Essay on Puritans in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel...

Over three centuries ago, Witch Trials plagued the thirteen colonies. Many men and women were tried based on flimsy evidence and eventually hung for their â€Å"crimes†. Being a sore spot in American History, Nathaniel Hawthorne felt the brunt of it. His great-great -grandfather, William Hathorne, was the judge during the famous Salem Witch Trials where he condemned and executed several citizens. On Nathaniel’s way to becoming a renowned author in the United States, Nathaniel changed his last name by adding a ‘w’ to distance himself from his familys past. He later published The Scarlet Letter, which can be described as an attack on the Puritan religion and their behavior. Nathaniel contrasts Puritan and Romantic characteristics to†¦show more content†¦With the Puritans cruel, biblical nature in the novel many would not be surprised if Hester is the ideal mother in the novel, expressing her love to her acclaimed â€Å"demon child†. Her child behaves as a â€Å"witch† to the citizens of the town with her behavior, â€Å"There was witchcraft in Pearl’s eyes, and her face as she glanced upward at the minister, so elfish.† (Hawthorne 151). Even if Pearl appears different than the other children, her mother still floods her with love as the townspeople scorn her. Throughout The Scarlet Letter Hawthorne emphasizes her behavior, â€Å"This image†¦seemed to communicate with its own shadowy and intangible quality to the child herself.† (Hawthorne 153) As Pearl looks into a brook she believes there is another identical Pearl on the other side. Many citizens would look upon this as a sign of the devil, yet Hester considers this interaction as nothing but child’s play. With the Puritans harsh behavior to a child who appears and behaves differently, many would question what would h ave happened if she had been born into a more religious family. Many readers can witness the differences in personality from the beginning of The Scarlet Letter. When Hester approaches the townspeople after being released from jail she behaves in what would be shocking, â€Å"†¦with a burning blush, and yet a haughty smile, and a glance that would not be abashed†¦.† (Hawthorne 50). After just being released from prison, Hester reactsShow MoreRelatedPuritan Society In The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne1127 Words   |  5 PagesIn the Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne harshly criticizes Puritan society. From hypocrisy to forgiveness, Hawthorne uses hidden messages and motifs to express his criticism of society and to spread his messages. A social judgement explored by Hawthorne is that a majority perspective stifles individuality. Dimmesdale best exemplifies the social judgement presented in the novel. Puritanical society’s ideals suppress Dimmesdale’s desire to come out as a sinner because he has a status he isn’t willingRead MoreThe Puritan Community in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne687 Words   |  3 PagesThe Puritan Community in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne The Scarlet Letter, a novel by Nathaniel Hawthorn takes place in Boston of 1640 of Puritan community. It shows a dark, gray, violently moral society found as a kind of Puritan Utopia. The main characters in the story are Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth. This novel illustrates the effects of sin on the heart and minds, how a persons downfall may be caused by the destructive human emotions of hiddenRead MorePuritans in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Essay1427 Words   |  6 PagesNathaniel Hawthorne opens his most famous novel, The Scarlet Letter, in the midst of the action. 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Nathaniel Hawthorne conveyed a dark and romantic style of writing in â€Å"The Scarlet Letter†, impacting the society by focusing on the concepts of romanticism. The Scarlet Letter is considered a classic book and is still read today. Nathaniel Hathorne was born in Salem, Massachusetts on July 4, 1804. He was the son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth ClarkRead MoreThe Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne1397 Words   |  6 PagesFebruary 2016 The Scarlet Letter was written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1850 which is based on the time frame of the Puritans, a religious group who arrived in Massachusetts in the 1630’s. The Puritans were in a religious period that was known for the strict social norms in which lead to the intolerance of different lifestyles. Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the puritan’s strict lifestyles to relate to the universal issues among us. The time frame of the puritans resulted in Hawthorne eventually thinkingRead MoreEssay On John Hathorne878 Words   |  4 Pages   Ã‚  Ã‚   Nathaniel Hawthorne was greatly influenced by his great- great grandfather, John Hathorne, to develop the novel The Scarlet Letter.   John hathorne was involved in the persecution of several people in the Salem, Massachusetts (encyclopedia). JOHN HATHORNE AND THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS   Ã‚  Ã‚   In the year 1692, the Salem Witch Trials began and John Hathorne was chosen by Governor Sir William Phips to be a judge during the trials.   Hathorne believed that Satan had the power to pressure people into harmingRead MoreAntifeminist and Feminism within The Scarlet Letter1388 Words   |  6 PagesAntifeminist and Feminism within The Scarlet Letter In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s â€Å"The Scarlet Letter† Hester Prynne is accused and convicted of adultery. During the puritan era women in this society had specific obligations and rights they had to maintain. By Hester having an affair and acting unladylike the community disapproved of her actions causing everyone to isolate her in her town. Due to Hester Prynne’s Isolation and the harsh judgment she received from everyone in her town, she goes throughRead MoreEssay Nathaniel Hawthorne1152 Words   |  5 PagesNathaniel Hawthorne’s hatred of Puritanism was so big that he described in many of his writing such as The Scarlet Letter and The Minster Black Veil. He usually satirized them as evildoers and sin creators, not holy and Christ zealous as they described themselves. Hawthorne also used the effects of mysterious human mind and spontaneous action to describe the Puritan as satanic worship and God disobedience. In result, his writing reflected much of his P uritan ancestry affections. Nathaniel Hawthorne