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Feminism In The Scarlet Letter

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Feminism: "The doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men."(Dictionary) The female characters in the Scarlet Letter demonstrate independent rights of women in the seventeenth century. In the Puritan Boston novel, two main characters embodied feminism. Hester Prynne symbolizes another aspect of women during her time by succeeding as a mother and gaining a good reputation after being scorned by society. Her little infant, Pearl, was a sign of hope and independence, responding to people seeing her as a symbol of sin. In the Scarlet Letter, Hester and Pearl define the term feminism by demonstrating their determination and independence from a society that does not see their strength as women.
Hester …show more content…

Being a woman in the seventeenth century, it would have been thought that the main character would be only criticized throughout the novel. As the plot unfolds, she is no longer seen as a doomed failure due to her unmentionable sin, but as a beautiful human that deserved her punishment to be taken away. Her punishment came to be her, required to wear a scarlet letter "A" on her chest. Society valued her so much as a renown figure in their town. She had a highly respectable position as a seamstress.(Seabrook) Her handmade work includes government clothing, children robes, and military outfits. Such good deeds toward the community had awarded her with a good reputation. Aside from her own sewing job, she managed to help the poor. This was constantly occurring while she was maintaining Pearl too. Hester had become a "Sister of Mercy". She gained Boston 's respect for being sympathetic. (Shmoop Editorial Team) "Hester never put forward even the humblest title to share in the world’s privileges—further than to breathe the common air, and earn daily bread for little Pearl and herself by the faithful labor of her hands—she was quick to acknowledge her sisterhood with the race of man, whenever benefits were to be conferred."(Hawthorne 182) Hester was seen worthy of her doings, therefore the townspeople admired her ability to have "so much power to do, and power to sympathise”.(Hawthorne

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