillingworth, seeks revenge. Hawthorne includes fairly detailed descriptions of the physical surroundings of the characters, which deeper flourishes the theme of the novel. These setting descriptions illustrate the theme of how society is affected by the expectations of their surroundings. For example, in the scene at the Governor’s mansion, he focuses on how Governor Bellingham “had planned his new habitation after the residences of gentlemen of fair estate in his native land” by describing details like the stone towers, the beautiful books, portraits and a suit of armor. This setting highlights the power of tradition, government, and the rule of law. All of these aspects significantly impact the life of Dimmesdale and Hester by punishing them for their affair and preventing them from freely following their hearts.

Not only is the theme on social unacceptance prevalent through Hester and Dimmesdale, but it is also personified through Pearl, their daughter. Pearl was the product of natural the forbidden love impulses and exhibits a personality that aligns her with nature, rather than society. She is a wild and impulsive child, and the narrator attributes Pearl’s personality to the circumstances under which she was conceived: “In giving her existence, a great law had been broken; and the result was a being, whose elements were perhaps beautiful and brilliant, but all in disorder.” Because she was concieved through the intrucourse of adultresses, Pearl is described several times as the “devil” throughout the book.

The novel’s climax, the key scene where Dimmesdale, Hester, and Pearl are finally reunited, takes place in the woods. This location highlights the tension between society and its expectations. Dimmesdale states , “I seem to have flung myself—sick, sin-stained, and sorrow-blackened—down upon these forest leaves and to have risen up all made anew.” The experience of being in the natural world, unseen by society with their judgmental outlooks, seems to have a healing effect on his slowly deteriorating body and soul. Dimmesdale’s obsessive guilt occurs because he worries about social and religious rules,however, when entering a space where those rules do not apply, he immediately begins to feel better. After this experience takes place in the woods, they return to the village where Dimmesdale is again slowly dying. Moments before his death, he confesses his sins in an attempt to die without these sins weighing down on him. while all of the townspeople look down upon Hester for committing adultery, Dimmesdale is never brought to justice for his sin. Hester had to spend time in jail and be publicly shames on the scaffold in front of the whole town while Dimmesdale continued working in the church. Hawthorne uses this example to show the flaws of a justice system that bases its laws off of religion. He wants to show that it creates an unfair environment that allows for no error. After Hester is caught committing adultery she is judged by all the townspeople. They all look down on her, mock her, and insult her. Even the poor insult her like in chapter 13 the narrator tells the reader “ She never battled with the public, but submitted uncomplainingly to its worst usage; she made no claim upon it, in requital for what she suffered; she did not weigh upon its sympathies.” The narrator is telling the reader about Hester’s character and how wonderful she is as a person. Somehow though she still faces constant judgment of her character, which is mistakenly believed to be evil by the townspeople. Yet everybody looks up to Arthur Dimmesdale for all of his good deeds because of the social biases of the time period.

The time period of this novel further amplifies the impacts of societal expectations on the townspeople. Through the analysis of the setting, a town filled with judgement in a corrupt society, readers can extrapolate the difficulties of living in this era and the plethora of effects it has on the characters in the novel.

Main Themes of the Novel The The Scarlet Letter

In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne tells the story of an affair between Hester Prynne and Rev. -Arthur Dimmesdale two members of the Puritan community of Massachusetts Bay Colony during the 1640s. When Roger Chillingworth, Hester’s long-lost husband, arrives in the colony and discovers the affair, he is consumed by a desire for revenge. For Hawthorne, revenge is an all consuming cancer, destroying the mind, body, and spirit. In the devastation it creates, revenge proves itself possibly one of the greatest sins described in the novel.

Another theme is the sense of sin as one of the major themes that appear from the first chapter from the discovery of the story and the scarlet letter. However, not only is sin mean an act against religious norms, but also a rebellion against social traditions. The passionate act of Hester and Dimmesdale which is considered as adultery, and when caught Hester is sentenced. However, Dimmesdale remains free due to his position, status, and influence. This sense of sin in the case of Dimmesdale becomes a psychological guilt. He goes through very intense depression and trauma to stay silent and to save himself. Therefore, the sense of sin is the major theme of the novel.

