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the scarlet letter Essay Examples

1779 total results

The Romantic Heroine in The Scarlet Letter, a Novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1057 words, 3 pages)

Hester Prynne is considered to be both one of the first heroines and feminist icons in American Literature. This is despite Nathaniel Hawthorne, born on July 4, 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts, being labelled as a misogynist, threatened by the growing feminist movement. How Hawthorne portrays his female protagonist and her ... Read More

The Symbolism of the Character of Pearl in The Scarlet Letter, a Novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1241 words, 4 pages)

Nathaniel Hawthorne is famed for the way in which he paints an extremely vivid picture of his characters. Each character has an incredible number of layers that are exposed as the work unfolds. The Scarlet Letter, by far Hawthornes most well know work, is a flawless example of his character ... Read More

The Path to Redemption in The Scarlet Letter, a Novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1037 words, 3 pages)

Sinners SalvationPuritans ideology is based on the belief of everyone being born a sinner and will burn in hell if they commit an act of sin. Because of this, the society treats those who sin as already damned to hell, and acts such as adultery is often punishable by being ... Read More

The Feeling of Sympathy Provoked by Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (2453 words, 7 pages)

In both Frankenstein and The Scarlet Letter it is clear to see how sympathy would be created for the outsiders in each novel, the creature through its active rejection from everyone it faces in society as a result of its appearance. As for Hester she faces rejection from society as ... Read More

The Concept of Symbolism in The Scarlet Letter, a Novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne (769 words, 2 pages)

Symbolism in The Scarlet LetterSymbols signify ideas and qualities by giving them a meaning that is different from their literal sense. They help the author portray overall ideas and morals for the story. In Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter, a few examples of this include the rose bush outside the ... Read More

Guilt, Innocence, and Sin in The Scarlet Letter, a Novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne (665 words, 2 pages)

Themes of Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet LetterIn Nathaniel Hawthornes novel The Scarlet Letter, many themes are offered to thereader. The Scarlet Letter is a novel written in the 19th century by the first American author. A woman by the name of Hester Prynne commits adultery and is punished by being ... Read More

Pearl as the Redeemer of Characters in The Scarlet Letter, a Novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne (994 words, 3 pages)

Pearl as RedeemerPearl is more of a symbol than a character in The Scarlet Letter, acting as the redeemer for each character and helping him or her atone and then achieve salvation. Most importantly, she aids Hester in her role as the Penitent Sinner, consistently forcing her to reflect on ... Read More

The Thin Line of Societal Laws in The Scarlet Letter, a Novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne (818 words, 3 pages)

How far is too far?More often than not, society makes laws that cross the fine line between personal and political actions. Many members of society feel that it is necessary to dictate how citizens choose to live their lives by creating ridiculous laws and forcing the citizens to comply with ... Read More

Comparing the Similarities and Differences Between the Characters of Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter and Olive Penderghast from Easy A (481 words, 2 pages)

There were many similarities between Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter and Olive Prendergast from Easy A. Both of these characters were gifted in embroidery and both kept secrets for other people who may not have deserved it. Hester and Olive were also very different. What was different was that ... Read More

The Use of Archetypes in The Scarlet Letter, a Novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1069 words, 4 pages)

Embodiment of Symbols- The Scarlet LetterSinning along with the consequences of ostracization are embraced in The Scarlet Letter, a novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne constructed around the Puritan society. Told from the perspective of an unknown narrator, Hawthorne implements several archetypes to further the meaning of this tale such as The ... Read More

The Significance of Pearl and Her Effect on the Characters in Paragraphs 2-3 in The Scarlet Letter, a Novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne (472 words, 2 pages)

Key Passage Analysis The Scarlet LetterIn Chapter 6 of The Scarlet Letter, paragraphs 2-3 focuses on the significance of Pearl and her effect on the characters in the novel by utilizing the literary and rhetorical devices such as imagery, diction, and syntax. Nathaniel Hawthorne creates the idea that despite Pearls ... Read More

The Major Role of Sexism in the Life of Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter, a Novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne (486 words, 2 pages)

Reading ResponseIn the historical novel, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1850), the protagonist Hester Prynne discovers that sexism takes a large role in her life by determining how the public looks and treats her for committing adultery, while on the opposite end of the line, the man whom she ... Read More

The Gloomy and Crude Characteristics of Society in The Scarlet Letter, a Novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1137 words, 4 pages)

In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the Puritan society is constantly described in opposition to the wilderness around it. One symbol of nature, the rose-bush, stands in stark contrast to the dark nature of society. This is demonstrated by the placing of the rose-bush next to the gloomy prison ... Read More

The Importance of Finding Happiness and Freedom in The Scarlet Letter, a Novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1044 words, 3 pages)

Do I feel joy again? cried he, wondering at himself. Methought the germ of it was dead in me! O Hester, thou art my better angel! I seem to have flung myself - sick, sin-stained, and sorrow-blackened - down upon these forest-leaves, and to have risen up all made anew, ... Read More

The Symbolism of the Letter “A” in The Scarlet Letter, a Book by Nathaniel Hawthorne (2257 words, 7 pages)

In The Scarlet Letter, readers have the opportunity to discover andsolve many different meaning of symbolic objects that are placed throughoutthe novel such as the scarlet 'A' that impacts not only the character of"Hester" but everyone that is around her and the character of "Pearl" whois considered as a living ... Read More

