Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter - 872 Words

Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter, is a wonderful piece of writing that thoroughly analyzes the critiques and flaws of early Puritan society. Many enjoyable factors are present, including the heavy and enlightening use of symbols to develop Hawthorne’s revolutionary viewpoint as well as the strong portrayal of the characters that challenges ideas of the time. However, the book also has some flaws; most notable including the fact that the writing is an archaic writing style and thus is difficult to parse through as compared to more recent texts. It also lacks many strong motifs – only two or three are continuously present throughout the book, but the total number of motifs briefly developed is in the tens. Altogether the novel is an incredibly enjoyable read and continuously points out problems in Hawthorne’s society that may even still be present today. The novel could use more consistent motif coverage and rely less heavily on older writing styles, bu t altogether the book is quite splendid. Many published critics also share these sentiments. One of the first criticisms published on the book after it was released was by Henry James, a renowned American author who explored themes of change and ideological shifts. In his criticism, he notes that Hawthorne â€Å"†¦ liked to fraternize with plain people, to take them on their own terms, and put himself, if possible, into their shoes†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (James). This criticism is valid and seen throughout the novel, in which Hawthorne doesn’tShow MoreRelatedNathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter1187 Words   |  5 PagesPuritanism in Red Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter shows the early view of Puritanism by concentrating on sin, guilt, and its effects on society. Nathaniel Hawthorne conveyed a dark and romantic style of writing in â€Å"The Scarlet Letter†, impacting the society by focusing on the concepts of romanticism. The Scarlet Letter is considered a classic book and is still read today. Nathaniel Hathorne was born in Salem, Massachusetts on July 4, 1804. He was the son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth ClarkRead MoreNathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter1631 Words   |  7 Pagesdeveloped the theme for his most renowned literary novel, The Scarlet Letter. In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne emphasized the impact that societal isolation can have on individuals. Several of the victims inflicted with isolation throughout the novel were ultimately met with their inevitable downfalls. One particular character, Hester Prynne, was selected to undergo a struggle comparable to Hawthorne’s own. Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter centered its characters on a theme of both physical andRead MoreNathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter1896 Words   |  8 PagesIn a surface examination of the work of Nathaniel Hawthorne, it is quickly evident that no good things come from the wilderness. Therein, the wilderness is often associated with the savages and the devil. In his work The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne finds herself exiled by society for having an adulterous affair with the town reverend which brought forth the child known as Pearl. Pearl is quickly established as the child of the wilderness: wild, capricious, and thought by the town to be a demon-childRead MoreNathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter1944 Words   |  8 PagesNathaniel Hawthorne adds a satirical twist throughout his novel The Scarlet Letter which manifests his perception of the Puritanism. The novel portrays the strictness and impact of Puritanism on human lives. Hawthorne’s usage of Puritan characters and outcasts also demonstrate Hawthorne’s position on Puritanism. Throughout Hawthorne’s novel, all of the characters in this novel represent strong Puritan belief, Puritan lifestyle, strong resistance to Puritanism, and satirical Puritan lifestyles. HawthorneRead MoreWilliam Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter1871 Words   |  8 Pagestechniques for roman tic themes are light and setting. Hawthorne describes that details â€Å"are so spiritualized by the unusual light, that they seem to lose their actual substance, and become things of intellect† (Hawthorne, 35). This then leads him to describe that, â€Å"when one removes further from the actual, and nearer to the imaginative† (Hawthorne, 36), the romance writer can actually, â€Å"dream strange things and make them look like truth†(Hawthorne, 36). The purpose of this chapter is to serve basicallyRead MoreNathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter1193 Words   |  5 PagesThe Scarlet Letter, is most often referred to as Nathaniel Hawthorne’s best work. It gives a detailed image of life in a Puritan society. The heroine of the book-Hester Prynne, defies power, and rebels against colonial rule. Laws composed of religious convictions and individual beliefs. Through Hester’s action, you can depict a feminist consciousness. She differs from traditional colonial woman who s sole purpose it to be obedient, despite the unfair rules carried out by puritan men. Hester representsRead MoreNathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter869 Words   |  4 Pagesof human life. The most famous Dark Romantic writer, Nathaniel Hawthorne, emphasizes human proneness to sin and self-destruction, uses symbols that are considered dark, and believes that evil can overtake good. In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne employs elements of Romanticism and symbolism to communicate the idea that sin and guilt have psychological effects which can turn into physical and mental manifestations. Hawthorne utilizes the romantic element of the focus on the individual toRead MoreNathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter1850 Words   |  8 PagesShe s an archetype. She is Eve. She s Juno. She the good woman gone bad. She is Hester Prynne. As part of NPR s series, In Character, my colleague, Andrea Seabrook, shows how this Puritan woman is still very much alive today. ANDREA SEABROOK: Hester Prynne is the protagonist of Nathaniel Hawthorne s magnum opus The Scarlet Letter. Any serious literary scholar will tell you that she is one of the first strong women in American literature and is still among the most important. She s veiled(ph)Read MoreNathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter2120 Words   |  9 Pagesher cover the mark as she will, the pang of it will be always in her heart.† (Hawthorne 92) In this quote, all of the townspeople are saying that even if Hester were to cover up the the scarlet letter A on her shirt, she will always have the guilt in her mind. She will also have Pearl as a constant reminder of her sin. This quote impacts the story because it really shows how the townspeople feel about Hester and hawthorne gives a good life lesson saying that even if you cover up your mistakes, youRead MoreNathaniel Hawthorne s The Scarlet Letter2106 Words   |  9 Pagesother religions. Because they â€Å"deeply and fervently believed t hat they were doing the work of God†, Puritans often punished and shunned those who did not follow their rules or share their same views (Collier 62). In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne presents these popular ideas and truths about the Puritan way of living in a symbolic story of submissive defiance. He creates a strong feminist that contradicts the majority of the Puritan views on feminism. This rebellious main character

Intercultural Communication Stumbling Blocks By Samovar,...