The Scarlet letter was set in the 1600s. Boston was founded in 1630, and by the 1640s there were about 25 000 English settlers in the area. Many of these individuals had left England because they were dissatisfied with the Anglican Church and sought religious freedom for their varied beliefs. Once they immigrated to the Colonies, Puritans were able to set up a society where they could make values like modesty and obedience central in the community. Hawthorne is quite specific about establishing the setting of the novel. In the frame narrative of the “Custom House” preface, the narrator discovers a document which specifies that Hester “flourished during the period between the early days of Massachusetts and the close of the seventeenth century.” In the first chapter, the prison house is described as it was “some fifteen or twenty years after the settlement of the town.”

Hawthorne includes fairly detailed descriptions of the physical surroundings in order to illustrate the theme of nature versus society. For example, in the scene at the Governor’s mansion, he focuses on how Governor Bellingham “had planned his new habitation after the residences of gentlemen of fair estate in his native land” by describing details like the stone towers, the beautiful books, portraits and even a suit of armor. This setting highlights the power of tradition, government, and the rule of law. Hawthorne also spends a lot of time describing the forest where the lovers eventually meet, and showing it as a more benevolent setting. The sunshine, the breeze, the babbling brook, and the woodland creatures all seem sympathetic and welcoming to a group of characters who are often ostracized in other settings. The contrasting settings of nature and civilization reveal the central tension that makes it impossible for Hester and Dimmesdale to live a happy life together.

Even though The Scarlet Letter is about Hester Prynne, the book is not so much a consideration of her innate character as it is an examination of the forces that shape her and the transformations those forces effect. We know very little about Hester before her affair with Dimmesdale and her public shaming. The early chapters of the book suggest that, prior to her marriage, Hester was a strong-willed and impetuous young woman. The fact that she has an affair also suggests that she once had a passionate nature. But it is what happens after Hester’s affair that makes her into the woman with who the reader is familiar with. Shamed and alienated from the rest of the community, Hester becomes contemplative. She speculates on human nature, social organization, and larger moral questions. Hester also becomes a kind of compassionate maternal figure as a result of her experiences. Hester is also maternal with respect to society: she cares for the poor and brings them food and clothing. By the end of the novel , Hester has become a protofeminist mother figure to the women of the community. The shame attached to her scarlet letter is long gone. Women recognize that her punishment stemmed in part from the town fathers’ sexism.

Hester’s daughter, Pearl, functions primarily as a symbol. She is quite young during most of the events of this novel and her real importance lies in her ability to provoke the adult characters in the book. She asks them pointed questions and draws their attention to the denied or overlooked truths of the adult world. In general, children in The Scarlet Letter are portrayed as more perceptive and more honest than adults, and Pearl is the most perceptive of them all.

Pearl makes us constantly aware of her mother’s scarlet letter and of the society that produced it. From an early age, she fixates on the emblem. Pearl’s innocent, or perhaps intuitive, comments about the letter raise crucial questions about its meaning. Similarly, she inquires about the relationships between those around her, most important the relationship between Hester and Dimmesdale, and offers perceptive critiques of them. Pearl provides the text’s harshest, and most penetrating, judgment of Dimmesdale’s failure to admit to his adultery. Once her father’s identity is revealed, Pearl is no longer needed in this symbolic capacity; at Dimmesdale’s death she becomes fully “human,” leaving behind her otherworldliness and her preternatural vision.

The Scarlet Letter is a novel about what happens to a strict, tight-knit community when one of its members commits a societal taboo, and how shame functions in both the public and private realms of life. In telling the story of the adulterous but virtuous Hester Prynne; her weak, tormented lover Dimmesdale; and her vengeance-minded husband, Chillingworth, Hawthorne explores ideas about the individual versus the group and the nature of sin. The first chapter introduces the main character, Hester, emerging from the prison wearing a dress marked with a scarlet letter “A,” and carrying her baby, Pearl. By opening the action of the book after Hester and Dimmesdale’s infidelity has already taken place, Hawthorne establishes the themes of the book as sin, guilt, and remorse, rather than forbidden passion.

After the initial framing device of the introduction, told from the point of view of two hundred years after the events positioning the story as an embroidered version of true events. The narrator maintains this “based on a true story” effect by referring to rumors and reports handed down through the years, such as when he describes the mark on Dimmesdale’s chest, saying “according to these highly respectable witnesses.” He explains several of the theories of how the mark could have gotten there, but does not identify any of them as being the correct answer. By not always providing a single, fixed explanation, Hawthorne raises questions about the nature of truth and storytelling, as well as peoples’ tendency to fabricate stories out of real life events.

