Children and adults differ in the way they perceive the world, but fear passes down from one generation to another generation and from one civilization to other civilizations. Adults can and should learn from ‘childish’ behavior, just as children have long learned from the adults in their environment. This behavior includes the way children view the world without fear and focus on key traits. Adults grow out of the observing phase and act on the societal grounds upon which they have learned. In The Scarlet Letter, Nathanial Hawthorne describes a time period where adults need a child’s help most. The citizens of the Puritan society have long been trained to act painstakingly pure by the church through methods of fear. Hawthorne presents this …show more content…
She could become a role model for many. Pearl helps inspire Dimmesdale into coming forth with the truth, and, if she interacts more, could convince Chillingworth to come forth becoming an honest man no longer blinded by shallow revenge. Hester begins learning from Pearl, although her original Puritan upbringing leaves a mark on her character. She never lies about her mistakes or acts above her neighbor, though she slightly conforms to the Puritan society by hiding her beauty to be more accepted by the same people who judge her. “Hester next gathered up the heavy tresses of her hair, and confined them beneath her cap” (166). Unfortunately, very few in today’s day can break free of fear and tradition. All around the world children and adults are either forced to compete with others or with their own selves for a decent life. This happens in situations where working hard, either at one’s job or education, determines if one lives a life of an outcast or not. Breaking away from societies’ customs require a significant change usually from many who work extremely hard, such as Nelson Mandela. Mandela worked diligently through tough periods in his education, in his work with the African National Congress, and in surviving his long sentence in prison, and he ended the apartheid taking place as South Africa’s first president. The Puritan society, long set in their ways, controls citizens’ …show more content…
Instead of keeping secrets and taking selfish actions, everyone should learn and be true to themselves and one another. Children look at the world with wonder and curiosity, while adults only focus on what could potentially harm their social status. Anyone living with a mind corrupted by society will desperately do any truthful or untruthful act to avoid societal exile and its punishments. Ideally, fear should not dictate what the public tells as the truth and acts