...Devil in Hester’s Hell D. H. Lawrence’s On The Scarlet Letter critically analyzes Hester Prynne, the protagonist of The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. While deconstructing Prynne’s character, he uses a variety of literary techniques. In this critique, Lawrence voices his disapproval of Prynne, for he sees her as a horrible role model for women. Lawrence’s sarcastic tone, relevant allusions, and short, choppy diction are effective in evaluating Hester Prynne. Lawrence’s mocking tone reinforces his beliefs that Hester Prynne should not be regarded as a standard that anybody should live by. After calling Prynne a demon, Lawrence stated, “A man must be pure, just that you can seduce him to a fall.” Lawrence’s...
Words: 649 - Pages: 3
...Letter” criticizes Hester Prynne for being viewed as more than an adulteress. In the end, she is viewed as the heroine of the story and her title as an adulteress is simply forgotten. Lawrence’s essay revolves around the idea and act of sinning rather than its potential aftermath. Throughout the essay, Lawrence criticizes Prynne for her sin and states that she does not deserve to be the hero in Hawthorne’s novel. Lawrence uses biblical allusions, concise syntax, and alliteration to criticize Hester Prynne in a sarcastic manner. The use of biblical allusions is prevalent in D.H. Lawrence’s critique. He uses these allusions to compare Hester to the true heroes and undermine the idea of Hester being viewed as a hero. His negativity toward Prynne is especially apparent when he states,”The fiery heart. A. Mary of the Bleeding Heart. Mater Adolerata” (Lawrence 1). By comparing Prynne to this figure, Lawrence outlines shows the glaring differences between the biblical hero and the Adulteress. Mary is known to soften evil hearts while Prynne instigated the evil (Chillingsworth) and tainted a holy man (Dimmesdale). By calling Prynne Mater Adolerata, he is using sarcasm to show that Prynne is in no way a saint like Mary. While Mary...
Words: 843 - Pages: 4
...and an air of weary indifference” (Hawthorne 62). Consequently, by having Hester stand on the scaffold for three hours, she is able to relieve a part of her mind by confessing her sins and enduring the humiliation. Once she has paid her crime, Hester in the same way as Huck attains the right to go where she desires. Hester also gains a sense of personal liberty, where she learns to endure the judgement and cruelty imposed by the society and does not allow for her shame to consume her. In the scene where Hester is making her way out of the prison gates, both the letter “A” and her baby are exposed, but she “wisely [judges] that one token of her shame would but poorly serve to hide another,” so “she [takes] the baby on her arm” and “[looks] around at her townspeople and neighbours” (Hawthorne 47). Her decision to keep both her baby and letter revealed to the world portrays her first step to independence, where she goes against the idea of what the society expects her to be, which is someone who is weak and shameful. Though the evidence of her crime is clearly displayed across her chest and in her arms, she approaches the situation differently by embracing both the child and the mark as two significant things that make up who she is and by doing so, she is able to free a piece of her mind. In addition, similar to Huck’s development in discovering his “true” self and not someone who people want him to be, Hester slowly discovers how to set herself free from societal beliefs and control...
Words: 1241 - Pages: 5
...critical theory today critical theory today A Us e r - F r i e n d l y G u i d e S E C O N D E D I T I O N L O I S T Y S O N New York London Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business Routledge Taylor & Francis Group 270 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10016 Routledge Taylor & Francis Group 2 Park Square Milton Park, Abingdon Oxon OX14 4RN © 2006 by Lois Tyson Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group, an Informa business Printed in the United States of America on acid‑free paper 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 International Standard Book Number‑10: 0‑415‑97410‑0 (Softcover) 0‑415‑97409‑7 (Hardcover) International Standard Book Number‑13: 978‑0‑415‑97410‑3 (Softcover) 978‑0‑415‑97409‑7 (Hardcover) No part of this book may be reprinted, reproduced, transmitted, or utilized in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying, microfilming, and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publishers. Trademark Notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. Library of Congress Cataloging‑in‑Publication Data Tyson, Lois, 1950‑ Critical theory today : a user‑friendly guide / Lois Tyson.‑‑ 2nd ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0‑415‑97409‑7 (hb) ‑‑ ISBN 0‑415‑97410‑0 (pb) 1. Criticism...
Words: 221284 - Pages: 886
