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In “The Prison Door” readers see how Nathaniel Hawthorne illustrates a picture of how the people in the town look, with there “A Throng of bearded men, in sad colored garments and gray, steeple crowned hats.” By this it tells us the type of time period they are living in which is a sense of poverty. It also paints us a picture of the setting of this town. Later it is said "like all that pertains to crime, it seemed never to have known a youthful era,” this description talks about the prison door which the people aren't use to seeing explaining that they seem to be isolated and not use to this new scenario, this also gives us more information on what type of people live there. In the next chapter “The Market Place,” we quickly see how a punishment can be dealt with really harsh ways, such as being wiped or getting killed for something so small like disobeying your parents. The people in the town yell out ways Hester should get punished and aggravate the situation and hyping it up. Before being put into prison there are “Beautiful blood red roses.” This can be a symbolism for the people going into jail, this flower could give hope to the prisoner before they are put into jail. In a way there thoughts and life go from good to bad, or light to dark.
ReplyDeleteFrom the first sentence in the chapter “The Prison Door”it was clear that Hawthorne would explore various dynamics in the society. The word “throng” denotes densely packed group of people all waiting for one even; it also connotes unity and no room for the individual. However, Hawthorne is quick to inform the reader why, in his opinion, the idea of the society is flawed. He notes that the founders of new colony who thought that it would be another Utopia- a place where everything is perfect, recognized a “practical necessit[y]”. This necessity is a prison. Ironically, a prison, which symbolizes a place for correction and isolation, is one of the first place to build when organizing a new society. Thus, Hawthorn illustrates that the idea of a perfect society is impossible because certain individuals will go against the “norms” and commit crime.
ReplyDeleteAuthor continues to criticize society when, in Chapter 2, he conveys people’s scary indifference to different kinds of prosecution. Hawthorne lists several convicted people “bond-servant...undutiful child...Antinomian, a Quaker ...or an idle and vagrant Indian” and claims that spectators will bear the same look of solemnity. This detail is aimed to dehumanize the people in this colony because the ability to sympathize and care for others are human-like features. Therefore, Hawthorne argues that unity and lack of individuality dehumanizes people that prevents them from feeling for others.
Overall, Hawthorne views on society are similar to the ones of Emerson.
In both “The Prison Door” and “The Marketplace”, Hawthorne creates an interesting dynamic between the pure and the impure. He initially describes the prison as “gloomy” and illustrates its rusted iron nails and antiquated oak door. A solemn shadow is cast over the prison except for a single rosebush, which Hawthorne explains is nature’s way of taking pity upon the prisoners: giving them a glimpse of natural beauty in the form of roses. The nature of the prison is dark and cold, and symbolizes the strict rules and restrictions of the Puritanical society. In contrast, the roses are pure and forgiving. This juxtaposition in the first chapter already builds a foundation for the rest of the novel to explore the relationship between judgment and forgiveness.
ReplyDeleteLater in “The Marketplace”, readers are introduced to Hester, a young woman who is given the punishment to stand on scaffolding before the public wearing a red “A” on her chest. In this chapter, Hawthorne’s own characterizations of Hester become complicated and almost contradictory. While leaving the prison, Hester is described as a “figure of perfect elegance” who is lady-like and holds herself in a dignified and impressive manner. Moreover, her beauty shines like a “halo”, despite the overwhelming dark and sinister atmosphere around her. Hawthorne illustrates Hester as an idolized figure that is almost angelic, and even compares her to the Virgin Mary. This resemblance distinctly separates Hester from the rest of society, especially those who call for her to endure a harsher punishment. Furthermore, this comparison forces readers to ask themselves: how can Hester be both an embodiment of purity and sin at the same time? Hawthorne specifically intertwines the realms of the pure and impure to highlight the complications of Puritanical justice and mercy.
