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The puritan context in american literature
Significance of symbolism in literature
The puritan context in american literature
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Every human being needs the opportunity to express how he or she truly feels, otherwise, the emotion builds up until they become volatile. In Nathaniel Hawthorne's, The Scarlet Letter, life centers on a rigid Puritan society which does not allow open self-expression, so the characters have to seek alternate means in order to relieve their personal anguishes and desires. Luckily, Hawthorne provides such a sanctuary in the form of the mysterious forest. The forest is a sanctuary because it allows the freedom to love, the freedom to express emotions, the freedom for sympathy and the freedom to be one’s self.
In the deep, dark portions of the forest, many of the pivotal characters bring forth hidden thoughts and emotions. The forest track leads away from the settlement out into the wilderness where all signs of civilization vanish. This secluded trail is the escape route from strict mandates of law and religion to a refuge where men, as well as women, are able to open up and be themselves. It is here, the forest, that Dimmesdale openly acknowledges Hester and his love for her. It is also here, in the forest, that Hester does the same for Dimmesdale. The forest is where the two of them engage in conversation, without the constraints that Puritan society places on them.
The forest is the very embodiment of freedom. Nobody watches in the woods to report misbehavior, thus it is here that people may do as they wish. To independent spirits, such as Hester Prynne's, the wilderness beckons her: “Throw off the shackles of law and religion. What good have they d...
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...sentence “It is here [the forest] that Dimmesdale” could correctly either be written “It is here, the forest, that Dimmesdale” or “It is in the forest that Dimmesdale.” Also on the fourth page, the sentence “They [the readers] see the real Hester” could correctly be written either “They, the readers, see the real Hester” or “The readers see the real Hester.”
3. When quoting, exclamation marks count as the punctuation. So instead of punctuating the quote twice, “Preach! Write! Act!” (Hawthorne 188). The correct punctuation would be “Preach! Write! Act” (Hawthorne 188)!
4. Also when quoting, […] is not needed to begin or end the quote. So “… it” would correctly be written “it.”
5. You make good use of your quotes, giving proof to your arguments.