Miss Polly Baker Analysis

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Many historical events were taking place at the time in history the “Miss Polly Baker and “The Minister’s Black Veil” were written. For one, there was not a severance of church and state as of yet. In this essay, I will attempt to elaborate on the content and the similarities in these well-known pieces of American literature.
In “The Speech of Polly Baker”, a woman by the name of Miss Polly Baker has had enough! “She is being dragged before the courts yet another time of having sexual intercourse while being unmarried.” (Norton) This speech was addressed to the courts, especially the judges, one of whom she had one of her five children with. This speech was in hopes that she could avoid this ridiculous fine that she’d be paying for the fifth …show more content…

Edgar Allen Poe was known for his annoyance of allegories, his literary works and his alcoholism.” (Elbert) Poe writes that Hawthorne has "high imaginations gleam from every page” but needs to develop more in his writing. (Elbert)
These pieces, “The Speech of Miss Polly Baker” and “The Minister’s Black Veil” have many differences such as the time they were written but many similarities as well. Both of main characters in this story are very unhappy people. Miss Baker is unhappy because all the men that she trusted in slept with her and then forsook her. Rev. Hooper’s unhappiness stems from his religion. The Law condemns! There is also the stench of “judgementalness” and loneliness reeking from the pages. Take Miss Polly Baker, she has five children of whose fathers have forsaken her and the children. She doesn’t ask the community for a dime of support, hasn’t slept with anyone’s husband or underage boy. Yet, she is ridiculed by the community of being a “whore” and even her children are looked at as unworthy although they’re the most innocent of them all. Miss Polly and her children have no other choice but to keep to themselves. Miss Polly Baker has even been barred from participating in communion at the church! Rev. Hooper is well respected among the community and as aforementioned, “highly esteemed.” (Hawthorne, Eldritch Press) There was no proof he committed a sin other than that he was human. As soon as he wore the black veil, he was gossiped about. His fiancé left him yet ironically ended up being his nurse on his deathbed. He used to be invited to dinners and weddings, no gets no invitations for

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