The scarlet letter which stands for the ignominious Puritan punishment for Adultery is skilfully used by Hawthorne to denounce their rigidity. It is used as if it were a magical mirror, it magnifies the protagonists’ stances on the Puritans’ creed and judgement and has a deep impact on the characters’ development and how Hawthorne has lead them on different paths. First and foremost, the scarlet letter, as the symbol of the Puritan rigid conception of life, enables the narrator to depict the Puritans’ punishment as overreacting to a so-called sinful behaviour. As far as Hester Prynne is concerned, the scarlet letter, which first symbolises her sin, enables her to become, in the end, the embodiment of virtue and freedom of thought and to lie in sharp contrast with the Puritans. On the contrary, imprisoned in the Puritan way of thinking, the scarlet letter leads Arthur Dimmesdale to his fall.
But according to the article, "Cinderella: Not So Morally Superior" by Elisabeth Panttaja, the author tells us that the sweet-tempered, motherless young woman that we read about as children was an imposter. Panttaja opens her article with Cinderella's mother on her death-bed, advising her that if she is "good and pious"1, that she, the mother; "shall look down from heaven and take care of you"1. She explains that this opening scene in Cinderella sets forth the central problem that she must overcome; which is that her mother is absent. The arrival of a strong stepmother and stepsisters', and their unification to subjugate her, makes Cinderella appear weak. And the stepsisters' power is manifested because the stepmother is present.
Mohsin Hamid, author of the ‘Reluctant Fundamentalist’ implicates the reader within his controversial novel, to consequently highlight through the modern reader’s predetermined judgments, the ramifications of simple a misunderstanding between two cultures. The reader’s own outlooks are heightened by the use of dramatic monologue, accelerating and intensifying the tension between the characters in the novel, but also between the reader and the author himself. Hamid concentrates primarily on the imperialism of the American society and the demise, embodied within his symbolic stereotypical characters: representing their part within the fallen American empire accordingly. The 2007 novel accentuates the diverse, peculiar and differentiating qualities each one of Hamid’s characters posses and how each one aids in foreshadowing the events leading up to the deterioration of the parasitic relationship between America and Pakistan, both symbolically and literally post 9/11. Historically America has been depicted as the superior nation, deeming surrounding countries as inadequate and inferior.
Whilst both Dracula and Twilight explore similar themes they are expressed in different ways to represent different insecurities in society. For example in each text we see the classic universal battle of good versus evil however in Dracula this battle has been used to express societies fears for the loss of Christian values. In Twilight a key theme involves acceptance of others, which represents societies insecurities about the lack of acceptance for others within our modern society. The concept of the new woman used in Dracula demonstrates the 19th century role of women within society, this is then contrasted by the role of women in twilight, allowing the responder to see how differing themes in each of these gothic texts demonstrate the context of the society during the era in which they were composed. As these themes mirror the insecurities and fears of society as Dracula reflects the 19th Century society and Twilight represents a 21st Century society.
Symbols in The Scarlet Letter In Nathaniel Hawthorne's book The Scarlet Letter there are a few key symbols that represent major themes throughout the book. . The most obvious and well known, as it is in the title, is the scarlet letter Hester is forced to wear. Initially the letter "A" symbolizes the sin of adultery. In the 2nd chapter, Hester walks out of the prison, wearing the infamous scarlet letter ‘A’.
Hawthorne’s Symbolic Method in “The Scarlet Letter” “The Scarlet Letter” is a romance of the 19 century which beyond any doubt, carries the reader into the story’s time and place. Moreover the description of characters, places and objects leads the reader to think, and sometimes only to perceive subconsciously, about the bygone society in which the story takes place. The narrative, even though has a fictional character, is a symbolic representation of historical facts in America’s earliest societies. The description of this context is not always explicit nor shows superficially the mode of life in puritan communities, but it explores into the puritan consciousness and questions its moral codes. Hawthorne uses the story of Hester Prynne to exemplify this.
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a compelling novel about the repercussions of guilt and “sin”. While this story takes place in a strict Puritan community, one can see the relation of Sigmund Freud theories of libido that can be compared to this novel because it discusses the passion that exists as a natural part of human nature which criticizes that community’s strict ways. Pearl, Hester’s child comes into the story at the very beginning; “a great law had been broken; and the result was a being, whose elements were perhaps beautiful and brilliant, but all in disorder.” (62). Pearl represents the innocence of the natural human desires. Hester named Pearl Pearl because she gave all she had for her and so she is of great value such as a pearl.
Symbol and Interpretation in Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter. When Hester comes back to New England, Nathaniel Hawthorne comments upon her return with this sentence: she "resumed the symbol of which we have related so dark a tale." The letter, as a "symbol," is thus the central subject of the book; Hester's story itself only corresponds to the "small roll of dingy paper" that provides an insight into the elusive meaning of the letter. The reader is thus invited to consider the whole story as a progressive uncovering of the "truth" of a symbol that constitutes one of the most enigmatic elements of American literature. Critics over the years focused on this search for a hidden significance, and put forward their own interpretation of this "truth."
“The Pumpkin Eater” By Alexi Kondylas The short story "The Pumpkin Eater" by Isabelle Carmody is a coming-of-age rite of passage and an allegory. Events in the narrative show quest conventions that are common throughout history. Like with; traditional gender roles are restrictive, beauty can cause unhappiness for women, and that love and marriage trap women. The quest short narrative have conventions that assist the exploration of ideas with the quest - the journey and prize. At the beginning of the story, the protagonist (princess) thought that having true happiness meant finding a man/prince to sweep her off of her feet/ to instantly fall in love , and take her away from her castle/home.
Theme of isolation and Alienation in The Scarlet Letter Throughout the novel, The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne emphasizes the intricate themes of isolation and alienation. Using a variety of literary techniques and descriptions of emotions and nature, he is able to fully depict the inner feelings of hurt suffered by the central characters as a result of severe loneliness and seclusion. Hawthorne suggests that consequence of sin is alienation. The alienation may be physical, spiritual, or emotional. The theme is expressed in three characters: Hester Prynne, Reverand Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth.