Hawthorne views
human nature as capable of going both ways
. He sees human nature as flawed and as equally capable of sin and hate, but also of great love. But more importantly Hawthorne believes in repentance and subsequent redemption after sin. Hawthorne’s view of human nature is reflected in his characters.
What did Hawthorne think of people?
People during Hawthorne’s lifetime were still
somewhat Puritanical
, despite the fact that Puritanism itself was no longer popular. Most people felt that guilt and sin were things to hide and that crime and adultery were morally reprehensible actions.
What is Hawthorne’s view of man?
Hawthorne appears to suggest in this work that the answer lies in
developing an association with both nature and society
. Because man is dependent on both, he must establish a relationship with society and nature which would allow him to enjoy the benefits to be gained from each while avoiding their inherent dangers.
What is the message in The Scarlet Letter?
In The Scarlet Letter,
the idea of sin and punishment
is the main theme of the novel and how Hester Prynne, the main character, has been punished for her sin of adultery.
How is nature used in The Scarlet Letter?
It provides comfort, life, and healing to humans. We come from nature, and
it is to nature that our bodies will return
. In the novel, Hester Prynne reconnects with the spirit of nature, enabling her to rekindle her relationship with Dimmesdale.
What does Hawthorne say about society?
It is safe to conclude that Hawthorne’s ultimate message about society in The Scarlet Letter is
that evil lives in the house of sinners as much as in the house of those who consider themselves to be free of sin.
Did Hawthorne believe in God?
He was torn, fighting to reconcile his darker ancestors and the actions they took in Puritanism’s name with his strong belief in God and his ancestors’ unchangeable role in his family history. Hawthorne
believed in the concept of the human soul and revered their existence
.
How did Hawthorne feel about Puritanism?
This means that Hawthorne, as a transcendentalist, disapproves the Puritan belief in predestination and human depravity. Therefore, Hawthorne holds the view that Puritanism was
characterized by cruelty and intolerance
.
What did Hawthorne believe in?
Power of Darkness
. Hawthorne’s belief in Providence could be discouraging, but it was also a source of strength. Along with Melville, he was one of the great “no-sayers” of 19th-century America. He accepted, imaginatively if not literally, the doctrine of the Fall of Man, and thus the radical imperfection of man.
What does The Scarlet Letter teach us?
By teaching The Scarlet Letter, I realized the underlying themes, not the supernatural elements that had enthralled me, are what make the story so powerful.
Sin, forgiveness, and redemption
are timeless ideas. Just like Hester Prynne, young people struggle with the consequences of bad choices.
What is the most important theme in The Scarlet Letter?
Guilt
is a major theme in The Scarlet Letter , and appears primarily in the psychology of Arthur Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale is tormented both by guilt at his sinful act of fathering an illegitimate child, and then by the guilt of failing to take responsibility for his actions and having to hide his secret.
Who committed the worst sin in The Scarlet Letter?
Roger Chillingworth
is by far the worst sinner in The Scarlet Letter.
What is Pearl’s relationship with nature?
Little Pearl manifests the relationship
between man and nature
; her life and the life of nature are contiguous. When she is in nature, “the mother-forest, and these wild things which it nourished, all recognized a kindred wildness in the human child” (TSL 295).
Why is Pearl so connected to nature?
Pearl is very different than all the other characters due to her special relationship with Nature. Hawthorne personifies Nature as sympathetic towards sins against the puritan way of life.
Hester’s sin causes Nature to accept Pearl
.
How does Pearl represent innocence?
Pearl, the leading child in the novel, is an excellent example of
childish innocence
combined with almost preternatural perception. Her willpower and imagination make her a blessing and a curse to her mother, who has paid such a dear price for her child.
What exactly is Hawthorne criticizing?
Hawthorne criticizes
the corruption of Puritan humanity by attacking the Puritans’ unjust attitude towards Pearl
. … Again, Hawthorne criticizes the Puritans’ humanity through nature and the purity of Pearl.In “The Scarlet Letter”, Hawthorne effectively criticizes Puritan society through the use of nature.
