The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne more than one hundred and fifty years ago has several connections to current political and societal events and issues. Drawing plenty of these connections to Americans today. Including topics such as women and their role in society and sexual fidelity. Plenty of these themes and social conflict are around today, some more prevalent than others. Even with being written so long ago, Hawthorne brings up several topics that are major issues in the world. Not only here in America, but in a number of other countries as well.
One of the more major issues that relate directly with the book that is common today is women and their role in society. In the book, the main character Hester Prynne is looked down upon immensely. When Hester is given the scarlet letter “a” to wear she is immediately considered an outcast. The “A” was given to her for the crime of adultery, in which Hester did not actually indeed commit. Women in The Scarlet Letter are discriminated against often and considered second class. This is a great connection to today’s society because women everyday are having breakthrough after breakthrough with their progress and how they are viewed in society. One of the most notable recent events is the first woman to win a nomination for presidency. Hillary Clinton is making large footsteps for women and proving that they can not only do a man’s job, but possibly even exceed them. There are thousands of movements in America, and other countries to greaten the role of women in society. Also to make people aware of their capabilities. Just like women and their movements today, despite any adversity Hester strives to be passionate about life and how she lives it. Even though society may view her as an outcast or insane. For example, “...made a halo of the misfortune and ignominy in which she was enveloped” (Hawthorne 40). In this quote Hawthorne portrays Hester as a beautiful victim of her passion and as a woman who as a consequence of her actions bravely embraces her much shameful punishment.
Another large issue in the book related to today’s events is the problem of sexual fidelity. Faithfulness in The Scarlet Letter plays a huge role in the plot. Not only in the literature, but it is a big deal in reality too. Today, there are plenty of occurrences in which people have affairs or go against rules of marriage and start to see another person of the opposite gender. Which is not their spouse. Yet in the book, Hester has an apparent affair with an unknown man. She will not reveal whether or not it is her husband from back home, or another man from the states. She is publicly ridiculed for her actions and is made an example of someone that no one would like to be. TImes have changed quite greatly since then however. The public ridicule that Hester had to endure would be nothing like it is now. Nowadays if something like this were to occur, it would be kept quiet and at a low level unlike the story. During this time period of the book being written, there were movements being created to further the role of women in society and to strengthen it as well. This being the most likely reason Hawthorne decided to make the main character in the image of a very strong female who supports her own ideals and opinions.
The next relatable issue is on how women were treated when the book was written, and how it is now currently in the world. Women back at this time were treated quite awfully. Hawthorne attempted to make this one of the bigger points in this book. In the 1800s, women were expected to restrict their sphere of interest mainly to their home and family. Treated as second-class individuals, women were not expected to or encouraged to pursue a career or obtain an education. After marriage, a woman did not have the right to own property either. Whereas women today are living completely different lives. Every single right a man has today, a woman has too. No longer second-class individuals like when the book was created. The role of women will vary greatly however from country to country, but in the U.S. their role greatens by the day.
In conclusion, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne does an excellent job of examining the role of women in society, as well as their sexual fidelity. The plot in the book is so brilliant and versatile towards the idea of empowerment of women; this being the reason why the book continues to be relevant today. The themes which Hawthorne discusses so brilliantly are still applicable today, just as they were when the book was written.
2 comments:
Cole, I found the comments you make throughout this post on the role of women in society to be very interesting. First, your connection between Hillary Clinton's history making victory in the democratic presidential primary and the severely diminished role of women in the society Hawthorne describes is a fascinating one, which I had not considered before. I had always taken for granted the equal role of women in society, and your comparison helped put it into perspective for me that this has not always been the case, as in Hawthorne's time. However, in your paragraph on sexual fidelity, I noticed a comment which I disagreed with. You claim that the reaction to an adulterous situation today would be much more quiet and be less publicized than in the novel, and I do not necessarily believe this is the case. Obviously, in today's society a scarlet letter would never be attached to a person in order to publicly shame them. However, that does not mean sexual infidelity would fly under the radar, and there is no social stigma associated with it. For example, I would point out two famous cases of sexual infidelity, one involving Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky, and the other involving Todd Courser and Cindy Gamarat. In both of these cases, the public shame brought down on those involved was very strong, and there were many serious consequences associated with it. Therefore, in that sense today is very similar to Hawthorne's society. Despite this disagreement, it was a very good post!
In your introduction you are clear and to the point, which in my opinion, is a good thing. You are unambiguous as you connect the struggles which Hester undergoes to the struggles of many women in modern day. You accurately portray Hester as a sort of martyr for women, which in The Scarlet Letter she adamantly considers herself -- or at least, she considers herself a martyr for the good of her daughter, another woman.
One thing that I have a bone to pick with your post is that you imply Hillary Clinton is the first woman to be nominated for President, as she was not. That was actually Victoria Woodhull in 1872, followed by Belva Ann Lockwood in 1884 and 1888, and many more momentous women.
It does strike me as odd that you would go into such biblical terms of adultery as to commend the view of nonmarital sex while specifically pointing out "with a member of the same sex", but perhaps I was misunderstanding. Aside from that I appreciate your view of Hawthorne to be somewhat of a feminist -- it isn't something I've seen much of before so it seems to be a unique or near unique insight. It makes sense, an I'm surprised it hadn't occurred to me as well!
Overall, you are comprehensible and upfront throughout the post and present your thoughts and insights in a way that is read with ease. There are some points that I wish you would have made that I didn't see, but in the whole picture, I respect the points which you did bring up and I definitely think that as you've said, The Scarlet Letter definitely rings true and is still very much applicable today.
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