The Self-Destruction and Consequences of Revenge in The Scarlet Letter, a Novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne (898 words, 4 pages)

Revenge Acceptable or Condemnable?Living creatures often find themselves at odds with the individuals with whom they associate. In the event of defeat, humans seek revenge on the victor in hopes of satisfying the desire for justice. While this option appeals to ones wounded pride, several drawbacks accompany acts of revenge. ... Read More

The Conversation between Dimmesdale and Chillingworth in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter (614 words, 2 pages)

Chillingworth has the idea that Dimmesdale might be Pearls father. They talk about keeping secrets, and Dimmesdale thinks that people who keep their secrets as opposed to revealing them, despite the consequences, are more miserable. Dimmesdale and Chillingworth talk about the justification of keeping ones sinful secret from the world. ... Read More

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne: Punishment vs. Forgiveness and Other Themes (1676 words, 6 pages)

The Scarlet Letter Punishment means the infliction or imposition of a penalty as retribution of an offense, whereas forgiveness means the action or process of forgiving or being forgiven. The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne depicts punishment vs. forgiveness, as well as several other themes. Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote several ... Read More

The Portrayal of Pearl as the Physical Embodiment of Hester’s Punishment in The Scarlet Letter, a Novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne (976 words, 3 pages)

Pearl, the Other Half of the Scarlet LetterIn the 2014 film The Equalizer, directed by Antoine Fuqua, Denzel Washingtons character, Robert Bob McCall, lives a quiet life in Boston because he had promised his wife that he would leave behind his old life as a black ops operative. However, death ... Read More

The Literary Archetypes in The Scarlet Letter, a Novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne (772 words, 3 pages)

The Scarlet Letter ICE Revision The Puritans were among the first of the English to colonize in earlyAmerica. These people left Europe, determined, courageous and powerful, topursue their own religious ideals and practices in the New World. Theirvalues as a strict and religious people set the stage for Hester Prynne'spunishment ... Read More

The Life of Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter, a Novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne (524 words, 2 pages)

In Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter, we meet very interesting and detailed characters, including the main protagonist, Hester Prynne. Hester goes through quite a few changes throughout the novel, both emotional and physical. From the start of the book, we dont know much about Hesters life, except that she was married ... Read More

The Unusual Heroes in the Characters of Hester Prynne and Nick Carraway in the Novels The Scarlet Letter and The Great Gatsby (1396 words, 4 pages)

The technical definition of a hero is a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for their brave deeds and noble qualities(dictionary.com). When thinking of a hero in a book, one might think of a strong and brave man who fights in battle to save someone. A Hero does not ... Read More

The Character Development of Arthur Dimmesdale in The Scarlet Letter, a Novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne (591 words, 2 pages)

Arthur Dimmesdale Character Development In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, Arthur Dimmesdale is oneof the main characters - the Puritan minister. From the beginning to theend of the book, we learn more about him with every chapter. He grows onthe reader and becomes lovable. His personality is very interesting, andwith ... Read More

The Stench of a Guilty Conscience in The Scarlet Letter, a Book by Nathaniel Hawthorne (280 words, 1 pages)

The Man with a Guilty ConscienceThe internalization of ones guilt is shown to have an effect on mental and emotional stability. Plautus once said that, nothing is more wretched than the mind of a man conscious of guilt, and this guilt brings unhappiness and frustration onto oneself. These common negative ... Read More

A Comparison of the Types of Freedom in Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston and The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (673 words, 2 pages)

The Two Types of FreedomWhen comparing Zora Neale Hurstons Novel Their Eyes Were Watching God to Nathaniel Hawthornes Novel The Scarlet Letter, one common motif comes to mind instantly, freedom. Both books consistently use symbols such as clothing and hair confinement to get the theme of female oppression across to ... Read More

Public Humiliation in The Scarlet Letter, a Novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne (766 words, 3 pages)

Social Themes Present in The Scarlet Letter Then and NowThe Scarlet Letter, a harsh story of a womans struggle in a Puritan society of 17th century Boston, can represent todays society in a variety of ways. Though set in two different eras, both then and now continue to have similar ... Read More

The Nature of Evil in The Scarlet Letter, a Novel by John Steinbeck (654 words, 2 pages)

In the novel the Scarlet Letter there are many themes that, although old, are still relevant today. One of these themes is the nature of evil, and how the evil within one person can bring out the evil within others around them. A common cause of evil within a person ... Read More

Love and Revenge in the Novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1633 words, 5 pages)

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a novel about love and revenge. When Hester Prynne has an affair with Reverand Arthur Dimmesdale while her husband is out of America, she does not realize it is going blow up into what it did. This book shows the reader that ones ... Read More

Hester Prynne’s Fight for Freedom in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1360 words, 6 pages)

Freedom JamesBaldwin once said Freedom is not something that anybody can be given freedom is something people take and people are as free as they can be. The truth of this statement is illustrated inThe Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne in the behavior of the main character, Hester Prynn. Hester ... Read More

The Representation of Women in The Scarlet Letter, The Crucible and The Glass Menagerie (804 words, 3 pages)

What woman is always proper, honorable, hospitable, and perfect? Orperhaps submissive, inferior, a child bearer, and a servant? There is nosingle definition used to describe any woman, even though many thinkotherwise and create stereotypes. A woman defines herself by the way sheacts and portrays her life. Hester Prynne in the ... Read More

Published: Friday 25th of January 2013