Breaking with the tradition of examining "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne for traces of (proto-)feminism, the paper approaches the idea of gender in analyzing the interplay of the time periods underlying the literary work - the 19th century as the time of writing and Puritan times as the setting of the plot. In the 200 years between the two moments, ideas of gender have changed with commencing ideas of female empowerment in Hawthorne's time. Looking at the shifting understanding of gender, the construction of femininity and masculinity is analyzed with a focus on the two protagonists - Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale. Overall, the gender relations between the two main characters change into opposite directions. Thus, Hawthorne's writing destabilizes conventional Puritan ideas of pre-ascribed spheres and gender roles.
It has become an academic tradition over the past decades to scrutinize historical literary pieces for traces of feminism. Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" has been a prime object of interest for several scholars in this pursuit. The story of Hester Prynne who is outlawed by Puritan society after having committed adultery represents an early work to have a protagonist who breaks with the law of her time. This might be the reason why in an earlier tradition the novel has been read with Arthur Dimmesdale, the young reverend and Hester's lover, as the central figure. Approaches involving feminism and gender studies challenged this reading. Their focus however primarilyseems to be the tracing of feminist attitudes in Hawthorne's writing. In this approach the historical perspective of the literary work is often read from a contemporary angle creating a hybrid reading that involves three time frames, namely the Puritan time of theplot, the 19th century setting of the novel's writing and the contemporary moment of thenovel's reading.
Table of Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Survey of Gender Roles in Historical Contexts
- 2.1 Gender in Puritan Contexts
- 2.2 Shifting Gender Understandings in Hawthorne's Time
- 3 Gender Roles in The Scarlet Letter
- 3.1 Female Gender and Hester Prynne
- 3.2 Male Gender and Arthur Dimmesdale
- 4 Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze the portrayal of gender in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, focusing on the interplay between Puritan gender roles and the shifting gender understandings of the 19th century. It examines how the ambiguous representation of Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale reflects and critiques societal norms of both eras.
- The evolution of gender roles from Puritan society to the 19th century.
- The contrasting representations of masculinity and femininity in The Scarlet Letter.
- Hawthorne's critique of Puritan gender norms through the characters of Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale.
- The influence of changing economic structures on gender roles in 19th-century America.
- The ambiguous portrayal of gender in The Scarlet Letter as a reflection of societal change.
Chapter Summaries
1 Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the paper's central argument: that Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter presents an ambiguous portrayal of gender, simultaneously critiquing Puritan norms and reflecting the evolving gender roles of the 19th century. It highlights the shift from interpretations focusing solely on feminist themes to a more nuanced understanding that considers the historical context of both the novel's setting and its creation. The author's approach emphasizes the two historical eras and their impact on the novel's depiction of gender relations.
2 Survey of Gender Roles in Historical Contexts: This chapter provides the historical background necessary to understand the novel's portrayal of gender. It examines gender roles in Puritan society, emphasizing the strict separation of spheres, the legal subjugation of women, and the harsh punishments for adultery. The chapter then contrasts this with the changing gender understandings of the mid-19th century, highlighting the impact of industrialization, the rise of the women's movement, and the growing critique of traditional gender roles. The juxtaposition of these two periods forms the framework for analyzing the novel's complexities.
2.1 Gender in Puritan Contexts: This section delves into the rigid gender roles of Puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony. Women were confined to the domestic sphere, lacking legal rights and controlled by their husbands. The chapter emphasizes the severe consequences of female infidelity, highlighting the economic and social pressures involved. The discussion of the letter 'A' and its placement on Hester's garment serves as a focal point for understanding Hawthorne's artistic choices and their connection to the emotional and societal implications of adultery.
2.2 Shifting Gender Understandings in Hawthorne's Time: This section explores the evolving views on gender in 19th-century America. While the concept of separate spheres persisted, the rise of industrialization and capitalism altered family structures and created new challenges. The emergence of the women's movement and its demands for equal rights and opportunities are discussed, showcasing the broader societal shifts that influenced Hawthorne's work. The work of Margaret Fuller is presented as a key example of the changing intellectual climate.
Keywords
The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Gender Roles, Puritanism, 19th Century America, Feminism, Masculinity, Femininity, Adultery, Historical Context, Gender Ambiguity, Separate Spheres, Women's Movement, Margaret Fuller.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of *The Scarlet Letter*
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive language preview of an academic paper analyzing gender roles in Nathaniel Hawthorne's *The Scarlet Letter*. It includes a table of contents, objectives, key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What topics are covered in the paper?
The paper analyzes the portrayal of gender in *The Scarlet Letter*, focusing on the interplay between Puritan gender roles and the shifting gender understandings of the 19th century. It examines how the ambiguous representation of Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale reflects and critiques societal norms of both eras. Key themes include the evolution of gender roles, contrasting representations of masculinity and femininity, Hawthorne's critique of Puritan norms, the influence of economic structures on gender roles, and the ambiguous portrayal of gender as a reflection of societal change.
What are the main chapters and their focus?
The paper is structured as follows: Chapter 1 (Introduction) sets the stage, outlining the central argument. Chapter 2 (Survey of Gender Roles in Historical Contexts) provides historical background on Puritan gender roles and their evolution in the 19th century. This chapter is further divided into sections on Puritan gender roles (2.1) and shifting 19th-century understandings (2.2). Chapter 3 (Gender Roles in *The Scarlet Letter*) delves into the novel's portrayal of gender through the characters of Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale. Finally, Chapter 4 (Conclusion) summarizes the findings.
What historical context is considered?
The paper examines both the Puritan context of the novel's setting and the 19th-century context of its creation. It analyzes the strict gender roles and legal subjugation of women in Puritan society, contrasting this with the changing gender understandings of the mid-19th century, including the impact of industrialization, the rise of the women's movement, and growing critiques of traditional gender roles.
How are the characters of Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale analyzed?
The paper analyzes Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale as contrasting representations of femininity and masculinity within the historical context. Their ambiguous portrayal is interpreted as a reflection of Hawthorne's critique of societal norms and the complexities of gender roles during both the Puritan and 19th-century periods.
What are the key keywords associated with the paper?
Key words include: *The Scarlet Letter*, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Gender Roles, Puritanism, 19th Century America, Feminism, Masculinity, Femininity, Adultery, Historical Context, Gender Ambiguity, Separate Spheres, Women's Movement, Margaret Fuller.
What is the overall argument of the paper?
The central argument is that Hawthorne's *The Scarlet Letter* presents an ambiguous portrayal of gender, simultaneously critiquing Puritan norms and reflecting the evolving gender roles of the 19th century. The paper moves beyond solely feminist interpretations to offer a more nuanced understanding grounded in historical context.
- Quote paper
- Bettina Siebert (Author), 2017, Historically motivated gender ambiguity in Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/459922
