Scarlet Letter thread #1
Discuss the relationship between the scarlet letter and Hester’s identity. Why does she repeatedly refuse to stop wearing the letter? What is the difference between the identity she creates for herself and the identity society assigns to her?
Also might want to discuss why she dresses her daughter in a semblance of the scarlet letter??
ReplyDeleteThis is her way to expose to her self and never let her self forget what she has done and to make herself pay for what she has done. She feels incredably guilty but yet she sees others like her that aren't wearing the scarlet letter that should be wearing one, so in a way she also is the sacrifical lamb if you will. At the begining she is compaired to the madana and child.
ReplyDeleteI used to agree with you Terri, but on rereading this, I don't know if I do anymore. I think, perhaps, in a perverse way, she is PROUD of the Scarlet Letter. That's why she leaves it on even as an elderly woman
DeleteHester’s identity and the scarlet letter is whom she is and is used as a reminder of the situation that has happened. If she removes the scarlet letter, the power is then removed of who she is thought of to be. Hester wanted to wear the letter because she wanted to change the meaning behind the letter. Although, the letter was a punishment, a large part of her represented her mistakes. Hester decided to not wear the letter occasionally and at first, the letter started with the meaning “Adultery”, but then it changed to “Able.” Hester wanted to determine what the meaning of the scarlet letter was because it had to do with her identity. Hester no longer wanted people to tell her who she was; she needed to find out for herself so she stopped wearing the letter to do so. Society assigns an identity to someone who it might not be fit for them and Hester is seen as a mother in prison who committed a crime. Society will see the letter as a mistake and while people thought Hester was wrong for her mistake, others realized that she had gone through a lot and there are many others who have done the same.
ReplyDeleteI see that Hester is the scarlet letter, but I don't think she believes that it is an all bad symbol. I see her as being stronger than the letter, the letter is a stiched piece of fabric while she is a woman who is determine to not let it define her. She keeps herself strong and continues even when the letter tries to hold her back. The difference between the two idenities is that one is her view of herself and the only view that should matter while soceity sees it as a bad thing it is not always bad.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's just me but I don't entirly believe that she is okay with it. The scene where she casted the letter off at the stream was as if she was casting off the sinn, not herself. By releasing the letter she was freeing herself. Plus, she was planning to run away with the preacher, I don't see that as a strong move, they should confront their past not run.
DeleteI agree with both of you. I don't think she sees it as an all-bad symbol either. After all, she has Pearl and the love of her life connected to it. HOWEVER--it would be a relief not to be judged all the time and stared at and punished. Two sides to a coin.
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