Critical Analysis Of Hester Prynne

In the critical essay On the Scarlet Letter, D.H. Lawrence depicts Hester Prynne as a seductive but demonic woman who craves the downfall of holy men. Prynne has been a subject of debate since the publication of Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel, The Scarlet Letter. While some believe she is a tragic heroine, others argue that she is a personification of all things unholy. Hawthorne takes the stance that Hester is a strong and independent heroine, but D.H. Lawrence argues the opposite. Lawrence persuades his audience that Hester is a cynical adulteress with the use of mocking syntax, sarcastic diction, and derogatory allusions. D.H. Lawrence's mocking syntax is used to taunt Nathaniel Hawthorne and prove his character Hester Prynne as a wicked

These allusions offer a comparison between Hester Prynne and other seductive women found in literature. The first allusion is to James Cooper's novel, The Deerslayer. Lawrence brands Hester as “a Mary of the bleeding heart” and “another Magdalene,” referencing the pure virgin Mary and the sinful Mary Magdalene (Lawrence). Later on, Lawrence references "the knowing Ligeia risen diabolic from the grave," a tribute to Edgar Allen Poe's literary work of the same name. The correlation between Ligeia and Hester Prynne is that, whether they failed or succeeded in their task of seduction, they were each beautiful ladies who made it a goal to seduce men. This proves Lawrence's argument that "the great triumph of woman" is to seduce a man (Lawrence). Prynne is also criticized through Biblical references. Lawrence writes that Hester "wipe[s] off the mud with [her] hair, another Magdalen" (Lawrence). Hester is compared to Mary Magdalene, who is known for having been a prostitute. This is the most direct comparison, because Magdalene and Hester both lack a purely monogamous relationship. However, Magdalene is also used as a contrast to Hester, because, unlike Hester, Magdalene was redeemed and able to live more fully. Through each of these allusions, Lawrence is able to paint a clearer picture of how he views Hester: as an irredeemable