D.H. Lawrence’s paper “On the Scarlet Letter” addresses a range of criticisms and ideas regarding Hester Prynne and has been widely considered in regard to Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. He explores different aspects of her sin as well as her nature through this analytical paper. It is in these criticisms that he conveys that Hester Prynne is wrongfully admired by both fellow characters and the reader by using repetition, choppy syntax, and biblical allusions. Lawrence's use of repetition is most effectively displayed in his diction, through which he presents and emphasizes Hester's less than holy attributes. The most prominent example of which is found in the two nouns seduction and purity, as seen in such lines as “ To seduce …show more content…
His sentence structures are arranged in such a way that when reading, it devolves into a sort of chant; “A, The Scarlet Letter. Adulteress! The great Alpha. Alpha! Adulteress” “Abell Abell Abell Admirable!” (Lawrence). These short one word sentences convey the apparent anger of Lawrence, they display his disbelief that a woman so tainted could be praised. These choppy sentences are also used to emphasize more nuanced points, all of which relate back to his thesis. Phrases such as “it becomes a farce”, “all begins with A”, and “flop goes spiritual love” all contain purposes that would not have equal impact if not for their choppy arrangement (Lawrence). For example, “all begins with A”, combined with the previous chant-like sentences, as well as their diction, drive home her rise to a near-god like status (Lawrence). To Lawrence they are idolizing and worshiping her “Abell, Abell, Abell”,praising that which he called a demon. This, in the eyes of D. H. Lawrence, is the great deceiver of the reader and characters, and is one that is only further emphasized by his choppy …show more content…
He states that “ this time it is Mr. Dimmesdale who dies. She lives on and is Abel” (Lawrence). In this case the word Abell is not spelled in its usual way, but instead is a name. This name, Abel, refers to one of the sons of Adam and Eve. The story goes that Cane, another son of Adam, is jealous of his brother who has won the favor of both his father and God. Cane is so enveloped with anger and resentment that he killed his brother Abel in cold blood. By including this allusion Lawrence is depicting Hester as the victim, the one who has been wronged, or at least that's what Hawthorne and much of the audience believe her to be. However, as the quote above displays, it was Dimmesdale who dies, and yet the woman who seduced him and lead him to slaughter lives on and is the victim. She is the daughter of “the new Adam and Adama” or Eve, and as such is considered the new Abel, when in reality she is Cain, the murderer. In addition to this she wears the face of a victim, “stand[ing] meek on the scaffold and fool[s] the world”(Lawrence 2). This, in the eyes of Lawrence, is her greatest sin yet, to steal the purity of a man, to deceive the world, to play the victim, and to receive sympathy instead of punishment. Then to be praised and admired, to be revered, to be
In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s well known novel, The Scarlet Letter, extensive diction and intense imagery are used to portray the overall tone of the characters. In particular, Hester Prynne, the wearer of the Scarlet Letter, receives plentiful positive characterization throughout the novel. Hester’s character most notably develops through the town’s peoples ever-changing views on the scarlet letter, the copious mentions of her bravery, and her ability to take care of herself, Pearl, and others, even when she reaches the point where most would give up and wallow in their suffering.
In his essay On the Scarlet Letter, D.H. Lawrence explores Nathaniel Hawthorne’s portrayal of Hester Prynne. Lawrence focuses on and condemns Hester’s sin itself rather than its consequences. Instead of supporting Hawthorne's depiction of Hester as an innocent character, Lawrence sheds light on what he believes is her true character, a deceiver. He argues that Hester Prynne has a false appearance of purity through his use of critical diction, sarcastic tone, and biblical allusions.
Hester Prynne, the heroine of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, exhibits considerable character growth both over the course of her life and during the events of the novel. Her view of herself and her perspective on the role of women in the world evolve as she learns from new experiences. She moves through the stages of self-centered happiness in her childhood, deep despair and depression as an adult, and a later more hopeful and selfless existence.
Hawthorne demonstrates how love is a weakness though his character, Hester Prynne. When the townspeople try to coerce Hester into giving them the name of her daughter’s father, she refuses to “give [her] child a father” (68). This act displays an intense amount of devotion to her lover, in that she willingly protects him and his reputation at the expense
Hester Prynne is seen by many as worthy of respect and admiration throughout Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter. She is ultimately seen as a hero in many areas of the novel. Literary critic Mark Van Doren argues that Hester Prynne is a heroic citizen who rises above the consequences of her sin. Van Doren argues that Hester Prynne should be seen as a noble hero through his use of repetition, praiseworthy diction, and admirable tone.
