The Genesis of Feminism in Literature

1126 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The scarlet letter hester character analysis

Feminism is a theory that all sexes should have political, economic, and social equality. Hawthorne was a writer during the Romantic Era in literature; one of the many individuals fired by their ideals sought to tell the world about them through their works (e.g. art, literature, music). Hawthorne was raised by his spouseless mother, which probably led him to believe women could be equal to men. Hawthorne grew up with “his mother became overly protective and pushed him toward relatively isolated pursuits” (Grade Saver 1). Whilst Hawthorne’s single mother life prospered, his odium for the belief of Puritanism started when he learned his association to Judge John Hawthorne, one of the judges who oversaw the Salem witch trails. Hawthorne loathed his ancestor and the belief profoundly enough to add a “w” in his last name to disregard any association with his predecessor. The Puritans do not believe in women staying alone without a male companion. On the contrary, his work The Scarlet Letter, introduces the first protagonist that is a feminist. Therefore, because Puritans beliefs were mainly anti-feminist this leads to the question whether Hawthorne was a feminist or not. I credit Nathaniel Hawthorne to be a person that supports feminist ideology through his works, his life and his past.

As a basis, author prepensely make the protagonist of his or her work a certain way, which in turn expresses the author’s own personal beliefs. Hester Prynne, the protagonist of The Scarlet Letter, is considered to be one of first strong willed, independent female protagonists in American literature that she became classified as a feminist. Hester proves to be a feminist when instead of leaving her community for the comforts of England; she stays an...

... middle of paper ...

...ual in America. Furthermore, this starts a lineage of American literature revolving around feminist ideology. It should be known that if Hawthorne is a feminist and made Hester that way purposely then he had just fueled feminist ideals in women and English literature. Therefore if Hawthorne is a feminist then it is beyond the restraints of logical doubt that his works and many others may have helped women procure their equality in social, economic, and political standards.

Works Cited

Batti, Shalu. "Puritan Family Beliefs." Puritan History (2011): 2. Print.

Grade Saver. "Biography of Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864)." Biography of Nathaniel Hawthorne. Grade Saver, 2014. Web. 07 Mar. 2014. .

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. Clayton, Delaware: Prestwick House Literary Touchstone Classics, 2008. Print.

Show More
Related

  • Alcott and Hawthorne's Portrayal of Feminine Roles

    1371 Words  | 3 Pages

    Both Alcott and Hawthorne provide brilliant examples of feminists and both, though different, are perfect for showing the complexities of American women. While many women make their cause global, many others contain their goals locally, and both are worthy of supporting feminism. Zenobia and Hope stand as examples of inredible characters that provide a Victorian era with a view of womanhood not often noticed.

    Read More

  • Is Hester Prynne A Hero

    748 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hester Prynne is seen by many as worthy of respect and admiration throughout Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter. She is ultimately seen as a hero in many areas of the novel. Literary critic Mark Van Doren argues that Hester Prynne is a heroic citizen who rises above the consequences of her sin. Van Doren argues that Hester Prynne should be seen as a noble hero through his use of repetition, praiseworthy diction, and admirable tone.

    Read More

  • The Feminist Scarlet Letter

    1795 Words  | 4 Pages

    With a strong female protagonist and two mentally weak males, it is hard to consider Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter anything but a feminist treatise. He obviously intended to put down not only Puritanism, which is an obvious aspect of the novel, but to establish a powerful, secure female in American literature. Hester proves, although she has sinned in the past, she can confront her mistakes, take care of herself and her child, and help others at the same time. She can withhold a position in society that many can respect because of her character something the males of the story obviously could not succeed at doing.

    Read More

  • Stereotypes In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

    1072 Words  | 3 Pages

    Human nature thrives on labels and stereotypes; they are methods society uses to better comprehend others disposition and justify their behavior. However, when placed stereotypes can override individuality, and this can force one to conform to such labels, hide their true character, and change their persona. In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester is a victim of such a stereotype. The Puritan society in which she lives confines and defines her based on her sin, and not by a totality of her actions and character. Nevertheless she emerges, reborn, as her own person once again. Hester Prynne's development through the use of archetypes, symbols, and Romanticism reinforce the theme of the effects of stereotypes and labels and their refutal in The Scarlet Letter.