Intercultural Communication Introduction According to the articles Intercultural communication stumbling blocks by Barna and Intercultural communication by Samovar, Porter, McDaniel Roy, describe the various challenges that are faced between communications of two individuals who come from different cultures. Notably, challenges that are faced by different people who come from different cultures exist due to the problem of the difference between the cultural norms. For instance, what is acceptable in the United States as a form of communication is entirely different from what is acceptable in Japan as a form of communication. Additionally, challenges that exist in intercultural communication may be due to the prejudices that individuals†¦show more content†¦The Vietnamese student thought that Americans are superficial for the way talk as well as smiling too much. On the other hand, An American Girl viewed that the international students most of them were quite unfriendly. According to this article, there are stumbl ing blocks that exist in intercultural communication. First is the language whereby there may exist different interpretation concerning a particular vocabulary or sentence (Barna, 1994). For instance, according to this article, when a Japanese hear that ‘won’t you have some tea? He may respond ‘no meaning that he is interested in taking tea which may mean to an American person that he is not interested in taking the tea. Thus, this may act as a stumbling block. The second stumbling block is nonverbal signs and symbols. In case there exist different meaning of the non-verbal signs and symbols, communication is hindered. Summary of Prejudice in Intercultural Communication This article describes the way individuals react negatively to other people without any factual material or direct contact. In other words, it describes the way some people have a negative attitude towards other people from a particular culture due to the prejudice. According to this article, individuals usually practice prejudice towards other people due to four reasons. First is due to their utilitarian or adjustment function. In this case, they intend to hold the

The Comedic Wave Free Essays

During the time of Shakespeare, it was understood that a play described as a comedy would be one that â€Å"implies a positive understanding of human experience [. . . We will write a custom essay sample on The Comedic Wave or any similar topic only for you Order Now .] a marriage or at least some kind of union or reunion that resolves the conflict and brings the characters into a state of harmony† (McDonald, 2001, 81). This describes the storyline of Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet: it is a comedy that by modern standards would be sub-categorized as dark because much of the storyline isn’t humorous; however, the culminating events include a reunion and (a precarious) harmony among the feuding Montagues and Capulets.   The plot of Romeo and Juliet is not unique: the concept of—boy meets girl—boy courts girl—boy loses girl—is the center of many other stories, but the impact left by the wave of comedy which is created by such plot lines makes the theme one that is timeless. It seems inevitable that Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet will overcome the feuding of their families, marry, and live happily ever-after; however, this is not to be, for the lovers are â€Å"star-crossed† (Romeo and Juliet, Prologue).   The play builds to its dà ©nouement—the dual suicides of Romeo and Juliet—by taking the audience though the lives of the two youngsters as they attempt to overcome their familial origins.   By the time the audience realizes that the two lovers will unite only in death, the impact is profound. (Juliet) What’s here? A cup, clos’d in my true love’s hand? Poison, I see, hath been his timeless end. [. . . .] O happy dagger! [Snatches Romeo’s dagger.] This is thy sheath; there rest, and let me die. She stabs herself and falls [on Romeo’s body].   (V. iii. 205-206; 212-215) It is a wave that has been built slowly throughout the play—one that remains with an audience member perhaps indefinitely. The war between the Montagues and the Capulets has raged for years, and part of the tragedy which becomes darkly comedic in this piece is that the barrier that stands between Romeo and Juliet is nothing but a word: specifically a surname.   During her famous balcony speech, Juliet, thinking aloud to herself says, O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name.   (II.i.74–76) Juliet is asking the universe not where her love is, but why Romeo is a Montague.   Ludwig Wittgenstein’s Philosophical Investigations would describe the situation thusly: â€Å"one might say: the ostensive definition explains the use—the meaning—of the word when the overall role of the word in language is clear† (Wittgenstein, L, #30).   In other words, the reason Romeo and Juliet cannot wed has been determined by the definition—the â€Å"role†Ã¢â‚¬â€their respective surnames play. A truly effective comedy builds slowly, creates tension-filled expectation, and comes to a resolution that leaves a reader or an audience member with a long-lasting memory of the event.   Shakespeare creates this in Romeo and Juliet by establishing the â€Å"meaning† of the surnames of his characters, and placing each into his/her respective â€Å"role.† References McDonald, R.   (2001).   The Bedford companion to Shakespeare: An introduction with documents.   (2nd ed.).   Boston: Bedford. Shakespeare, W.   (1992).   Romeo and Juliet.   (B. A. Mowat ; P. Werstine, Ed.)   The new Folger library.   New York: Washington Square. Wittgenstein, L.   Philosophical investigations.   The Galilean library.   Retrieved November 29, 2006 from http://www.galilean-library.org/pi3.html. How to cite The Comedic Wave, Essay examples