Theme Of Sexism In The Scarlet Letter

The Effects of Sexism in The Scarlet Letter
In 1950, Margaret Sanger wrote the research, which was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1960, to create the first human birth control pill in history. Through the creation of this contraceptive, “the belief in the right of woman to control her own fertility” was taken into account, removing women from the totalitarian rule of men (People & Events: The Pill and the Women’s Liberation Movement). The idea of women to be able to control when she did or did not want to have children was not a belief expressed in the Puritan society. In Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter, he explores the barriers faced by Hester Prynne both internally and externally due to the shame of the consequences of adultery. In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne utilizes symbolism to depict his theme of female independence in a male dominated society to encourage the importance of female sexuality.
A recurring theme in Hawthorne’s novel is the depiction of gender roles between the women and the men to symbolize a society dominated by patriarchal rule. A prime example of this is in the second chapter, upon Hester’s release from prison. The town gossips, all women, comment on how Hester has

brought shame to them : “What do we talk of marks and brands, whether on the bodice of her gown, or the flesh of her forehead?” ‘cried another female, the ugliest as well as the most pitiless of these self-constituted judges.’ “This woman has brought shame to us all, and ought to die. Is there not law for it? Truly there is, both in the Scripture and the statute-book. Then let the magistrates, who have made it of no effect thank themselves if their wives and daughters go astray!” (Hawthorne 45). Hawthorne creates an image of what the expectations are for women in this Puritan society but suggests that Hester has brought disgrace to women as whole by the act she has committed. The gossips in this society represent “what little power” women have during this period (Kincaid). Although the women symbolize the negative connotation of gossiping, some critics argue that “women who engage in gossip are cast as victims of patriarchal rule” (Kincaid). They are forced to merely accept the role they are given without a voice in the matter, thus instilling a sexist atmosphere in the novel.
Because Hester has committed the act of adultery, she is forced to wear a scarlet letter, as an everlasting reminder of her crime with Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale.

Much of the pain and persecution she faced can be attributed to this letter worn on her bosom. While Dimmesdale deals with his sin internally, Hester embraces the sinful deed which is an important part of human nature. Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale were equals in the sin they committed, but society blamed the woman for the adultery where her male counterpart was equally punishable (Azam). Through the use of the scarlet letter, Hester is forced to bear the insults and humiliation to protect the dignity of Dimmesdale, which shows the remarkable strength and courage of woman

(Azam).
Hawthorne depicts Hester as a single, strong independent woman, not only alone in society but forced to raise her daughter, Pearl, as as single mother. The essay by Nina Baym, “Thwarted Nature: Nathaniel Hawthorne as Feminist,” argues that Hawthorne used Hester to show that the society could be changed by a woman. Hester redefines that gender role of women in society by “her goodness and her essential nature” which has no relation to the work of a man. Hester faces many battles but remains a “model” and a figure of a woman who is essentially a “mother” above all things (Baym). Hawthorne’s objective in the novel is to force the reader to understand Hester’s interpretation of the letter as an emblem of honor, rather than a mark of shame.