Scarlet Letter Patriarchy Quotes

In the Scarlet letter, Hester takes part and rejects the gender roles of her society. This reinforces and undermines patriarchal ideology. For starters, she is seen as a powerful and able woman. "She was self-ordained a Sister of Mercy…Such helpfulness was found in her,—so much power to do, and power to sympathize…so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman's strength." (Hawthorne, 123-124) This shows that Hester Prynne is an able, strong, independent woman who does not need to rely on a man. She is self-ordained, and strong, which is frowned upon by patriarchal ideology. Men think that a woman is unable to take care of herself, but Hester however shows that even though she is a woman, she is able. Hester also shows independent will, which goes

Hester however is reluctant, and does not give in to the orders of the men, which proves that she is against patriarchy. Mr. Dimmesdale even comments about her strong will: "Wonderous strength and generosity of a woman's heart! She will not speak!" (Hawthorne, 51) Hester however shows a patriarchal ideal that is most common in patriarchies: The idea that the woman is the caretaker of the child. Although Hester is the only one looking after Pearl, she still has the heart of a mother, and looks after Pearl like a mother would. "Standing alone in the world,—alone, as to any dependence on society, and with little Pearl to be guided and protected." (Hawthorne, 126) As most mothers are, it is their duty to protect their child and to guide them. Women have been given this role since the very beginning of time in multiple societies, and Hester is a fellow woman of this stereotype placed upon her gender. Hester also shows a great feminine quality in her work of clothing, which is a patriarchal ideology that women are into designing and creating