Characters are important parts of most novels. Their decisions and interactions are an essential part of the plot. A character can make or break a book, especially if the entire storyline revolves around them. Hester Prynne in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter and Sula Peace in Toni Morrison’s Sula are essential character’s to their novel’s plot. They are both important women who have their similarities and differences.
Hester Prynne and Sula Peace are similar women. They are both fiercely independent and do not conform to the society in which they live’s social norms. Hester refuses to acknowledge her child’s father. She insists on raising Pearl herself and is adamant about keeping the father’s identity a secret. Sula refuses to marry and have children because she wants to remain independent. While in an argument with Eva, Sula says, "I don't want to make somebody else. I want to make myself" (1937,21). This shows that Sula wants to be her own person and plans to stay that way. They both defy social norms. Hester refuses to let the scarlet letter define her and Sula refuses to settle for a life of just marriage and children. Sula and Hester also have defining physical attributes. Sula’s birthmark on her face is seen as many different things by different people, and what they see it as reflects on them. Hester’s scarlet letter defines her to many people, but Hester does not let it define her. Both women also have sexual affairs, but Sula’s is not as defining because she is not married and Hester was. Both characters are very honest. Hester never lies, and even says "A lie is never good, even though death threaten on the other side!" Sula is very honest in who she is. She does not try to change herself or censor her actions in order to fit in to the community. Both women are also hated by their peers for not conforming to societal norms they are subjected to.
Hester and Sula have similarities, but they also have many differences. They live in very different societies and time periods. Hester lives in Puritan New England in the 1600’s and Sula lives in the black community called The Bottom in the 1900’s. As a reader, one does not know much about Hester Prynne’s past before the book takes place but much of Sula Peace’s life is accounted for. Hester’s affair is the main focus of her life because it leaves her with Pearl while the affair that Sula takes part in does not define her life. While both women are independent, they are independent in their own ways. Sula refuses to get married and have children, while Hester was married and has a child. Sula has friends and family while Hester mainly keeps to herself and has no close friends or family other than her daughter Pearl. Hester’s life choices go against what Sula wants for herself. While both women experience sexism, Sula is also subjected to racism because she is black.
I can somewhat relate to Hester and Sula because I am also a woman so I experience sexism although it may not be as extreme. I also wish to remain very independent for the rest of my life. I cannot relate to many of their hardships as I have not experienced them.
Hester Prynne and Sula Peace play important roles in their stories. They are both portrayed and written well. They experience real problems that readers can relate to, making them seem more realistic. They are both important characters.
2 comments:
To start out I would like to say that we have similar analysis as we did the same books, but instead of Hester,I did Pearl. Firstly, you stated that both Sula and Hester were hated by their peers, and although that is initially true I think that Hester's change should be noted. At the beginning of the book, she is hated for her adultery, but she eventually becomes accepted due to her charity work for the poor. One thing that you noted that I had missed was that they are both very honest. Hester in truthful in speech and, Sua is honest to herself. I had missed that and believed that Sula was a dishonest person for her constant adultery when she really was just staying true to who she was. Lastly, you had said that both Sula and Hester were both “independent in their own ways”. This is most definitely true, and it is hard to make any other argument. However, I would like to just add on that I think Sula’s and Hester’s independence are almost exact opposites. From the beginning Hester was forced to be independent, as she was basically shunned from the community due to her adultery; but as time went on she became more accepted in the community but still decided to remain independent and live outside of town. Sula on the other hand, was originally accepted but decided to stay independent from everyone except Nel at a young age. While upon her return she starts sleeping with everyone and was forced to be independent because everyone rejected her.
Lane, I agree with much of what you said. I love your analysis between the two women. You found many points, and made many connections that I wouldn't have made. I love how your writing is plaintive and easy to read and understand. I like how you related it back to yourself, and the impacts that the books had on you. Being able to relate to the characters in the books and to draw connections between their lives and ours is one of my favorite parts of reading. I like how you mention the sexism and racism the characters face in the novels. I like how you talked about their independence and their strength. I love your introduction paragraph, I think that it really gets the reader thinking and makes them want to continue to read the paper to see where your going with it. You made excellent points and used fairly strong evidence to support them. I think that you did a very good job comparing the characters, and did very well in writing it. I also like how your tone is honest and straightforward.
Austin made a good point in talking about how Hester eventually was accepted into the society through her charitable work. I would also argue that she did conform to her societies ideals somewhat because she did try to teach Pearl the Puritan ways. She also tried very hard to right her past wrongs and lived a fairly honest life. She stayed true to most Puritan teachings after she committed adultery and continuously paid penance for her sin.
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