Similarities Between The Scarlet Letter And The Awakening

Lily Ferguson, Mrs. Settembrino American Literature Honors 10 May 2024 Edna Pontillier and Hester Prynne’s Divergent Paths to Freedom Is prioritizing personal freedom inherently selfish? Or is it a fundamental human right? Do their motives reflect their ideas of freedom? Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter lives in a Puritan society where freedom for women is hard to come by. The society she lives in is not easy to accept, especially as she is well known for her crimes of adultery. She prioritizes her freedom and the freedom of her daughter, Pearl. Edna Pontillier from The Awakening also lives in a patriarchal society, where she feels held captive by her mother and wifely duties. She ends up unfaithful to her husband, with two different men.

He had a New England upbringing and a Puritan background, which influenced his works. He was most renowned for his novel The Scarlet Letter, which takes place in an early Puritan society where men were valued more than women. This novel explores topics of sin, redemption, and societal judgment. It also features feminist themes, laying out the main character- Hester Prynne’s- path to freedom. Kate Chopin was a naturalist and feminist author during the late nineteenth century. She was considered a “pioneer” of feminist literature, often discussing the patriarchal culture of the time. Her works have Creole and French influences, frequently debating women’s roles in Southern society. She was well known for her novel The Awakening, which challenged societal expectations of the time, as the main character, Edna Pontillier, puts her desire for independence before her children and husband. To begin, Hester Prynne and Edna Pontillier’s forbidden romances have a distinct impact on their paths toward freedom. Hester Prynne forms a relationship with Arthur Dimmesdale, proving her loyalty to her husband,

Chopin writes, “I would give up the unessential; I would give my money, I would give my life to my children, but I wouldn't give myself. I can't make it clearer; it's only something I am beginning to comprehend, which is revealing itself to me” (52). Although Edna cares about her children, she is unwilling to give up on them, as she desires independence. An excerpt from The Novel 100 states, “Chopin's refusal to condemn her protagonist, Edna Pontellier, as she eventually sacrifices her husband, her place in society, her children, and even her life in pursuit of an expanded sense of self-identity and self-determination” (Burt). The societies in which Hester and Edna live expect them to conform willingly to everything demanded. They have strict expectations as wives and mothers, with little room for fault and opposition. Hester Prynne and Edna Pontillier's motivations cause their fates to differ despite similar societal expectations. Edna pursues freedom by rejecting societal expectations and her role as a woman. When Robert leaves Edna’s life, she finds no worth or chance to achieve liberation without