The Scarlet Letter is a novel that deals with the never-ending theme of sin and revenge. Throughout history, people have committed all types of sins, and whether they are major or minor, people have been punished. In The Scarlet Letter we get to experience these themes through well written text and imagery written by hawthorne, we also get to read about unique characters and very real situations that happened back then. In conclusion, this novel was a very intense, unique read for everyone.

Mainstream Science Fiction And Black Marginalization

Throughout its history, science fiction is associated and dominated by white male writers, readers, editors, and protagonists (Salvaggio, 1984, p. 78). Carrington (2016) has used the expression “The Whiteness of Science Fiction” to refer to two things: first, “the overrepresentation of white people among the ranks of SF authors,” and second, to “the overrepresentation of white people’s experiences within SF texts” (p. 16). The white science fiction author, Edgar Rice Bourroughs has assumed that “White men have imagination, Negroes have little, and animals have none” (as cited in Testerman, 2012, p. 45). Charles R. Saunders, a black science fiction author, provides a sharp comment about the situation of the genre. According to him, science fiction is “as white as a Ku Klux Klan meeting,” and “a black man or woman in a space-suit was an image beyond the limits of early science fiction writers’ imagination” (as cited in Jarret, 2013, p. 361). This is, to a great extent, due to the marginalization of blacks from the genre. Saunders has criticized the Golden Age of science fiction, considering it as a period where “science was a king whose court was closed to blacks” (as cited in Jarret, 2013, p. 399).

The tropes that reflect the colonial gaze towards the other exotic cultures started to emerge and developed when the European countries started to implement their imperial projects in the non-western countries; “Science Fiction has been an uncanny site of encountering others” (Myungsung, 2017, p. 8). In an encounter with an alien in mainstream science fiction, the alien is depicted as an “other.” In many situations, this “other” is represented as an “Enemy.” In other words, he/she is portrayed as “a source of imminent danger, even extinction, for human race” (Edwards, 2011, p. 3). However, a question comes to mind about the nature and the identification of this alien other. Helen Marrick elucidates that the alien can “signify everything” that is “other to the dominant audience” including blacks (as cited in Edwards, 2011, p. 3). Adam Roberts (2000) explains that the depiction of the other is predominately linked to blackness. He demonstrates that in Ridley Scott movie, Alien (1977), the alien is “a black-skinned monster” which kills “via a ghastly combination of rape and violence.” He concludes that it does not “take much cultural decoding to see this as an expression of white middle-class fear at the potential for distrust of an alienated black urban underclass” (p. 119). In Predator by John McTiernan, the alien is represented as a barbarous hunter who has dreadlocks, which is a clear indication of blackness. He is living in a jungle and he violently kills the Western colonizers. This disguised way of representation has become clearer in the sequel when the action moves from the jungle to a new place which is the urban battlefield of Los Angeles, “another more politically loaded location for white fears of black violence, with the alien joining in the gang war” (p. 120).

In western science fiction, the Machines signify in a particular way a racial allegory. These machines “serve as a medium for their representation in the guise of exotic automata.” (Russell, 2018, p. 92). The androids refer to the non-whites who are the symbols of rebellion and menace:

The androids – that’s another thing. Just like the Negroes […] they must be kept down at all costs, never a moment being permitted to regard themselves as equals to the white man. Because if they did, they might get it into their heads to demand equal rights, and that would mean the end of the white man’s supremacy (Russell, 2018, p. 92-93).

The black science fiction writer Samuel Delany explains that the major problem that faces black writers is the exclusion from the science fiction community. In Racism and science fiction (2000), he explains how racism is still persisting in the science fiction community:

Racism as a system. As such, it is fueled as much by chance as by hostile in tensions and equally by the best intentions as well. It is whatever systematically acclimates people, of all colors, to become comfortable with the isolation and segregation of the races, on a visual, social or economic level which in turn supports and is supported by socioeconomic discrimination (p. 394).