Nathaniel Hawthorne exposes the reader to the difficulty of veering from the expectations of society. Specifically in a Puritanical society, nonconformity is an unlawful offense punishable by death. In other less extreme cases, public humiliation is used to punish a nonconformer. In an ideal world adapted by Puritans to compose this “utopia”, jail is an outlet to maintain order. In “The Prison Door”, the narrator discusses the presence of the “wild rosebush”. The “wild rosebush” is an offering for beauty and pity to the imprisoned. I think Hawthorne illuminates the significance of this rosebush as both a criticism of puritanical beliefs, as well as his acknowledgement of inevitability of human imperfection. Puritans reject this notion of imperfection and as a result they aim to enforce conformity. In their eyes, this conformity will ultimately create an idealistic society. But to Hawthorne in many ways this is immoral and the “rosebush” is a symbol for morality and offers compassion to “human frailty and sorrow”. In “The Market Place” Hester Prynne’s radiance and beauty juxtaposes her “crime”. Additionally, the repetition of the idea that she is “ladylike” seems to defy social expectations. How is it that a woman could be a “hussy” yet “ladylike” all at once? This seems to be an example of a question that Hawthorne poses for the readers to consider. Human beings are complex creatures that cannot simply be defined by their actions or behavior. Hester Prynne is defined by society by her “well developed bust”. The scarlet letter that is beautifully embroidered and laced upon her chest for the world to acknowledge, along with her baby to showcase her sins. The innocence and curiosity that consumes the youth is a truth of romanticism as well as a “taint of deepest sin in the most sacred quality of human life.”
ReplyDeleteIn “The Prison Door,” Nathaniel Hawthorne establishes a dreary setting in front of a prison within a Puritan society; “a throng of bearded men, in sad-colored garments and gray...the door of which was heavily timbered with oak and studded with iron spikes.” Ironically, this occurs during the springtime, which often symbolizes fresh beginnings and a new life. Even more so, a cemetery is in close proximity, which is the opposite of spring. Hawthorne's excellent usage of imagery effectively allows the reader to envision the surroundings; “...the wooden jail was already marked with weather-stains and other indications of age which have a yet darker aspect to its beetly-browed and gloomy front. The rust on the ponderous iron-work of its oaken door look more antique than anything else…” He also manages to paint a scene through mere common objects: “...overgrown with burdock, pigweed, apple peru, and such unsightly vegetation…” Furthermore, there is the symbolic rosebush, which supposedly serves as a blessing for the prisoners. Overall, Hawthorne demonstrates his skill in painting a picture through words in this passage.
ReplyDeleteNathaniel Hawthorne’s book, The Scarlet Letter contained the chapter “The Prison Door” to introduce his story. He described the door of the prison in this chapter as having “rust on the ponderous iron-work of its oaken door… that pertains to crime, it seemed never to have known a youthful era” (45). Claiming that the door resembles crime, not knowing youth, Hawthorne seems to suggest that the prison, especially its door, reflects the people who it seals, the prisoners. To build on, the rosebush mentioned towards the end grows under the “ugly edifice” (46) of the prison or “sprung up under… the sainted Ann Hutchinson” (46), the famous Puritan extremist. Since Hutchinson was recorded to be entering the prison, it seems that Hawthorne might refer to her as a criminal. Furthermore, the word ‘ponderous’ not only meant slow and heavy, as is the characteristic of a wooden door, but also means dull and laborious. To add on, ‘edifice’ also has a double meaning: a building, like the prison, or a complex belief like Puritanism. To synthesize, Hawthorne suggests that the Puritan’s religion is ugly, dull and requires too hard of work. Hutchinson and the prison represented the Puritans and the rosebush was added to highlight how terrible Puritanism is since the the rosebush can only grow under ugliness.
ReplyDeleteThe importance of the month being "June" (46), the beginning of summer meaning the season of happiness, signifies the start of Hawthornes joy. Ann Hutchinson, a person who represents Puritans, is sent to jail, a place that reflects and contains the Puritans. It is the start of the author's summer distances from a Puritan. The author feels happiness for himself when Hutchinson is sealed behind the 'ponderous' door because she (Puritanism) can no longer affect him but only as long as she stays sealed.
