Letter Not Meant For Purpose

Reread The Scarlet Letter. In high school, I hated this book, because the symbolism was rampant. Re-reading this book as a well-read adult, made me appreciate the work. Considering Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote this in the early 1800s is quite remarkable. I have found, though, that literature is less censured than public discussion of unaccepted practices. Adultery and unwed mothers being two ostracized subjects.

 The plot for the Scarlet Letter is a woman has a baby by someone other than her husband in 17th century Puritan America. Nobody knows who the father is. The only thing we do know is her husband has been absent for two years, which makes this adultery. And she is punished as an example to prevent others from straying down the dark and sordid road.

I hate that Hester is mistreated like she is. Hester made one mistake in her life, which just so happens to be quite public. She's otherwise kind, religious, strong, and independent. Throughout the book she redefines the definition of being a Christian, a woman's domestic roles, and personal independence.

I hate symbolism, although Hester, Arthur, Roger, the scarlet letter, and the townspeople represent symbols. I thought it was a brilliant love story, full of tragedy and sorrow. It's too bad Hester and Arthur didn't marry or run away together. I prefer that. Gothic tragedy was a popular mode of literature in early American life. They were quite enamored of death, tragedy, and symbolism.

Pearl is, of course, Hester's inner personality in physical form. Arthur is the love she never had, which is why his being a minister is so important. He's also the religion. Hester is the moral drive and the sinner. They have to intertwine or it doesn't work.

Roger is evil incarnate. The townspeople is soul of the society, which is influenced by Evil, Moral, God, Free Spirit, Controlled Will.

To digress, I liked the Scarlet Letter, after many years despising it.