Tuesday, August 18, 2015
The Scarlet Letter Thoughts
Based on what we've read so far I'm going to predict that Hester was justified in committing adultery. For starters, her marriage seemed forced to put it lightly. What's more, it seems like she would have been an outcast even before her "sin". I don't think she likes living in the village, and I really do not think she likes her husband. To run the risk of committing adultery in that time period, shows that at the very least her marriage wasn't perfect. However, I support Hester so far. She seems brave, and pretty strong/defiant. I don't usually support adultery either, but she seems like she had her reasons. She reminds me a lot of Aliena from Pillars of the Earth, except Aliena is a lot more defiant and strong, and lived in a much earlier time period. But I'm worried about that kid. Everytime Hawthorne mentions the kid, he always calls it her "shame". And I get he/her must be a constant reminder of that event, but still. I mean in the beginning she was described smothering it in her gown, just to hide the A. And what's with that one female character who seems to know exaclty what's going on? The young wife, seems like one of those characters who blatanly tells you the subtext through dialogue. But overall it seems like another protypical story of a protagonist vilified becuase they don't adhere to the social customs of the time. Also, considering the context of when this was written(1850), this seems like it was a big contribution to the suffragette/feminist movement.
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To add to what you said, I think she doesn't like living in the village because it's not her home. She was raised in England where every day living must have been completely different from the Puritan village. She spent enough time in her real home to remember and miss it now that she is gone. She is most likely still not used to Puritan rules and maybe doesn't even want to learn them.
ReplyDeleteTrue. But she was either puritan of anglican where she came from. So either way she had harsh christian overtones in her life. Also, both are a faction of Christianity, so the transition is not drastic.
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DeleteGreat analysis Pamela.
ReplyDeleteI feel like the young woman who seems like she knows what's going on is going to become friends with her and help her later on in the story. She seems like she is going to be an important character in the story because of how she stands out from the others.
ReplyDeleteYes, Kim I agree but I think the infant will be an important character because the mother has committed adultery and possibly be may be conviction again and once for all.
ReplyDeleteI agree Ali, I think the baby is an important character as well.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Pamelas comment and id like to throw in, maybe her act of adultery was a show of her difiance. She didnt love her husband which shows she didnt want to get marrried. Im not saying its true im just saying it's a possiblilty.
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