Tensions+in+Hawthorne

Tensions in Hawthorne What are Hawthorne’s messages? How does he convey them? Symbol – something that plays a part in a story and stands for a larger idea. Romanticism – where emotions are heightened. Transc. – where it is easier to ponder connections to God, or to the Divine Nature or the universe. || Bad because it isn’t yet God’s land. Therefore, Satan might be there. Things there might be influenced by evil. Native Americans aren’t yet brought into God’s world. || Transc. – Able to make own decisions based on personal truths. || Subject to Puritan community standards and God’s will as interpreted by community leaders. || Old may be stuck in their ways. || Old are revered without reference to merit. ||
 * Rose by the prison door – a moral lesson
 * Scarlet Letter A
 * Pearl – another version of the scarlet letter
 * Color red – A, Pearl’s clothes
 * Color black – devil, Puritan clothing
 * || Hawthorne’s personal view – Romantic and Transcendentalist || Puritan view ||
 * Light || Good – truth of real understanding || Good – light of God’s truth ||
 * Dark || Bad – Can’t or won’t face reality, or emotional reality || Bad – lack of God, or possible turf of Satan ||
 * Forest || Good 2 ways:
 * Town || Bad – full of people. Not nature, therefore not trustworthy. || Good – Place where people are actively supporting God’s will. ||
 * Society (people in a group) || Group that makes laws necessary for survival. || Potential perfect community to show how people could live according to God’s laws. No concept of separation of church and state. ||
 * Individual || U.S. citizen – subject to laws of the state
 * Men vs. women || For his time, believed in equality of the sexes. || Strict roles defined by the community. ||
 * Young vs. old || Young is flexible, symbol of change.

Hester stresses her heart = romanticism Hester makes her own system of morals = transcendentalism