DeleteFrom the first few sentences of “The Scarlet Letter”, it’s obvious that Nathaniel Hawthorn views Puritanical society with disdain, and feels that it was archaic even for it’s own time period. At the very beginning, in “The Prison Door”, he remarks that the jailhouse that Hester Prynne emerges from appears “more antique than anything else in the New World”, thus implying that the thought process behind its creation, and the society that spawned it, were automatically obsolete and therefore did not belong. It’s a bit ironic that a society that originally set out to be more accepting than its predecessor actually became the more rigid and intolerant of the two, an impression that Hawthorn adds to by dryly remarking that in this Puritanical society, “religion and law were almost identical”. Although England was heavily Christian at the time, it could not quite have been characterized as religion-based, and the Puritans, in their pursuit of freedom, were actually more severe. In present times, at least, a theocracy is often considered synonymous with oppression, again implying that the Puritans were regressive and overly severe. Hawthorn even describes Hester’s longing for the “antique gentility” of her childhood in England, yet again suggesting to readers that even England decades ago was more accepting and refined, and that this society is damaged and obsolete. Obviously, Hawthorn does not think that America’s past has much to be proud of.
ReplyDeleteIn Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “On the power of the writer’s imagination” he plays with the idea of light and dark. In the chapter “Prison Door” Hawthorne uses descriptive imagery to illuminate his intention of the chapter. The first line of the chapter reads “A throng of bearded men, in sad colored garments and gray, steeple-crowned hats, intermixed with women, some wearing hoods, and others bareheaded, was assembled in front of a wooden edifice, the door of which was heavily timbered and studded with iron pikes” (45). This line is Hawthorne juxtaposing light and dark imagery as a way to show the contrasting moods and states of two differing objects. The bearded men wearing hats in an eerie setting suggest poverty and that there is an element of being concealed or hidden. The men and women in this setting are creating a distance between themselves and their surrounding while others are more exposed bringing them closer to their surrounding. The prison door with heavy timber and studded spikes suggest isolation, alienation, danger and could possibly imitate the dark psychological state of a person. The isolation caused by the heavy studded door connotes the darker side of a person and how one could feel trapped in their dark psychological state as someone could feel trapped inside a prison cell. In contrast, the rose mentioned towards the end of the chapter connotes life, light and survival. Within a dark mind or atmosphere, the light manages to survive and thrive. Hawthorne states “This rosebush, by a strange chance, has been kept alive in history; but whether it had merely survived out of the stern old wilderness, so long after the fall of the gigantic pines and oaks that originally overshadowed it” (46). The author suggests that although the darkness may overshadow the light, the deeper you look you will manage to find the light. The surrounding is gloomy and eerie while the many roses on the rosebush flourish. Hawthorne suggests that light and dark are obviously on different sides of the spectrum but juxtapose many strong images and understandings of a text.
ReplyDeleteSummer Rowland 12D
Hawthorne creates a significant contrast between the idea of “purity” and “impurity” within “The Prison Door”. A Puritan society promotes conformity and order, anyone who disobeys the ideas of Puritan society and proceeds to be a non conformer will ultimately be punished. A non conformer would be classified as someone who is impure, dirty and disgraceful. This situation is presented throughout the story, Hawthorne describes a large population of old and “grey” looking men and women entering the doors of what is to be described as a prison. Hawthorne describes the prison as “the black flower of civilised society”. The black flower symbolizes retributive punishment and death. In contrast to the black flower, Hawthorne goes on to describe how the other side contains a “wild rose bush”. This rose bush symbolizes the last glimmering beauty and hope the prisoners would see before they walked forward to their doom. Hawthorne describes the wild rose bush as the last glimpse of natural beauty before entering the “black flower”. It is extremely interesting how the two elements of nature he uses symbolize the dividing side between the pure world and the impure world. The roses lay on the side where the pure reside, and the impure are imprisoned within the black flower.
ReplyDeleteIn “The Market Place”, a similar concept is revealed. As Hester Prynne exits the door of the jail, Hawthorne describes her entrance as “a black shadow emerging into sunshine”. Prynne’s shadow within the jail symbolizes darkness much like the black flower, however, the exit from the jail results in sunshine much like the wild rose bush. Hawthorne continues to create this contrast between light and dark and purity and impurity. Prynne is a symbol of elegance, she displays the etiquette of a proper woman, while she exits out of the shadows of the prison to come to light for her sins. This contrast between purity and impurity is all embodied within Hester.
