Stark Romanticism
"Change," declared political science writer Saul Alinsky, "means movement. Movement means friction." Indeed, society transformed and clashed between 1649 and 1850 as the austere Puritan lifestyle gave way to Romanticism. Because of their distinct contrasts, The Scarlet Letter, a nineteenth-century tale of punishment against sin in seventeenth-century Boston, misrepresents Puritan life. Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter applies a Romantic technique of literature to illustrate Puritanism by tinting situations in the story to a nineteenth century approach.By describing Hester's punishment as romantic fantasy rather than Puritan custom, Hawthorne imposes Romanticism into The Scarlet Letter. The plot initiates as Hester Prynne receives punishment for committing adultery with the clandestine Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, the zenith of divinity within the Boston community. As a punishment for her crime, Boston magistrates require Hester to wear a letter 'A' on her clothing to remind her, and others, of her sinful deeds. Upon receiving her punishment, one town's woman cries out, "This woman has brought shame upon us all and ought to die" (Hawthorne 49). The exclamation of the anonymous voice points out the brutality associated with
in so many futile methods, followed out - by inflicting a hideous torture to himself" (252-253). Roles swap, as nature affirms virtue instead of an origin for evil. I well-night promised the Black Man that comely Hester Prynne should make one" (113). Indeed, the woods symbolize acceptance and virtue rather than evil. The self-inflicted horror, an example of gothic detail, centers on dismal pain and anguish. Dimmesdale's internal pain becomes eminently visible, as he appears "Haggard and feeble and betrayed. Romanticism is evident in the gothic details of Dimmesdale's character. For instance, Anne Bradstreet's seventeenth century Puritan poem, The Flesh and Spirit exemplifies Puritan outlooks by proclaiming, "For glory doth from God proceed" (Robb 196). Hawthorne depicts the personal agony of Dimmesdale by using gruesomely gothic detail, a technique unique to Romantic literature. Romantics view the world as a source for good, while Puritans consider it a struggle against evil. Despite Hester's rejection, Hibbins asks, "Wilt thou go with us tonight? . Because a Puritanical reverend represents God, Puritan literature does portray a reverend as dispirited but rather a source for blessedness. Naturally, two culpable parties arise from adulterous actions, yet unlike Hester; Dimmesdale eludes public punishment for his misdeeds in exchange for private torment.
Common topics in this essay:
Hester Prynne,
Conversely Hester,
Hester Dimmesdale,
Scarlet Letter,
Flesh Spirit,
Arthur Dimmesdale,
Puritan Romantic,
Saul Alinsky,
Bostonians Hester,
Notably Hawthorne,
scarlet letter,
hester prynne,
hester's punishment,
letter 'a',
puritan literature,
puritan outlooks,
nineteenth century,
exemplifies puritan,
puritan life,
gothic detail,
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Acceptance Essays