African-American writers are the victims of the publishing policy because the European-American culture is dominating the scene. Delany has experienced a sense of racism within the science fiction community. When he has finished his novel, Nova, he has submitted it to Analog magazine of science fiction. The editor John W. Campbell has told him that his story is great, but his black protagonist will not be convenient to the readers, “for heaven’s sakes, he’s got a Negro for a protagonist! It’s a good book, but our readers aren’t going to be able to identify with that” (as cited in Jarret, 2013, p. 361). According to Campbell, the mother of the character is from Senegal, so the readers can notice that the character is black despite the fact that his father is from Norway (as cited in Testerman, 2012, p. 49). He has refused to publish it. However, Delaney sees that he is right by presenting a black character: “I wanted to write about worlds where being black mattered in different ways it matters now.” After one year, the same editor has written a letter to Dean Koontz, a horror writer, in which he explains that “a technologically advanced black civilization is a social and biological impossibility.” There are two white science fiction writers who have labeled Delany by sarcastic expressions, such as “a merry Negro” by James Blish, and “handsome Negro” by Judy Merril (as cited in Edwards, 2011, p. 11). In an interview with a black science fiction writer, Steven Barnes claims that “White control the publishing industry and are the majority population. Like everyone else, they love the idea that the world revolves around them, and support those image systems that reinforce that” (as cited in Testerman, 2012, p. 6). Science fiction community was and is still divided by race and skin color (Edwar

The Hero Spider Man Essay

Introduction

As one of the most famous and long-lasting superheroes, Spider-Man made his debut in comic books in 1962, created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko for Marvel Comics. In a time when heroes were thought to be perfect, Spider-Man was a groundbreaking figure who showed that superheroes could have normal problems and weaknesses. Being a young, awkward high school student who gets superpowers after being bitten by a radioactive spider makes Peter Parker, Spider-Man’s alter ego, a character that is easy to relate to. This collection of essays tries to explore the complicated world of Spider-Man by looking at how the character has changed from his comic book roots to his widespread appearance in movies, TV shows, and popular culture. In Spider-Man’s story, themes of duty, identity, and adolescence are woven throughout, which makes him a symbol of strength and humanity in the face of hardship. We’re looking into this to find out why Spider-Man is still popular with people of all ages, making him more than just a superhero. He’s become a cultural icon who represents the struggles and successes of individuals.

100 Words Essay about Spiderman

Spider-Man, the brainchild of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, made his debut in 1962, quickly becoming one of the most beloved superheroes worldwide. Distinguished by his relatable alter ego, Peter Parker, Spider-Man broke the mold of the flawless hero, embodying the struggles and triumphs of everyday life alongside his battles against crime. His guiding principle, “With great power comes great responsibility,” resonates profoundly, teaching valuable lessons about duty, sacrifice, and resilience. Spider-Man’s enduring appeal lies in his human vulnerabilities, making him an icon not just of superhuman feats, but of the enduring human spirit.

250 Words Essay about Spiderman

Spider-Man, a character that epitomizes the fusion of human frailty with superhuman capability, has been a cornerstone of the superhero genre since his inception in 1962 by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Unlike his contemporaries, Spider-Man, or Peter Parker, is characterized by his youthful vulnerabilities, grappling with the trials of adolescence, loss, and identity, which are as formidable as the villains he faces. This blend of everyday human concerns with the responsibilities of wielding superpowers has rendered Spider-Man a relatable and enduring figure across generations.

Peter Parker’s transformation into Spider-Man, following a bite from a radioactive spider, bestows him with extraordinary powers, including superhuman strength, agility, and the ability to adhere to almost any surface. More iconic, perhaps, is his ‘spider-sense,’ a premonitory tingling that alerts him to impending danger. However, it is the personal challenges and moral dilemmas Peter faces that truly define his character. The death of his Uncle Ben, a pivotal moment in Spider-Man’s storyline, underpins the ethos that “With great power comes great responsibility,” a maxim that guides his endeavors as a superhero.

Spider-Man’s appeal extends beyond comic books into films, merchandise, and even Broadway, illustrating his significant cultural impact. His storylines, often interwoven with themes of love, sacrifice, and the quest for justice, resonate deeply, making Spider-Man not just a character in a suit but a symbol of the struggle to balance personal duty with the greater good. Through his trials and triumphs, Spider-Man exemplifies the potential for heroism inherent in every individual, making him a perennial figure in the landscape of popular culture.

400 Words Essay about Spiderman

Spider-Man, the creation of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, first appeared in the anthology comic book “Amazing Fantasy” #15 in 1962, marking the birth of one of the most iconic characters in the realm of superheroes. Distinct from the god-like figures that dominated the genre, Spider-Man introduced the world to Peter Parker, a high school student from Queens, New York, who, after being bitten by a radioactive spider, acquires extraordinary abilities. These include superhuman strength, agility, the ability to cling to most surfaces, and a precognitive “spider-sense” that warns him of impending danger. Yet, it is not his powers alone that have cemented Spider-Man’s place in popular culture, but his deeply human narrative and the relatable struggles he faces.

