Essay, Research Paper
The Scarlet Letter and The Bean Trees
Roles of the Protagonists
In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne and The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver, both authors cast their protagonist as a single, unwed mother. Though the time and setting that they are put into are very different and greatly effects the way the character is portrayed, there are many similarities between the two main characters.
In The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne, the main character, is scorned and ridiculed because of her secret and unjustified affair with Arthur Dimmesdale, the minister of the Puritan community. The result of Hester?s sin is her daughter, Pearl. Not until the end of the novel does Hester reveal her child?s father. When the magistrates ask Hester to tell of her fellow sinner, Hester replies ?Never! It is too deeply branded. Ye cannot take it off. And would that I might endure his agony, as well as mine!? By doing this we can see how Hester is a woman full of strength and power. Despite what has happened to her, she still continues on with her life and though she may show shame and despondency on the outside, inside she feels that she must go on. She feels that she must continue for Pearl. Also, but enduring Dimmesdale?s wrath, Hester shows even more courage, but she also reveals kindness and thought. Because of Dimmesdale?s position in society, Hester refuses to give away his name. She thinks of what could happen to him and how the minister of the community would be looked upon if what he did was unveiled. Hester also presents a sense of independence in the book. In spite of the consequences, she still manages to live, although it?s on the outskirts of the community, and to take on the responsibility of Pearl. When she finally decides the she needs her total freedom, she rips off the scarlet letter and says, ?Let us not look back. The past is gone! Wherefore should we linger upon it now? See! With this symbol, I undo it all, and make it as it had never been!? With this action, Hester is trying to rid herself of the past. She wants to forget everything that has happened and continue on with her life. This, most of anything in the book, shows Hester?s main qualities – strength, independence, and courage.
After reading The Bean Trees, I have come to notice that Hester and Taylor, the main character in the story, are alike in many ways. Marietta, as she was once called, grew up in Kentucky with only two things in mind for when she grew up. The first one was to avoid getting pregnant, and the second one is to get away. Now right off the bat, it seems as if there could be no differences between Taylor and Hester. One, because Hester didn?t try to avoid getting pregnant and two, because after all that Hester went through, she didn?t try to escape it, only till the very end. But there are many similarities between the two. They are just deeper within. Like Hester, Taylor is a very independent person. She took off on her own, hoping to land someplace safe where she could make a new living. And that?s exactly what happened. But along the way she encountered some obstacles. She is given a baby, not that she wanted it, but she had no other choice but to take it. To be able to take on the responsibility of a child shows how strong Taylor is. Most people in the same situation wouldn?t have accepted the child. Taylor names the baby Turtle. Taylor has gone from living with her mother, to being on the road by herself and now is on the road with a child. It seems as if the road has many more bumps than it did when she first started. Next she has to find a place to live, which she does. But this is also and impediment because there is always the money issue. Now that she has a child to take care of, Taylor needs to get a job. Also, towards the end of the book, Taylor is on the brink of getting Turtle taken away from her due to child services. On account of everything that has happened to her, Taylor says, ?I thought I?d had a pretty hard life. But I keep finding out that life can be hard in ways I never knew about.? Even though everything that Taylor might have gone through was hard, she still had the strength and courage to go on, just like Hester had the courage to stay in the Puritan community and face all her obstacles as well. Taylor believes that everything happens for a reason. She says, ?For me, even bad things bring good luck.? What she means is that all the obstacles that may have affected her new life actually turned out to lead to something even better than she expected. This, in a way, was also the case with Hester. Though Pearl was a constant reminder of the sin Hester committed, she was also Hester?s pride and joy. She was really the only thing that she had left and she was happy about that.
Hester Prynne was placed in a setting long before ours today and even long before that of Taylor Greer?s in The Bean Trees. In Puritan society, sin was forbidden. When Hester had Pearl, she lived ignominy for the rest of her life. But if Hester were placed into the setting of Taylor, her sin would?ve been condoned. To have an affair in these days is a sin, but it is only between you and the person that you hurt, not the whole community. And if Taylor were placed into the times of Hester, just accepting a child that?s not yours, even though she didn?t have it herself, would have been a sin. The setting affects the characters, their actions, and the actions of others to a great extent.
Другие работы по теме:
Scarlet Letter 2 Essay Research Paper Scarlet
Scarlet Letter 2 Essay, Research Paper Scarlet Letter – Punishment and Death Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter deals with many themes, among those including punishment and death. Utilizing the theme of punishment, the
The Scarlet Letter Review Essay Research Paper 2
The Scarlet Letter Review Essay, Research Paper Adultery, betrayal, promiscuity, subterfuge, and intrigue, all of which would make an excellent coming attraction at the box office and probably make a really good book. Add Puritan ideals and writing styles, making it long, drawn out, tedious, wearisome, sleep inducing, insipidly asinine, and the end result is The Scarlet Letter.
