This research paper deals on the historical and cultural background of the 17th Century and will be focused on the literary work “The Scarlet Letter”.
Today, topics like gender equality and feminism are so important and up-to-date that one cannot be uninformed. Everyone has an opinion and no one is afraid to speak openly about it anymore. They are free to say, write and think what they believe is right. They are able to vote and go to work. They can use any social media platform and tweet or post their views and experiences and get some attention.
This was not the case a few centuries back. Women were oppressed and not able to speak their minds. Women had to fight for their rights to be acknowledged, which has enabled us to be in the position that we are in now.
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a literary work that has academic value and is often classified as required reading in classes. It was published 1850 and tells the story of a woman in Puritan times who has to face the consequences of committing adultery. The novel represents the Puritan society and the way women were treated in that time. It gives attention on the ideology and gives many details in which today’s readers can imagine the struggle of obedience to the system.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The 17th Century
2.1 Historical Background
2.2 Cultural Background
3. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
3.1 Punishment
3.2 Themes
3.3 The Female Gender
4. Today's Women
5. Conclusion
6. Works Cited
Research Objective and Core Themes
This paper examines the historical and cultural landscape of the 17th century and its representation in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel "The Scarlet Letter," focusing on the societal treatment of women and the evolution of gender roles.
- Historical and ideological foundations of Puritan society.
- The portrayal of gender relations and women's roles in 17th-century literature.
- The struggle for female identity and agency within repressive systems.
- Comparison between historical Puritan standards and contemporary feminist perspectives.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Punishment
The novel opens with Hester Prynne being taken out of prison. The community has gathered at the marketplace to watch the scene. Hester is wearing the letter ‘A’ on her, being directly branded because of the sin she committed. Women are gossiping and judging her. They believe that her imprisonment was not punishment enough. One woman says that she should “at the very least [been] put the brand of a hot iron on [her] forehead” (Hawthorne 1850: 78). Another even says that “[she] has brought shame upon [them], and ought to die [...]” (79). This shows how inhuman and unforgiving the Puritan Community can be. Not only do they wish physical pain to someone whose only crime was the commitment of a sin, but they also wish her death.
Hester’s punishment does not end after being taken out of prison. It continues with psychological abuse. She is being mocked on street, frowned at, judged in church (128). Church, a place that should be for everyone wanting to connect to God and find peace, repent and be humble, turns out to be a place where she is, again, being confronted with her sin. All these things lead to isolation and exclusion from the community.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter highlights the significance of gender equality today and introduces the novel "The Scarlet Letter" as a critical reflection of Puritan society.
2. The 17th Century: This section provides the historical context of the Colonial Period and defines the Puritan ideology, including its views on predestination and gender roles.
3. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne: This main body chapter analyzes the novel's themes of guilt, justice, and the specific struggles of its protagonist, Hester Prynne.
4. Today's Women: This chapter contrasts the historical repression of women with contemporary movements like #MeToo and the ongoing fight for gender equality.
5. Conclusion: This chapter summarizes the evolution of society and emphasizes that while much has changed since the 17th century, the themes of the novel remain relevant for modern reflection.
6. Works Cited: List of academic and historical sources supporting the research paper.
Keywords
Puritanism, The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester Prynne, Gender Equality, Feminism, 17th Century, Ideology, Colonial Period, Patriarchy, Adultery, Punishment, Social Exclusion, Women's Rights, Literature
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the historical and cultural context of the 17th century through the lens of Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter," focusing specifically on gender relations and how society treated women during that era.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include Puritan ideology, the concept of sin and guilt, gender subordination, the intersection of religious and political law, and the critique of social punishment.
What is the central research question?
The work seeks to understand how the Puritan ideology structured gender roles and how these social systems are criticized within Hawthorne's narrative.
Which methodology is applied in the paper?
The author uses a literary analysis approach, contextualizing the fictional story within the historical and sociological framework of the 17th-century American colonial period.
What topics are covered in the main body chapters?
The main body investigates the historical background (Colonial Period), cultural ideologies (Puritanism), and literary thematic analysis (punishment, themes, gender) regarding the life of the protagonist.
Which keywords best characterize this study?
Key terms include Puritanism, gender equality, patriarchy, historical context, social control, and literary critique.
How is Hester Prynne portrayed in relation to the Puritan community?
Hester is portrayed as a strong, resilient character who challenges the rigidity of the community's judgment and the prevailing ideology of her time.
Does the paper link the novel to contemporary issues?
Yes, the paper draws a parallel between the historical suppression of women and modern movements such as #MeToo and the fight for human rights, suggesting that while law has changed, underlying societal power dynamics persist.
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- Berna Dayioglu (Autor:in), 2019, Puritan Society and the Role of the Female Gender in the 17th Century. By the example of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlett Letter”, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1252969
