A Mother's Struggle for Normalcy

881 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Character analysis of hester

Everyone, around the world, has their own general idea of shunning. Whether a person thinks an individual should be shunned for something as small as spreading a rumor or as large committing murder, being shunned occurs daily. Some well-known people who have been shunned include Charles Manson, Bill Clinton, OJ Simpson, Chris Brown, Kanye West, and most recently Tiger Woods. Society shuns them for murders, lies, affairs, and abuse. One of the most well-known of those shunned is Hester Prynne. She is Nathaniel Hawthorne’s character in The Scarlet Letter. Hester was shunned for committing adultery in the 1600s. Today’s society would still frown upon it, but would eventually forget the sin all together, if she were not a celebrity. If she was however, and her situation were reversed and her husband cheated on her, would society react differently? For Kate Gosselin, this would be the case. The 34 year-old mother of eight divorced Jon Gosselin, 32, in June of 2009 for many reason pertaining to Jon and his actions (Hamm et. al. 1). Jon and Kate Plus 8 was the reality show which focused on these two celebrities raising their eight children. A divorce may seem cliché for a reality star couple, but it goes much deeper than Kate for more reason than one. Although Jon cheated, abandoned his kids for a time, and stole from their joint bank account, Kate is still shunned for their dissolving marriage. On the show, Kate was often known for her rude, witty comments to Jon and that is what many believe led him to his numerous actions against her (“I Have” 3). Meanwhile, during the couple’s split, Kate realizes he was a meager father figure. “He’s made bad choices. Things that I would never ever choose for the father of my childr... ... middle of paper ... ...ses so they will not be affected by the negativity later in life (“New Year” 1-2). Kate Gosselin went from giving birth to six at once, to crazy mother of eight on TLC, to a divorce and a shunning from hell, to a normal human again. As far as shunning goes, if there was a way in, there is always a way out. Works Cited Coyne, Kate. "I Have a Lot of Anger." People 25 May 2009: 56-61. Print. Coyne, Kate. "New Year, NEW KATE!" People 18 Jan. 2010: 60-63. EBSCOhost. 21 Jan. 2010. Hamm, Liza. "I Want to Move Forward." People 27 July 2009: 58-62. Print. Hamm, Liza. "Nastier by the Minute." People 19 Oct. 2009: 78-81. EBSCOhost. 25 Jan. 2010. Parsley, Aaron. "Jon & Kate Gosselin to Make an Announcement on Monday’s Show." TV Watch. People, 18 June 2009.1 Feb. 2010. .

Show More
Related

  • Social Existing Issues Depicted in Fruitvale Station

    1188 Words  | 3 Pages

    Scott, A.O. “A New Year, and a Last Day Alive.” The New York Times. The New York Times,

    Read More

  • Vice or Virtue in The Scarlet Letter

    677 Words  | 2 Pages

    First, there many instances, both literal and symbolic, which support the notion that the scarlet letter has a strong affect on Hester. As seen early in the novel, the public opinion of a seventeenth century puritan society can be quite narrow-minded. As Hester is first marched out of the prison, the women of the town scowl at her. "At the very least, they should have put the brand of a hot iron on Hester Prynne's forehead." (p.36) The initial opinion of the society is extremely cruel and Hester, who tries desperately to remain strong and undisturbed in the face of this mob anger, is by no means deaf. The cruel actions of the townspeople throughout the novel contribute to the ways in which the scarlet letter affects Hester. Yet, these affects of the scarlet letter on Hester can be defined more specifically when examined on the symbolic level. In many ways, Hes...

    Read More

  • The Ordinary Devoted Mother Analysis

    927 Words  | 2 Pages

    Alison Bechdel isn’t a normal author. She uses graphics, and wordplay to tell a very engaging, and interesting story. One of these stories titled “The Ordinary Devoted Mother”, Bechdel tells the story of her trying to write a memoir about her mom. One of the major themes in this story is reading, and writing. Bechdel explores what writing is, how it is important, and how she perceives writing herself.

    Read More

  • Sam Cooke: A Man of Many Faces

    1316 Words  | 3 Pages

    Palmer, Robert. "POP LIFE - New York Times." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 17 June 2010. Web. 17 June 2010. .

    Read More

  • Similarities Between The Crucible And Animal Farm

    583 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hester Prynne, from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, the Scarlet Letter, faces a crucible. She commits adultery with Reverend Dimmesdale and becomes pregnant with a daughter, Pearl. She is isolated from the community and the general public except for when she must stand upon the scaffold for three hours as part of her punishment for her sin. She must also wear a scarlet letter “A” for adultery on her breast. The town looks at her differently because of her sin but Hester stays true to her personality. Hester fairs her life by honoring her punishment and her mistakes, as well as taking care of Pearl and teaching her to be kind.

    Read More

  • Scarlet Letter Townspeople

    739 Words  | 2 Pages

    Readers generally characterize the Puritan Townspeople in The Scarlet Letter by their attitudes in the beginning of the novel. When Hester first walks into the scene, most of the townspeople are very harsh and strict in their religions. They believe that adultery is one of the worst sins possible. One unyielding woman says, “This woman has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die. Is there not law for it? Truly, there is, both in the Scripture and in the statutebook. Then let the magistrates, who have made it of no effect, thank themselves if their own wives and daughters go astray.'; Although a young woman and a righteous man try to intervene with the angry old women, their voices are never heard. Also, Hawthorne associates ugliness with wickedness; therefore, all of the stingy women are described as being very ugly. They regard her not as a fellow sinner but as a woman so evil that she must be ostracized from her “perfect'; community. They view the scarlet letter that she wears upon her breast as a symbol of her atrocious crime of adultery and nothing more. The women in the beginning of the novel are so quick to pass judgment on others, yet they fail to recognize the sin in themselves. Once they realize this obstacle, the townspeople will become more understanding of Hester’s situation.

