Traditionalist view of The Scarlett Letter
...dale. The final and most obvious reason that the romantic view is flawed is that to hold the romantic view one must discount the final chapter. If you discount the final chapter then it isn't the same story. The transcendentalist point of view is by far the most pathetic defense for Hester's actions. The transcendentalists believe that Hester was not really married in the sight of God and that she had never truly been married. Whether you like it or not, when you take your wedding vows you are officially married in the sight of God. Hester never should have married Chillingworth in the first place if she didn't love him. He might have tried to force her into marriage but every person is responsible for his or her own actions and can decide for themselves whether or not they want to get married. Another point of the transcendentalist view that seems absurd is that they believe she sinned against her own conscience. All along she knew what she did was wrong or she would not have come back to the town where she lived and continued to wear the scarlet letter on her chest. The Puritan community was un-Christian in its attitude and behavior but it was not un-Christian in its doctrine. The women of the town are all gossips that have no feeling for Hester. "This woman has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die." As Hester is about to be punished for her sin the lady commits a sin by judging her for her actions. The women sit and mock Hester even when she is in remorse for her sin. Another example of the townspeople being cruel and un-Christian towards Hester is when they throw stones at Hester and Pearl as they walk to and from their home. The punishment placed upon Hester for her sin is not too harsh or too light, she always has it upon her to remind her of the sin she commit but when she goes into the forest with Pearl she can be free from the hateful members of her village. Although she sinned less than her hypocritical lover and her vengeful husband, the "law" broken by Hester and Arthur Dimmesd...