The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne: Feminine Traits

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Recommended: The role of women in 20th century literature

Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of The Scarlet Letter, establishes his views towards women in many ways through his strong, passionate characters. Despite this clear incorporation, when does an author’s opinion become confused with reality? Hawthorne clearly presents the heroine of the novel, Hester Prynne, as a contradiction to the typical woman of the 1800’s. Hawthorne sees Hester as a strong woman and presents her actions and characteristics as righteous; however his opinion of a strong woman is flawed. Hester’s seemingly honorable actions can interpreted as unrighteous by a modern reader. This proves the amount of progress that women have made in society since the novel was first written.

Hawthorne holds strong opinions about what he believes a strong woman should be. During the 1800’s when The Scarlet Letter was written, women did not have many rights. They were not seen as an independent entity outside of their husband because once married, the husband and wife are considered to be one person in law. Additionally, men were responsible for their wives, as he was to “answer for her misbehaviour…[and was] intrust[ed] with [the] power of restraining her…in the same moderation that a man [was] allowed to correct his servants or children” (Blackstone 249). Hawthorne uses the role that women played in society in the 1800’s to create Hester Prynne with contrasting characteristics that he believes makes her a strong woman. He uses words such as “bold…courage…untamed…intellect…free…[and] strong” to describe Hester as a virtuous woman (158). Hester first showcases this independence when she “repel[s] [the beadle], by an action marked with natural dignity and force of character” before she goes on the scaffold for the first time (57). H...

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...h counters the idea of Hester being a strong woman. Hawthorne’s presentation of Hester as a strong woman has served as a role-model of what the ideal woman should be. Thanks to Hawthorne’s character, Hester Prynne, the role of women in society has changed drastically over the years to create an equal existence with males.

Works Cited

de Tocqueville, Alexis. “From How the Americans Understand the Equality of the Sexes”

(1835).” The Scarlet Letter: Second Edition. Ed. Ross Murfin. Massachusetts: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006. 249-250. Print.

Blackstone, William. “From Of Husband and Wife (1795).” The Scarlet Letter: Second Edition.

Ed. Ross Murfin. Massachusetts: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006. 248-249. Print.

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. “The Scarlet Letter.” The Scarlet Letter: Second Edition. Ed. Ross

Murfin. Massachusetts: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2006. 21-202. Print.

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