    Read More

  • Reach Out WorldWide

    1767 Words  | 4 Pages

    "Top 20 Celebs Gone Good of 2013." Weblog post. Do Something. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Dec. 2013. .

    Read More

  • The MTV Series 16 And Pregnant

    1987 Words  | 4 Pages

    For instance Farrah Abraham, who in the show is usually seen boy hunting, fighting with her mom and sister, and nearly neglecting her responsibilities as a mother (find specifics). She lets her daughter “do her own thing while she does hers” Her life after 16 & Pregnant isn’t much different. . “Over the past year-and-a-half, former Teen Mom star Farrah Abraham has released two adult films, been booted from ‘Teen Mom’, appeared on Couples Therapy (solo), hawked a line of sex toys, and been criticized for not taking care of her daughter, among other things”. (Majesk) But the thing about Farrah is that she doesn’t regret it at all. Farrah can be seen as the antithesis to Maci. In recent years she has used her popularity to make a name for herself instead of helping other teen girls. Recently she debuted as a singer at the 340 Nightclub in Pomona, California, and was cast in the movie “Axeman II: Overkill’’, and is currently working on her “porn career”. It can be said that Farrah aka “the most irresponsible 16 & pregnant star”, and others like her, are one of the main reasons that 16 & Pregnant has such a bad name and a reputation for being the show that generates some of the most undeserving teen stars

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Motherhood Who Needs It By Betty Rollin

    1085 Words  | 3 Pages

    In her essay, “Motherhood: Who Needs It?”, Betty Rollin emphasizes the pressures of motherhood that society puts on women and highlights the fact that becoming a mother is not a natural instinct.

    Read More

  • Essay on the Transformation of Hester in Scarlet Letter

    683 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hester Prynne committed a crime so severe that it changed her life into coils of torment and defeat.  In The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester is publicly recognized as an adulteress and expelled from society.  Alongside the theme of isolation, the scarlet letter, or symbol of sin, is meant to shame Hester but instead transforms her from a woman of ordinary living into a stronger person.

    Read More

  • The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne

    1046 Words  | 3 Pages

    At the beginning of the Scarlet Letter Hester Prynne is labeled as the “bad guy”. The townspeople demand the other adulterer’s name, but Hester denies this revelation. She does not reveal it because she knows that the information will crumble the foundation of the Puritan religion and the town itself. “‘But, Hester, the man lives who has wronged us both! Who is he?’ ‘Ask me not!’ replied Hester Prynne, looking firmly into his face. ‘That thou shalt never know!’(Hawthorne 52). Hester knows that finding out that the father of the child, the Minister that is leading the town, will diminish credibility for the church and for Dimmesdale, the Minister. During her punishment, Hester decides to move out near the woods and make a living as a seamstress. Hester is regarded as an outcast from Boston, but she still gives back to the society that shuns her. ‘“Do you see that woman with the embroidered badge?’ they would say to strangers. ‘It is our Hester, —the town's own Hester, —who is so kind to the poor, so helpful to the sick, so comfortable to the afflicted!’”(Hawthorne 111). Her acts of kindness, helping the sick and comforting the afflicted, toward the society that makes her an outcast shows the inner goodness of a person. Throu...

    Read More

  • Hester Prynne Character Analysis Essay

    705 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout all the sinful things Hester Prynne has done, she still managed to obtain good qualities. Hester was an adulterer from the book The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Hester was looked down upon by the citizens of Boston because of the sin she and another person committed, but no one knew who her partner in crime was because she refused to release his name. Towards the very end of the story Hester’s accomplice confessed and left Hester and Pearl feeling joyous, because now they didn’t have to keep in a secret. Hester is a trustworthy, helpful, and brave woman throughout The Scarlet Letter.

    Read More

  • Kinder Surprises Banned in the US due to Choking Hazard

    829 Words  | 2 Pages

    Marisco, Jennifer. "The Daily Caller." The Daily Caller. N.p., 26 Mar. 2013. Web. 11 Mar. 2014.

    Read More

  • Sins of Hester Prynne, Reverend Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth in The Scarlet Letter

    2123 Words  | 5 Pages

    Hester Prynne’s sin was adultery. This sin was regarded very seriously by the Puritans, and was often punished by death. Hester’s punishment was to endure a public shaming on a scaffold for three hours and wear a scarlet letter "A" on her chest for the rest of her life in the town. Although Hawthorne does not pardon Hester’s sin, he considers it less serious than those of Dimmesdale and Chillingworth. Hester’s sin was a sin of passion.  This sin was openly acknowledged as she wore the "A" on her chest. Hester did not commit the greatest sin of the novel. She did not deliberately mean to commit her sin or mean to hurt others.

    Read More

  • A Mother Essay: My Journey As A Mother

    718 Words  | 2 Pages

    Becoming a mother has been the best part of my life. I became a mother at a very young age. I had no idea what to expect and was not in the least prepared for the journey that lie ahead. I have truly embraced motherhood and enjoy all the wonderful things it has taught me. While living through motherhood, I have found that it can teach you the most valuable lessons there are to learn. Being a mother has taught me how to have patience. I have also learned that being a mother takes a lot on mental and physical strength. My children have been the best to teach me how to juggle many tasks at once. They have made me strong. Even through some unexpected turns, I have learned how to get through hard times and really learn what it means to never give up. My children are my biggest blessing, and I hope they will learn valuable lessons through me. The skills I have learned from being a mother have helped me in my college journey.

    Read More

More about A Mother's Struggle for Normalcy

Open Document