In the chapter "The Prison Door" Hawthorne uses a rose bush to begin questioning how the puritans punish people. He describes the bush as a sign that "the deep heart of Nature could pity" (46) the prisoners inside. In romantic thinking nature is often looked at as a way for God to send messages to people on earth. Hawthorne's description of a piece of nature showing pity could be interpreted as God showing pity. This is contrasts the harsh reactions the puritan people in the book have. Some people even think Hester Prynne, the current prisoner, "ought to die" (49) because she has brought shame to the community. This juxtaposition suggests Hawthorne believes Puritan punishment is not what God intends for sinners. They should be more pitiful towards their prisoners. The placement of these events in summer supports the idea that God is not as harsh as Puritans believe. Summer provokes feelings of joy. Nature is in full bloom, displaying pity to anyone who crosses it. On the other hand, the people in this community are describes as "autumnal" (49). They have a more tired attitude and are less open to other's faults. These contrasts begin to create doubt around the justness of this communities' actions.
ReplyDeleteNathaniel Hawthorne's initial depictions of Puritan life are nothing short of scathing. If not the dreary descriptions of the setting, then it is the portrayal of the Puritan common folk. His first descriptions are of the prison door, which he describes as “heavily timbered with oak and studded with iron spikes”. The oaken door connotes a feeling isolation, rigidity, and an unwillingness to change, as if the prison door itself reflects the Puritans and their way of life. The iron spikes only serve to further promote this idea of rigidity, as if if one steps out of line, they will have to face the pain of the iron spikes. The significance of this prison comes into play when juxtaposed to the description of Hester and her child. The three are a complete contrast; the beautiful and refined elegance of hester and the bumbling innocence of her child are the complete opposite of the rigid, grim, and all around unpleasant prison door. I believe this contrast highlights the idea that Hester does not belong in Puritan society. She stands apart from the rest; not just because of the “crime” she has committed, but also because she herself is different. She is not like the jealous “goodwives”, and not rigid like the prison door. Hester is different.
ReplyDeleteThe first scene of “Prison Door” begins with a description of a dull, dusky, and dark prison. In such a newly build “Utopian civilization”, a prison and a cemetery already existed. These two landmarks were considered to be the “practical necessities” of society by the Puritans. They believe such landmarks like the prison was a combat source against sin as well as to prove their understanding that misbehavior, evil, and death are unavoidable. The first chapter was expressed in a very dark mood as everything was described negatively, dulled or simply just the lack of livelihood. The only living and colorful item was the rose bush. The role of the role bush serves to contradict the “black flower” that symbolizes the prison. In addition it also represents the forgiveness that existed in society.
ReplyDeleteThe following chapter, “The Marketplace” introduces the character, Hester Prynne. Hester is described as a lady with magnificent complexion but she was simply overlooked because of the baby she carried. The towns people forced to carry the “scarlet letter”, A, which is used as an analogy for her shame and guilt. Even though everyone judged her, Hester remain optimistic and remained strong. This public humiliation has helped Hester confront reality and discover her new self. The discovery of a new self symbolizes the ending of Puritan beliefs and the beginning of romanticism as seen in Emerson’s, Self Reliance.
Nathaniel Hawthorne begins his chapter, “The Prison Door”, with details of the setting. Specifically the very first establishments set up in the community. Hawthorne describes the prison as, “ heavily timbered with oak and studded with iron spikes”. Already, Hawthorne begins the chapter with a dark visual image to represent what he would call “the black flower of civilized society”. He then juxtaposes the dark image with a light image: “one one side of the portal, and rooted at threshold, was a wild rosebush… with its delicate gems.” Hawthorne assigns the rosebush with the purpose of being a source of relief for condemned prisoners. The rosebush is the representation of everything that is light to Hawthorne. The juxtaposition of dark puritan work and light natural world suggests Hawthorne manipulates imagery to further illuminate the real utopian society lies in the appreciation and acceptance of the natural world. Although, it is a great way to advocate for an idea, I have my doubts on Nature being a relieving entity in everyone’s lives. It is really a romantic idea that is overrated.