    Read More

  • The Characterization Of Hester Prynne By D. H. Lawrence

    732 Words  | 2 Pages

    The characterization of Hester Prynne demonstrates a contrast to pure society, as writer and critic D.H. Lawrence suggests in his article, “On the Scarlet Letter.” There is a genuine disparity in the methods Lawrence uses to portray Prynne, and the methods used by The Scarlet Letter’s author, Nathaniel Hawthorne. Because of his utilization of impactful syntax, religious allusion, and critical tone, D.H. Lawrence’s claim that Hester Prynne is a contradictory character to pure society is effectively justified when compared to the misleading seductive elements of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s writing.

    Read More

  • The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

    867 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...and was outside of the country, everybody hated her. Even though she knows that everybody hates her, Hester never gives up to be forgiven by people. Hester Prynne did many great things for people. She decorated people’s clothes and donated her clothes to the poor. She made money and supported her daughter, Pearl. Hester Prynne could have financial difficulties, but she did everything by herself. Hester Prynne is a very courageous brave woman unlike other women in 1850’s. Because of Hester Prynne’s characteristic, the book became a great feminist novel. Not only Nathaniel Hawthrone did not just make up the story throughout the fiction, but he reflected the real society during his time to a novel which is The Scarlet Letter. Hester Prynne’s role, a strong brave feminist, in the story is one of the best elements that brought The Scarlet Letter to a great novel.

    Read More

  • The Puritan Society In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

    1476 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Puritan society was extremely restricting. They had strict laws and rules, and harsh punishments for even the smallest of misdemeanors. They lived with only the bare necessities and discouraged uniqueness or boldness. As a Romantic writer, with beliefs the complete opposite of the Puritans, Nathaniel Hawthorne was very critical of the Puritan’s strict society. In the allegorical novel The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the characters of Hester Prynne, Reverend Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth order to convey the central moral of rejecting societal ideals and acting upon one 's own desires and emotions.

    Read More

  • Hester Prynne: Challenging Patriarchy in 'The Scarlet Letter'

    2438 Words  | 5 Pages

    Throughout the course of history, the concept of women being subordinate to men has always existed. However, in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, a woman named Hester Prynne tries to break prejudicial notions against women in a patriarchal society. In the story, Hester commits the crime of adultery and is sentenced by the government to wear a scarlet letter as it symbolizes ignominy. Since she lives in Puritan New England, the people do not value women a lot, her actions becomes a sight of public scrutiny. Yet, with her strength as a woman, she is able to not only survive the situation, but also reverse as she later becomes an important member of their community. In a feminist perspective of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter,

    Read More

  • Hawthorne On Puritanism

    1312 Words  | 3 Pages

    Nathaniel Hawthorne's knowledge of Puritanism and his close relationship with the religion has impacted his views on those in the society. Hawthorne is critical of the Puritans and he thinks that they are hypocrites for having rules and morals that they do not follow. He sees the underlying sin that others may not. Through his many writings he makes known to his readers that everyone is guilty of sin. The Puritan's main goal was to save themselves from the sin in the world, but Nathaniel Hawthorne portrays their morals and society as troublesome through his works, "Young Goodman Brown," "The Minister's Black Veil," and The Scarlet Letter.