Peter Parker’s journey as Spider-Man is a compelling blend of exhilarating high-flying heroics and poignant human drama. His life is a tapestry of triumphs and tragedies, from the exhilaration of swinging between New York’s skyscrapers to the heartache of personal losses, most notably the death of his Uncle Ben. This pivotal event in Peter’s life instills in him a profound sense of responsibility, encapsulated in the iconic principle, “With great power comes great responsibility.” This ethos not only guides Spider-Man’s actions but also resonates with audiences, reflecting the universal struggle to balance personal desires with moral obligations.

Spider-Man’s adversaries, from the Green Goblin to Doctor Octopus, are as multifaceted as the hero himself, often presenting complex moral dilemmas rather than mere physical challenges. These conflicts, set against the backdrop of Peter’s everyday life struggles, such as maintaining relationships, financial hardships, and the quest for identity, enrich the narrative, making Spider-Man’s saga one of enduring appeal.

The character’s adaptability has allowed him to evolve with the times, remaining relevant through numerous reinterpretations in comics, animated series, and a highly successful film franchise. Each iteration explores different facets of Peter Parker’s character, from his teenage angst and romantic entanglements to his philosophical quandaries about heroism and sacrifice. This versatility has enabled Spider-Man to transcend the boundaries of comic books, becoming a cultural icon whose influence extends into fashion, literature, and even academic discourse.

In conclusion, Spider-Man stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling that bridges the fantastical and the mundane. Peter Parker’s journey as Spider-Man, with its blend of spectacular adventures and everyday challenges, offers a mirror to our own lives, reminding us of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

500 Words Essay about Spiderman

Spider-Man, a character that has swung through the skyscrapers of imagination and landed firmly in the hearts of millions, is not just a superhero; he is an icon of resilience, responsibility, and the human struggle. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, Spider-Man first appeared in “Amazing Fantasy” #15 in 1962. From his humble beginnings in the pages of a comic book, Spider-Man has become a global phenomenon, showcasing the universal appeal of a hero who is as much about the person beneath the mask as he is about the powers that mask conceals.

The essence of Spider-Man is rooted in the story of Peter Parker, a brilliant but socially awkward high school student who gains extraordinary abilities after being bitten by a radioactive spider. However, it is not the spider bite that makes Peter a hero; it is his decision to use his powers for good, driven by a profound sense of responsibility. This sense of duty is encapsulated in the character’s guiding principle: “With great power comes great responsibility.” This mantra not only defines Spider-Man but also serves as a moral lesson to the audience, emphasizing the importance of using one’s abilities and talents to help others.

Peter Parker’s journey as Spider-Man is a compelling narrative of growth, sacrifice, and perseverance. Unlike many superheroes who are born with their powers or acquire them through divine intervention or technological innovation, Peter’s transformation into Spider-Man is as much a curse as it is a blessing. His story is a constant battle not just with supervillains, but with everyday challenges that ordinary people face: financial difficulties, relationship problems, and the pursuit of personal and professional fulfillment. This relatability makes Spider-Man a unique figure in the superhero pantheon, as readers and viewers can see parts of themselves in Peter Parker’s struggles and triumphs.

Spider-Man’s adversaries are as memorable as the hero himself, ranging from the Green Goblin to Doctor Octopus, each villain not only poses a threat to Spider-Man but also challenges his morals and ethics. These conflicts are not just physical but are often psychological, forcing Peter to confront his fears, doubts, and the consequences of his actions. The villains in Spider-Man’s world are not merely obstacles to be overcome; they are reflections of his own inner demons, making his journey a deeply personal one.

Beyond the comic books, Spider-Man’s influence extends into movies, television shows, video games, and merchandise, cementing his status as a cultural icon. Each adaptation brings a new dimension to the character, exploring different aspects of his personality, his world, and his relationships. Despite these variations, the core of Spider-Man’s appeal remains constant: he is a symbol of hope, a reminder that anyone can be a hero, and that strength and courage come not from the absence of fear, but from the determination to face it.

Spider-Man is more than just a character in a costume; he is a reflection of the human condition. His story is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of responsibility, and the impact one individual can have on the world.