The scarket Letter Puritan society
The Scarlet Letter - Puritan Society In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, life is centered around a rigid Puritan society in which one is unable to divulge hisor her innermost thoughts and secrets. Every human being needs the opportunity to express how he or she truly feels, otherwise the emotions are bottled up until they become volatile. Unfortunately, Puritan society did not permit this kind of expression, thus characters had to seek alternate means to relieve their personal anguishes and desires. Luckily, at least for the four main characters, Hawthorne provides such a sanctuary in the form of the mysterious forest. Hawthorne uses the forest to provide a kind of "shelter" for members of society in need of a refuge from daily Puritan life. In the deep, dark portions of the forest, many of the pivotal characters bring forth hidden thoughts and emotions. The forest track leads away from the settlement out into the wilderness where all signs of civilization vanish. This is precisely the escape route from strict mandates of law and religion, to a refuge where men, as well as women, can open up and be themselves. It is here that Dimmesdale openly
There are no restraints in the natural world, because it is just that, natural. With this plea comes an interesting sort of role-reversal. And no wonder, hemmed in, as you are, on every side by prohibitions. When Hestertakes off her cap and unloosens her hair, we see a new person. Yet, in the forest, these cares are tossed away. Where else could an incongruity such as this occur, but inan accepting environment? What other platform is there for a man of high regard in the community to pour his soul to a woman who isshunned by the public for a grave sin? Nowhere else but in the forest, could such an event occur. Hester, assuming a new position of power, gives a heartfelt, moving speech. It was here that thoughts and ideas flowed as endlessly as the babbling brook, and emotion was as wild as the forest itself. Dimmesdale has also come back to life, if only for a short time, and he is now hopeful and energetic. This is possibly one of the reasons that Puritans won't accept these emotional displays- because the society is so socially oriented. 187) If one looks at the title of this chapter, the meaning becomes much clearer. Finally, it is here that the two of them can openly engage in conversation without being preoccupied with the constraints that Puritan society places on them. " she reminds him, "had a consecration of its own.
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