Scarlet Letter Essay Research Paper The Letter
Scarlet Letter Essay, Research Paper The Letter A The novel The Scarlet Letter was set in the Massachusetts Bay colony in the 17th century. Hester Prynne, her illegitimate daughter Pearl, her ex-husband Roger, and the
The Scarlet Letter Essay Research Paper
“The Scarlet Letter” was written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1828. “The Scarlet Letter” portrayed the punishment suffered by two individuals who committed adultery in a Puritan society and their struggle to deal with their sins. Throughout the novel Hawthorne uses Pearl to serve as a constant reminder to Hester and Dimmesdale of their sin.
Scarlet Letter 2 Essay Research Paper Timelessness
Scarlet Letter 2 Essay, Research Paper Timelessness is what separates masterpieces from the rest of literature. Classics like The Scarlet Letter transcend time, and that’s why this book is as relevant in today’s society as it was in the mid-19th century. Today’s teenage parents are often faced with the same problems that plagued Hester and Dimmesdale.
Changing Views Of The Letter A Essay
, Research Paper The perception of Hester’s A has changed throughout the novel. In the beginning, the scarlet letter on her chest was a symbol of her sin. It was intended to be part of her punishment by providing her
The Scarlet Letter Colors Essay Research Paper
Essay: The Scarlet Letter-Colors Throughout the novel, The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne illustrates the themes with various dramatic colors. Of the array are the colors green and gold, where green symbolizes different aspects of nature such as tranquility, security, and gloominess, whereas gold represents all that pertains to luxuriance, serenity and goodness.
Symbolisim The Scarlet Letter Essay Research Paper
In the Scarlet Letter, the author uses many different types of symbols. The different settings of the story are ways in which he describes his environment and how it has treated him as a child. One symbol he uses a lot was the scarlet letter. The scarlet letter takes on different meanings as the course of the story progresses.
Scarlet LetterChillingworth Essay Research Paper The Scarlet
Scarlet Letter-Chillingworth Essay, Research Paper The Scarlet Letter In The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne uses several dynamic characters to develop the plot of the novel. A dynamic character is a character that changes or evolves through the course of a story. Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth were all dynamic characters.
The Scarlet Letter Puritans Vs Hester
Essay, Research Paper The Letter A is a mark of punishment and humiliation. However , Hester Prynne carries the symbol upon her with a very different out look than the puritans intended. Hester and the Puritans both have strong feelings for this Scarlet Letter but both will not come to terms and define a universal meaning for this strong symbol.
Tragic Hero Scarlet Letter Essay Research Paper
A Tragic Hero A tragic hero displays many specific characteristics. Many of them are displayed by Arthur Dimmesdale in novel The Scarlet Letter. Arthur Dimmesdale is a tragic hero because he suffers beyond the depths of despair, and then comes to a moral resolution.
Lead By Example Essay Research Paper Lead
Lead By Example Essay, Research Paper Lead By ExampleEdmund Burke once wrote, “Example is the school of mankind, and they will learn at no other.” This explains how The Scarlet Letter,The Scarlet Letter’s example will greatly benefit teenage parents to overcome their circumstances. Before one can learn how Hester Prynne overcame her problems in The Scarlet Letter, it is helpful to know what she went through.
Scarlet Letter Forest Symbolism Essay Research Paper
Jacquie Kaloz10/13/00Symbolism of the Forest Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter, is filled with a variety of symbols. The forest is a place where the characters can be free and careless, but is also known as a evil place where the Black Man lives. One of the symbols he uses is the forest, which is symbolic in a number of ways.
Able Essay Research Paper Scarlet LetterThe Scarlet
Able Essay, Research Paper Scarlet LetterThe Scarlet Letter is a book that I enjoyed. It taught me to fight for and accomplish what I believe in. The book is very relevant to today’s society. People tend not to do things that they want to do because of what people might say or do. This book teaches teenage parents to follow their own heart and feelings, just like Hester and Pimmisdale.
Hester Prynne In
‘the Scarlet Letter’ Essay, Research Paper In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter Hester Prynne and her daughter Pearl are isolated from society; this is shown by where they live, the action from people toward
Scarlet Letter Who Should Punish A Sinner
? Religion, Society, Or Individuals Essay, Research Paper Scarlet Letter: Who Should Punish A Sinner? Religion, Society, or Individuals Who should punish a sinner? Should it be religion, society, or the
Th Scarlet Letter Essay Research Paper The
Th Scarlet Letter Essay, Research Paper The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the heroine is admired becuase of her strong will, and disregard for other’s views of her.
