Scarlet Letter- Plainsong comparison
...hy Mrs. Shattuck disapproves of Victoria’s actions out of matrimony. Sex before marriage is disapproved in Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, which are all organized religions. Hawthorne, on the other hand criticizes organized religion, and believes in Romanticism. Hawthorne believes in nature rather than religion. Reverend Dimmesdale shares Hester’s sin. Through Dimmesdale’s actions Hawthorne asserts that the penance required by organized religion does cleanse one of his sin. “In Mr. Dimmesdale’s secret closet, under lock and key, there was a bloody scourge… It was his custom, too, as it has been that of many other pious Puritans”(126) Dimmesdale attempts to purify himself of his fault by beating himself, as an act of religious penance. Hawthorne doubts structured faith, in that he believes only nature can cleanse oneself. Dimmesdale continues to torment himself until he is confronted by nature. He becomes one with himself and thus fully rids himself of his sin. He loses his embarrassment and embraces his sin. “All at once, as with a sudden smile of heaven, forth burst the sunshine…Such was a sympathy of Nature-that wild, heathen Nature of the forest.”(177) Once Arthur Dimmesdale is confronted by nature, he becomes more spiritual. Hawthorne deliberately capitalizes the “N” in Nature and not the “h” in heaven to describe how the force of nature is stronger than religion. Heaven presents one with the notion of religion and faith. Hawthorne suggests that “Nature” has purified Dimmesdale and not religion. Victoria is cared for and welcomed by society. Unlike Hester in the age of the Puritans, Victoria is cared for and welcomed. “Let me look at you. You’re getting there aren’t you. Turn around let me see you from the side.”(159) Mrs. Jones bestows a maternal sensation. When a mother looks at her child, she takes in every aspect of the child’s appearance. When Mrs. Jones says to turn around she makes the reader feel like she is Victoria’s mother. In view if the fact that Victoria has no maternal figure, Mrs. Jones shapes into a motherly form. Victoria’s generation apposed to that of Hester’s gives her a chance to ease her pain. As time passes the importance of punishment for adultery and sex out of wedlock is reduced, which in turn presents Victoria with more room for sympathy rather than penalty. Hester is shunned from society and driven to the outskirts of town. The Puritans humiliate Hester with the badge of shame, the scarlet letter. The scarlet letter is the letter “A” which is embossed upon Hester’s chest. During the time she is still associated with the Puritan society, the letter connotes a sense of indignity, shame, and transgression. Hester finds refuge within nature. Hester is able to free herself of the ignominy associated with the scarlet...