While venturing to portray an omniscient viewpoint, Hawthorne blurs the lines between relativity and reality regarding sin. Particularly, the author pities Hester Prynne's condition, but goes so far to rationalize and vindicate her sins. Hawthorne emphasizes his similarities to the marked mother, saying “That scarlet letter so fantastically embroidered and illuminated upon her bosom. It had the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and enclosing her in a sphere by herself” (Hawthorne 37). Accordingly, the author establishes his connection to Hester by expressing his relation to alienation. The author confides that a man like himself with puritan values is not easily inclined to reveal sin that is hidden within his own...
In Nathanial Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, the reader meets the character Hester Prynne who as the novel progresses, one notices the changes in her character are very dramatic. The changes are both physical and in her mannerism’s. There are many significant events which took place before the start of the novel and during the novel. Some of these events that lead to this dramatic change include the affect of wearing the scarlet letter, the secrets which she keeps, and her daughter Pearl’s evil characteristics. By these events, Hester Prynne’s image is transformed throughout the time of the story.
Hester Prynne is a woman of true selflessness. Throughout the work she is constantly ridiculed as a harlot, and perceived as an unfit role model. "In our nature, however, there is a provision, alike marvellous and merciful, that the sufferer should never know the intensity of what he endures by its present torture, but chiefly by the pang that rankles after it” (Hawthorne, ch. 2). This suffering was taken upon by Ms. Prynne as she was chastised by the townspeople. The archetype that Prynne represents is that of a martyr. She finds herself in various amounts of trouble that are, in truth, not her fault entirely. For example, she is sentenced to wear the red ‘A’ across her chest as a symbol of her extreme crime of adultery
1."We are not, Hester, the worst sinners in the world. There is one worse than even the polluted priest! That old man 's revenge has been blacker than my sin. He has violated, in cold blood, the sanctity of a human heart. Thou and I, Hester, never did so!"
Friar Lawrence’s, first entrance is alone, in act two, scene three. This is when we, as an audience get our initial impression of him; here he is introduced as a man who see’s good in all. “Virtue itself turns vice being misapplied and vice sometimes by action dignified “.
Harris, Kenneth Marc. “Kenneth Marc Harris on Hester Prynne’s Sexuality.” Bloom’s Notes: Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlett Letter. Ed. Harold Bloom. Broomall: Chelsea House Publishers, 1998. 61-64. Print.
In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne is virtually banished from the Puritan society because of her crime. She was guilty for adultery with the town’s minister, Arthur Dimmesdale. However, the reader is kept in the dark that Dimmesdale is the child’s father until latter part of the novel. Although Hawthorne’s novel accurately depicts the consequences that Hester and Dimmesdale suffer from their sin, the novel does not accomplish the task of reflecting upon the 17th century Puritan gender roles in Hester and Dimmesdale. For one, the mental and physical states of Hester and Dimmesdale are switched. Hester takes on the more courageous role throughout the novel whereas Dimmesdale takes on the more sensitive role. In addition, Hester is examined in accordance to the gender roles set for today’s American women. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter is written in a manner that accurately depicts 17th century Puritan society, but does not accurately show gender roles.
In this scene, the reader is able to see inside Hester's head. One is able to observe the utter contempt she holds for the Puritan ways. She exhibits he love and respect for the father of her child, when she refuses to relinquish his name to the committee. The reader can see her defiant spirit due to these actions.
Hester Prynne is a character who gave up everything, even love, for her child. Hester Prynne sacrificed her peace, her beauty, her entire being for her child and this shows her determination and profound understanding of the world. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s piece, “The Scarlet Letter” shows the other side of the sinner’s story and not as a villain, but a victim.
One of the main symbols in Lawrence’s short story is Hester. She is the mother of Paul and both are main characters. Hester is a good representation of greed, selfishness and being materialistic. She values money more than her children “She had bonny children, yet she felt they had been thrust upon her, and she could not love them” (Lawrence, 295). Hester is not capable of creating...