Scatlet Essay Research Paper The Scarlet Letter
Scatlet Essay, Research Paper The Scarlet Letter Argumentative Essay Nathaniel Hawthorne found a scarlet letter in an old custom house. This is where he came up with the idea for The Scarlet Letter. The Scarlet Letter caused much greif for each of the three Characters: Hester Prynne, Author Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth.
The Scarlet Letter 4 Essay Research Paper
The Scarlet Letter Hyatt Waggoner, a noted Hawthorne scholar, says, “The Scarlet Letter is Hawthorne s most widely read and admired novel and is also the one that has inspired the most inconclusive debate . . .” (Waggoner 118). Much of the trouble in interpreting The
Pearl As A Symbol Essay Research Paper
In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s the Scarlet Letter, Pearl, is a symbol of sin and adultery in the sense that she leads Dimmsdale and Hester to their confession and the acceptance of their sins. A beauitful daughter of the towns adulturist has somtimes demon like traits. She is also the only living symblol of the scarlet letter “A”.
The Scarlet Letter Essay Research Paper Throughout
The Scarlet Letter Essay, Research Paper Throughout The Scarlet Letter, the author Nathaniel Hawthorne uses many literal and figurative items to illustrate the significance of various characters or themes. Coupled with the tangible evidence given, the reader can make many miscellaneous assumptions of the importance of these items to directly and indirectly contribute to the issues of the novel.
Symbollism In The Scarlett Letter Essay Research
Paper British Literature Matt Gordon 9-22-96 Symbolism In The Scarlet Letter Symbolism in literature is the deepness and hidden meaning in a piece of work. It is often used to represent a moral or religious belief or value. Without symbolism literature is just a bunch of meaningless words on paper. The most symbolic piece of work in American Literature is Nathaniel Hawthorne?s The Scarlet Letter.
Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne Essay Research
Paper The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is, on many levels, a struggle between good and evil. Each character falls on the spectrum of good and evi. Arthur Dimmesdale, an agent of God, is the town’s most respected reverend. He is a deeply moral man who regrets the sins he has committed. He practices self-mutilation to punish himself for an affair with a married woman, Hester Prynne.
The Symbolism Of The Scarlet Letter
’s Pearl Essay, Research Paper The Scarlet Letter is a book of much symbolism. One of the most complex and misunderstood symbols in the book is Pearl, the daughter of Hester Prynne. Pearl, throughout the story, develops into a dynamic symbol – one that is always changing. In the following essay, I will explore some of the symbolism which Pearl came to represent throughout the novel.
Scarlet Letter 2
Scarlet Letter – Dimmesdale Analysis Essay, Research Paper The Scarlet Letter – Dimmesdale Analysis Character Analysis : Dimmesdale Dimmesdale is one of the most intriguing characters in The Scarlet Letter. I think this because he demonstrates in this story that he is a coward, and that he is strong, yet not courageous.
Scarlet Letter Essay Research Paper Symbol of
Scarlet Letter Essay, Research Paper Symbol of Sin In The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the scarlet letter symbolizes many things. The literal meaning of symbol, is something that represents something else by association, resemblance, or convention. This paper will tell many of the ways in which this is true.
The Living Symbol Of The Scarlet Letter
Essay, Research Paper The Living Symbol of the Scarlet LetterThe Scarlet Letter A, worn by Hester Prynne, was a punishment for the immoral sin of adultery she had committed. Hester was forced to wear the letter upon her bosom for the rest of her life. Following Hester’s act of adultery, she became pregnant with a baby girl whom she named Pearl. “Pearl was a born outcast of the infantile world.
The Scarlet Letter Vice Or Virtue Essay
, Research Paper The Scarlet Letter, Vice or Virtue? Hawthorn’s Novel, The Scarlet Letter, is brimming with many vivid symbols, the most apparent of which is the scarlet letter “A”, that Hester Prynne is made to wear upon her chest. Throughout the novel, hawthorn presents the scarlet letter to the reader in a variety of ways.
The Scarlet Letter 2 Essay Research
Paper Applying Universal Themes from the Scarlet Letter The Scarlet Letter involves quite a few themes that can be related to today including: playing the role of God, sin, and guilt. People continue to play the role of God throughout our society, just as thwey did in the 17th century in Bostin, Massachusetts.
Pearl Is The Scarlet Letter Essay Research
Paper Pearl is the living embodiment of the scarlet letter because she forces Hester and Dimmesdale to accept their sins. The Puritan society looks at Pearl as a child of the devil, and a black hearted girl because she is the result of sin. Hester and Dimmesdale are both in the same situation in Pearl?s eyes. Pearl wants Hester to realize that she is not the worst person in the world before she removes the scarlet letter.
Comparison In Characters From
“The Crucible” And “The Scarlett Letter” Essay, Research Paper Scarlet Letter In The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, there are many characters that are similar to the characters of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. They might not be similar physically or mentally, but they share the same attributes and feeling towards things that effect their reputations.