Not being incredibly familiar with the term archetype or the term classical allusion, before beginning to write this piece I had to do some research. According to the dictionary definition, an archetype is “a recurring symbol or motif on literature, art, or mythology.” A classical allusion can be defined as “a passing or casual reference; an incidental mention of something, either directly or by implication.” With a new and more clear understanding of both these terms, I decided to analyze Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter” in search of examples.
As far as archetypes go, this concept is incredibly interesting to me. During my research, I stumbled upon Joseph Campbell’s philosophical book “The Hero With a Thousand Faces.” In this book, Campbell discusses his theory that every story and even sometimes real life is a different variation of the same story with a classic hero facing a conflict and in the end emerging victorious and establishing a new norm. Thinking of things this way, I discovered the pattern to ring true. The heroes in “The Scarlet Letter” is obviously Hester Prynne. Although without her mistake, none of the ridicule would have come to be, at the end of the day it is clear that both of their hearts are good. Hester is heroic in the act of putting Dimmesdale’s reputation as a minister before herself and continuing to take all the heat on her own for the mistake that both of them had made. “”Ask me not!” replied Hester Prynne, looking firmly into his face. “Thou shall never know!” (64)
Another archetype found in “The Scarlet Letter” is the constant battle of good vs. evil. In the case of this story, it aggressively rages on inside the mind of Arthur Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale is the young town minister and also the mysterious adulterer with whom Hester Prynne had the notorious affair. He knows he has committed a terrible sin according to his religion making him view himself as evil in his mind. Dimmesdale wishes to confess and often punishes himself both physically and mentally for his one mistake, wrestling constantly with his worth as a human as a result . In the end, he finally reveals the scarlet letter “A” branded on his own chest and admits to Hester, his seven year old daughter, and the town as a whole, that this is God’s mercy because he couldn’t die an unrepentant sinner. “”Hester Prynne,” cried he with a piercing earnestness, “In the name of Him, so terrible and merciful who gives me grace, at this last moment to do what- for my own heavy sin and miserable agony- I withheld myself from doing seven years ago, come hither now and twine thy strength about me!” (207) He goes on to own up to illegitimately fathering Hester’s child. “At last! At last I stand upon the spot where seven years I should have stood...There stood one in the midst of you, at whose brand of sin and infamy ye have not shuddered!” (208) After his confession and a final kiss from his daughter, he passes away then and there. Good beat evil in his mind before it was too late and he died a clean man. Throughout the entire book he knew right from wrong and that he had a choice to make. It took seven years, but eventually Dimmesdale did the right thing.
A classical allusion ever present in “The Scarlet Letter” is the mention of and reference to The Bible. When Hester commits adultery the puritan society in which she lives literally tries her as a criminal. Nowhere in the laws of the United States has having an affair ever actually been illegal. No, Hester broke laws established by the Bible and the way her town treated her was a result of their religious views.””Hester Prynne”, said the Clergyman, “I have striven with my young brother here, under whose preaching of the word you have been privileged to sit.. That he should deal with you, here in the face of Heaven and before these wise and upright rulers and in hearing of all the people, as touching the vileness and blackness of your sin.”” (56) She is literally on trial for a SIN not a crime. This sin sets the entire story line and all leads back to the Bible without a direct mention of a verse forbidding adultery.
1 comment:
I think that your introduction reflects interestingly on the quality of this post's assignment, for one, it's an assignment which actually makes you think and learn and grow, and as such was a good assignment. That being said, I'm glad you did your research, because you provide great insight in your post (and seem to have enjoyed learning about it and becoming interested in the topic, which is always a plus).
I'm also very interested in your agreement with Joseph Campbell's philosophy or the hero, that every work and even real life, is based on the same plot of the hero facing a conflict and emerging a victorious and better person, or every person constantly fighting their own conflicts and emerging better for it, the hero of their own stories. I would have to disagree with Campbell's theory, it seems impossible to imagine that all stories and all of everyone's lives are that similar, and that there's only ever one true outcome. I do agree, however, that this story line is applicable to The Scarlet Letter. Clearly, in the struggle between good and evil that rages on through Minister Dimmesdale, Dimmesdale conquers evil and becomes good by admitting and atoning for his sin. This re-enforces the archetype of the hero fighting their own conflicts and emerging as a better person.
While discussing the biblical allusions inside of The Scarlet Letter you note that the United States have never upheld biblical law over legal law, you fail to note that many of our laws have been based off of biblical or at least common religious law. Murder is against the law, and "thou shalt not kill" is ever-present in most popular religions, and it was just last year that same sex marriage was legalized, and it was kept illegal for all those years largely in part to religious advocacy for keeping it illegal; and the argument on illegalizing abortion is largely fueled by religious ideal.
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