The Scarlet Letter
takes place in the mid-seventeenth century Boston, which had a small population by English standards, and a large one by colonial measures. The town, based on historical records, had a very devout puritan population. These people formed their lives about the church, which also was the government. The church controlled schools as well as matters of the law. This gave the Puritan moral system great strength in the society, and the city's rules were based upon it. Therefore, anything that the bible indicated as frivolous or petty was illegal. The city in Hawthorne's novel also has a very unforgiving populous. They despise those who are set apart and have little compassion or ...
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her chest to signify her sin. She has a young child named Pearl who is her sole motivation in life. Hester is a strong, caring woman who made a poor decision early in life, and now pays dearly for it. Pearl- An odd child, she is often compared to an elf. Her nature is that of any rambunctious toddler, but she has a fascination with her mother's scarlet “A.” Her name, Pearl, was given to her to describe the way her mother feels about her, her precious pearl. Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale- The illegitimate father of Pearl. A reverend to the town, he is widely respected. He cares for Pearl, but not in a paternal manner. He also cares for Hester, but again, only as a woman, not as a lover. As the significance of his sin begins to sink in after several years, his health begins to decline. He was said to have an “A” on his chest, hidden by his religious garb. Roger Chillingworth- The legitimate husband of Hester. After two years without sending word to the colonies, he was presumed lost ...
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She is a master seamstress, and her clothes sell well, supporting herself and her child. The story moves it's focus from the town's stand on her adultery to Hester's raising of Pearl. Pearl always wears her mother's best work, making her always beautifully dressed. Pearl, since her birth, had become her mother's sole purpose in life. Pearl always is active, and her rambunctious manner makes the townspeople believe that Hester is not raising her properly. The issue is brought to the town leaders, and they call Hester and Pearl in to conference with them. They question Pearl to see if she has been brought up in a proper Christian manner, and Pearl will not cooperate with them. Reverend ...
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CITE THIS PAGE:
The Scarlet Letter. (2008, June 13). Retrieved November 19, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Scarlet-Letter/85206
"The Scarlet Letter." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 13 Jun. 2008. Web. 19 Nov. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Scarlet-Letter/85206>
"The Scarlet Letter." Essayworld.com. June 13, 2008. Accessed November 19, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Scarlet-Letter/85206.
"The Scarlet Letter." Essayworld.com. June 13, 2008. Accessed November 19, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Scarlet-Letter/85206.
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