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An ensuing theme in The Scarlet Letter is the theme of hypocrisy which “Hypocrite” by Savanna Keyes well represents. Hawthorne (2015) illustrates a hypocritic Puritan Community by envisioning vital social topics like adultery. The Scarlet Letter has several instances of hypocrisy depicted by some characters, such as the lavish dressing Governor Bellingham wears while enforcing Puritan plainness on his subjects (Hawthorne, 2015). This is an instance of a physical metaphor for hypocritic characteristics illustrating how some individuals present one face to the world while hiding their true nature. “Hypocrite” depicts this perception through deep vivid lyrics defining hypocritic behavior that applies to Hester.
“But I don’t practice what I preach
Count every calorie
And every flaw I see in my mirror
I know that my best disguise is handing out advice
Like I’m everybody’s cheerleader” (Keyes, 2018, 00:32).
Trisha Yearwood’s “Standing Out in a Crowd” represents Hester’s treatment after being accused of adultery. She is taunted and criticized for her actions in a polarized community which labels her as an adulterer and a misfit. According to Hawthorne (2015), the experience of standing out in a crowd launches Hester into a state of regret as she starts to recall her life back in rural England, where everything was calm. This flashback portrays how she is not comfortable with being sidelined. The song illustrates how unprepared she is to receive that form of treatment from her fellow people and that she is not ready to go through all that alone.
“Standing out in a crowd
Where the spotlight finds you
And singles you out
What are they whispering about?” (Yearwood, 2005, 00:40).
Although taunted and publicly humiliated, Hester is not ready to reveal the father’s identity to her child. Hawthorne (2015) depicts the power of sin by highlighting how a secret can lead them to a life of misery with Hester and Dimmesdale. For instance, Hester is aware of what would happen to Dimmesdale if she reveals that he is the father and, therefore, vows to take the secret to her grave (Hawthorne, 2015). The same dilemma is present with Dimmesdale, who does not want to face humiliation and persecution after Hester reveals the truth (Hawthorne, 2015). These two illustrations highlight the strength of secrecy, an illustration perfectly presented in “Secret” by The Pierces.
“Got a secret, can you keep it?
Swear, this one you’ll save
Better lock it in your pocket
Takin’ this one to the grave” (Pierces, 2007, 00:01).
Paloma Faith’s “Guilty” perfectly resonates with the theme of guilt in The Scarlet Letter. One instance of guilt is Hester’s guilt of adultery which is publicly exploited and forced to wear the scarlet letter for the rest of her life (Hawthorne, 2015). Dimmesdale is also as guilty as Hester but chooses to let his guilt remain a secret, allowing it to kill him slowly (Hawthorne, 2015) slowly. Chillingworth’s guilt is expressed in hiding his identity as Hester’s husband, who resorts to torturing Dimmesdale to hide his guilt (Hawthorne, 2015). The song illustrates how these characters let their guilts affect their lives as they struggle in a hypocritical society.
“I’ve been a criminal, I made a mistake
Believed in the fictional
Then let everything slip away
I can’t accept my fate
Thought the alternative looked so crystal clear
Drowned in the muddy waters
And I’m living in my worst fears
Begging you back through tears” (Faith, 2018, 00:15).
The song “I Look to You” by Whitney Houston narrates the hardships one can go through at the mercy of society. Hawthorne depicts a condemned and humiliated Hester Prynne, a labeled social misfit after getting a child from adultery (Hawthorne, 2015). Her decisions subject her to a complete life of shame without any willing companion to share her pain. The lyrics of the song resonate with her affliction and her despair of having someone to talk to.
“I’m lost without a cause
After giving it my all
Winter storms have come
And darkened my sun
After all that I’ve been through
Who on earth can I turn to?” (Houston, 2009, 00:21).
After realizing that she is all alone and no one is willing to come to her aid, Hester is in a state of desperation, depression, and brokenness. Although she is not willing to speak the truth, her condemnation gets the better of her as she starts to experience the harsh outcomes of her decision (Hawthorne, 2015). Noelle Johnson’s “Broken” attempts to portray her state through a submissive chorus.
“I’m begging you to come
And pull me out of the fire, come and save me
Like you did when we were young
Oh, please, come bring me up
From my lowest, take me higher” (Johnson, 2021, 00:30).
Ed Sheeran communicates a heartfelt rendition with “Autumn Leaves,” depicting the trials an individual can encounter after losing a loved one. The same desperation exists between Hester and Dimmesdale, who are now separated by society, and that the pain will live on following the death of Dimmesdale.
“Another tear, another cry
Another place for us to die
It’s not complicated
Another life that’s gone to waste
Another light lost from your face” (Sheeran, 2011, 01:11).
Coldplay’s “Yellow” has a resounding theme of true love despite all odds. Although Hester is aware of society shutting its back on her, Dimmesdale is out to declare his true intentions and be ready to bleed for her, which sees his death. Pearl also illustrates her true love to Dimmesdale, although he is hesitant to come public about his actions. The song serves to show how deep their love indeed was.
“I swam across
I jumped across for you
Oh, what a thing to do
‘Cause you were all yellow” (Coldplay, 2000, 02:14).
Brian and Jenn Johnson’s “You’re Gonna Be Okay” echoes how social labels afflict an innocent child. Pearl, Hester’s daughter, is deprived of a chance to be happy playing with fellow children. The villagers even label Pearl a witch-baby because she was conceived, arguing that she will grow to become a transgressor like her mother. Dimmesdale also stands in to prevent Pearl from being separated from her mother (Hawthorne, 2015). Hester and Dimmesdale are the only ones by her side, and the song resonates with a mother’s promise always to care for and protect their child.
“And it’s a fight just to keep it together, together
I know you think, that you are too far gone
But hope is never lost
Hope is never lost” (Brian & Jenn, 2021, 00:23).
Lauren Daigle’s “You Say” provides a perfect summary of Hawthorne’s message of self-love. After going through a series of challenges and potential regrets, Hester realizes that she is worthy and has the right to lead a regular life and shun what society throws at her. The song resonates with this idea by presenting an uplifting message of self-love above all challenges.
“You say I am loved when I can’t feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
You say I am held when I am falling short
When I don’t belong, You say I am Yours” (Daigle, 2018, 01:04).
References
Coldplay. (2000). Yellow [Song]. On Parachutes. Parlophone Records Limited.
Daigle, L. (2018). You say [Song]. On Look Up Child. Centricity Music.
Faith, P. (2018). Guilty [Song]. On The Architect (Zeitgeist Edition). Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited.
Hawthorne, N. (2015). The scarlet letter. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Houston, W. (2009). I look to you [Song]. On I Look To You. Arista Records LLC.
Johnson, B. & Johnson, J. (2021). You’re gonna be okay [Song]. On Peace, Volume II. Bethel Music.
Johnson, N. (2021). Broken [Song]. On Broken [single]. Sonder House.
Keyes, S. (2018). Hypocrite [Song]. On Hypocrite [single]. Savannah Keyes.
Pierces, T. (2007). Secret [Song]. On Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge. Lizard King Records.
Sheeran, E. (2011). Autumn leaves [Song]. On + (Plus). Warner Music UK Limited.
Yearwood, T. (2005). Standing out in a crowd [Song]. On Jasper County. MCA Nashville.
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