    Read More

  • Feminism In Nina Baym's 'The Scarlet Letter'

    436 Words  | 1 Pages

    While reading Nina Baym’s review she opens your eyes to Hawthorne’s touch on being a feminist writer, not only throughout the scarlet letter, but also compares other work of his as well. Going off on a different path and disagreeing with the traditional critics of The Scarlet Letter disclaiming Dimmesdale being the main protagonist, Baym rejects the idea and takes a whole different view. Revealing Hawthorne’s journals and letters written to his mother and sister showed how much his mother played a big role in his life, leading to believe her being the reason for his feminist side and losing, her inspiring the work of the scarlet letter. Baym goes to describe how Hester plays such a strong role and she would be presented as the protagonist not Dimmesdale, She compares Hawthorne’s women to not only have more of a heart in his stories, but also have more intelligence, “Zenobia is

    Read More

  • How Is The Scarlet Letter Historically Relevant

    715 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Scarlet Letter, a classic American novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, contains a plot that follows the controversial life of Hester Prynne, the main protagonist of the story. Set in the mid 1600’s in Boston, Massachusetts, it represented the Puritan society and its ideals at that time. Its rich plot has enticed and enraptured readers for many years, while Historical elements have allowed readers to analyze and understand the content better. The Scarlet Letter is a piece of historical fiction that contains a real representation of the period in which it is set in and is mostly historically accurate, barring a few minor inaccuracies.

    Read More

  • Unrelenting Selflessness In The Scarlet Letter, By Nathaniel Hawthorne

    769 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s well known novel, The Scarlet Letter, extensive diction and intense imagery are used to portray the overall tone of the characters. In particular, Hester Prynne, the wearer of the Scarlet Letter, receives plentiful positive characterization throughout the novel. Hester’s character most notably develops through the town’s peoples ever-changing views on the scarlet letter, the copious mentions of her bravery, and her ability to take care of herself, Pearl, and others, even when she reaches the point where most would give up and wallow in their suffering.

    Read More

  • Feminism in Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

    550 Words  | 2 Pages

    Written in 1850, The Scarlet Letter stood as a very progressive book. With new ideas about women, main characters’ stories intertwined, and many different themes, The Scarlet Letter remains today as a extremely popular novel about 17th century Boston, Massachusetts. Not only was the 19th century a time for the abolition of slavery movement but it was also the beginning of the first wave of feminism. Women such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Lucretia Mott catalyzed the women’s rights movement. These prominent women believed that a woman’s role was no longer in the house and that women should be afforded the same opportunity as men. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s sympathy for women is evident in a feminist reading of his novel The Scarlet Letter.

    Read More

  • Scarlet Letter Characterization Essay

    1491 Words  | 3 Pages

    In contrast to the typical Puritan women in Boston, Hawthorne depicts the female protagonist of The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne, as physically discrete. Hester has a perfect figure, a rich complexion, dark hair, and deep eyes. She dresses in modest clothing, but the symbol of her sin, the golden embroidered scarlet letter, remains the focus of her attire (Bloom 219). Hester’s breathtaking features and the scarlet letter give her a sense of individuality.

    Read More

  • The Evolution of the Role of Women in British and American Literature

    1818 Words  | 4 Pages

    “Girls wear jeans and cut their hair short and wear shirts and boots because it is okay to be a boy; for a girl it is like promotion. But for a boy to look like a girl is degrading, according to you, because secretly you believe that being a girl is degrading” (McEwan 55-56). Throughout the history of literature women have been viewed as inferior to men, but as time has progressed the idealistic views of how women perceive themselves has changed. In earlier literature women took the role of being the “housewife” or the household caretaker for the family while the men provided for the family. Women were hardly mentioned in the workforce and always held a spot under their husband’s wing. Women were viewed as a calm and caring character in many stories, poems, and novels in the early time period of literature. During the early time period of literature, women who opposed the common role were often times put to shame or viewed as rebels. As literature progresses through the decades and centuries, very little, but noticeable change begins to appear in perspective to the common role of women. Women were more often seen as a main character in a story setting as the literary period advanced. Around the nineteenth century women were beginning to break away from the social norms of society. Society had created a subservient role for women, which did not allow women to stand up for what they believe in. As the role of women in literature evolves, so does their views on the workforce environment and their own independence. Throughout the history of the world, British, and American literature, women have evolved to become more independent, self-reliant, and have learned to emphasize their self-worth.

    Read More

More about The Genesis of Feminism in Literature

Open Document