The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, reflects the ideals of American Romanticism by the use of the concept of Dark Romanticism
Why is scarlet letter A romance?
Romance. In combining realistic and imaginative elements to tell a moving and dreamlike story , The Scarlet Letter is an example of the romance genre. ... The Scarlet Letter also qualifies as a romance in that it incorporates fantastic elements while remaining emotionally and psychologically realistic.
What is one characteristic of Romanticism that applies to The Scarlet Letter?
Dark versus light , a key characteristic of Romanticism, is a motif in The Scarlet Letter. Dark colors and shadows are characteristic of sin and the Black Man, while light colors and sunshine are characteristics of salvation and purity.
Was The Scarlet Letter written in the Romantic era?
Nathaniel Hawthorne is widely acknowledged to be a leader in the American Romantic movement of the mid-19th century. ... In his 1850 masterpiece, ‘The Scarlet Letter’, Hawthorne’s Romantic ideals shine through.
Why is The Scarlet Letter considered a Dark Romanticism novel?
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne exemplifies Dark Romanticism in its themes of imposed judgement and punishment for those who commit sin, resulting in alienation and self-destruction . ... Another exemplary work of Dark Romanticism is his story, Young Goodman Brown .
What is the moral of The Scarlet Letter?
The moral of The Scarlet Letter is that secret sin leads to guilt and pain .
What is the main message of The Scarlet Letter?
Major theme. The major theme of The Scarlet Letter is shaming and social stigmatizing , both Hester’s public humiliation and Dimmesdale’s private shame and fear of exposure.
How is imagination used in The Scarlet Letter?
“Imagination is the key ingredient to overcoming fear and doubt .” Throughout “The Scarlet Letter”, Nathaniel Hawthorne tends to emphasize the intensity of Pearl’s imagination by describing the way Pearl saw the world around her and by talking about the way the people who noticed her vivid imagination, referred to her ...
Is Hester Prynne an admirable character?
Even though her fellow townspeople look down on her, Hester Prynne is a likable character . ... When her behavior is found out and results in a child, Hester accepts both her punishment and the child that God gave her. She refuses to give up her daughter, Pearl.
What is meant by the term romanticism?
a(1) : a literary, artistic, and philosophical movement originating in the 18th century , characterized chiefly by a reaction against neoclassicism and an emphasis on the imagination and emotions, and marked especially in English literature by sensibility and the use of autobiographical material, an exaltation of the ...
How accurate is The Scarlet Letter?
The Scarlet Letter therefore is not a historical reconstruction of the Puritan period because it is written as an allegory. The novel certainly takes advantage of historical account of the New England Puritans, but it is not bound to be historically accurate .
How is Hester a transcendentalist?
How is Hester Prynne A Transcendentalist? In the novel The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester Prynne is mainly a transcendentalist . The term transcendentalist coined in nineteenth century America, describes an optimistic person who fully lives in the present and has faith in the future.
Is Arthur Dimmesdale an admirable character?
As a minister , Dimmesdale must be above reproach, and there is no question that he excels at his profession and enjoys a reputation among his congregation and other ministers. His soul aside, he does do good works. His ministry aids people in leading good lives.
What is Dark Romanticism in simple terms?
Dark Romanticism is a literary subgenre of Romanticism , reflecting popular fascination with the irrational, the demonic and the grotesque. Often conflated with Gothic fiction, it has shadowed the euphoric Romantic movement ever since its 18th-century beginnings.
What do Dark Romanticism and Transcendentalism have in common?
Dark Romanticism is a subcategory of Romanticism . ... There are many similarities between Romanticism and Transcendentalism. One of the similarities between the groups is the incorporation of nature. Writings by authors of both types seem to tie nature into many of their works.
How is the birthmark Dark Romanticism?
The birthmark and the painting may represent the flaws of human nature — sinfulness, evil, and corruption (“Dark Romanticism”). In this case, as the birthmark fades and as the painting is perfected, the women are cleansed of their innate flaws that make them human and therefore cannot live.
