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Essay On Feminism In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

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Feminism in The Scarlet Letter

Theories and ideas associated with feminism in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter are extremely common.
One of the first main points needed to be considered in The Scarlet Letter is Nathaniel Hawthorne's own misogyny and that of the time period he is writing. Misogyny can be described as “ the hatred of, contempt for, and prejudices against women or girls”. (Wang) In the time of the Puritans, women were expected to stay in the home, cook, clean, and take care of children. In addition to the beliefs of the time, women also had to be strict followers of the Bible. The Scarlet Letter, being written in this time, had to follow these ideas. We see his examples of this by how harshly Hester Prynne was punished. However, Hawthorn is of a different time than the puritans. He was writing during the emergence of women’s rights in the United States. “The first woman's-rights convention at Seneca Falls, N.Y., was held in 1848, two years before The Scarlet Letter was published.” (Seabrook) We see this in Hawthorn allowing Hester to create her own business, take care of a child on her own, and overall be a strong female character. In addition, he showed both genders could equally be corrupted. “Hawthorne equally exposed the …show more content…

In The Scarlet Letter, the scarlet letter “A” on Hester’s chest changes meaning among the people from adultery to angel. Society slowly realizes the Hester is a kind, wonderful woman through her good deeds. Considering the change of women’s rights in Hawthorne's time, The Scarlet Letter is a source of optimism for the struggling suffragettes. “Hester Prynne can be seen as Hawthorne's literary contemplation of what happens when women break cultural bounds and gain personal power.” (Seabrook) Hawthorne’s writing can be used as an argument of the good things that can be done by women, despite the prejudices brought upon

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