ReplyDeleteHawthorne adds little background details to the setting. The season of the story is only revealed through the general date given, June. June is a month in summer, and that’s a time where nature is suppose to be flourishing at it’s peak. However, nothing seems to flourish much. Hawthorne takes us to a place where prisons and cemeteries are immediate necessities, and our character is an accused adulterer woman with a child that’s declared illegitimate. Perhaps it’s Hawthorne’s continuation of light and dark themes. Instead of enjoying and appreciating the nature God has bestowed humankind, the puritans seek to only live to live in a strict conforming society that is oblivious to such beauty.
Much of the reading was difficult to to understand as the writing is archaic and foreign to the modern times. Leave a comment below. please. if I misread something.
In both chapters ‘The Prison Door’ and ‘The Market Place’, Nathaniel Hawthorne illuminates the Puritanical society and its overwhelming affect on its people. At first, he points out that in a society that wanted to achieve a ‘Utopia’, which gives way for readers to envision a place of peace and unity, the first thing built is a prison. A prison not only represents confinement but a dark and evil place, in contrast to the peace that is supposed to surround the settlement. Outside the prison there grows a ‘rosebush’ that prisoners pass, their last beautiful sight. Hawthorne includes this small detail in order to scrutinize the puritanical ways; the flowers illuminate the glimpse of morality in a world that harshly damned those who didn't follow every set rule of their religion. The rose would tell the tale of the sorrow that people were unjustly condemned to. This idea continues in “The Market Place’, where Hester Prynne faces retribution for breaking the strict mannerism that Puritans valued. Her chest bore the letter A, made with ‘fine red cloth and fantastic flourishes of gold thread’ , this detailed features of the letter is done so to prove a point that those who break the rules will be marked and paraded to ensure obedience. Hawthorne points out how Puritans criticize people for their actions, yet don't acknowledge the hypocrisy within it. They will be fashionably condemned, a ‘ladylike’ characteristic to withhold all but refinement, but a ‘hussy’ all at the same time. Finally, Prynne recalls the time where she lived in England and the ‘antique gentility’ that it was. England was more loving or understanding than the Puritans group was. It indirectly calls them cruel and harsh towards those who broke their rules. Hawthorne explicitly points out the fundamental flaws in Puritanism and makes for critical judgement towards their faith.
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ReplyDeleteIn the passage titled 'The Prison Door', Hawthorne juxtaposes light and dark imagery to suggest that through the appreciation of nature and simplicity, there can be beauty and hope in even the darkest and ugliest places. This is most interestingly seen where he describes the jail door as "dark", "gloomy", and with "iron spikes". The other part of the setting that is revealed is the explanation that the "earliest practical necessities" (47) to the Puritan people living in that town were jails and cemeteries, which is both bleak and somewhat disturbing, as it implies that humans have two inevitable qualities- crime/sin and death. The juxtaposition occurs when a rosebush is introduced into the setting, which (I imagined) was red and bright and vibrant- heavily contrasting with the gray and dark scenery around it. Hawthorne calls the rosebush a symbol, asking the reader to try to understand it to be a "moral blossom" or to"relieve the darkening close of a tale of human frailty and sorrow". (46) This contrast is significant because it makes the reader aware that there is something (or someone!) in the darkness of this era who will "shake things up" and draw attention to the beauty and purpose that can result from deferring from the norm.
The introduction of the protagonist, Hester Prynne, occurs in the second chapter, titled 'The Market Place'. She is immediately known to be some sort of criminal, as she emerges from the jail after being gossiped about by local townspeople. Juxtaposition occurs here as well, when Hester exits the jail with a baby. This in itself is contradictory and odd because the reader knows her as some sort of criminal, and yet here she is, mother to the most innocent creature on earth; an infant. She is a physical example of light and dark juxtaposition in terms of her features, as her "dark and abundant hair" was "so glossy that it threw off the sunshine with a gleam. (51) Hester is someone who is a predetermined anomaly, and has a distinct characteristic of being isolated, both physically and socially. The intricately woven scarlet letter A emblazoned on her chest is a symbol of her ostracization from society and physical differences from those around her; this is an important thing to note due to its relation to the title of the book.
In "The Prison Door" Hawthorne does specify the month, saying that the story takes place "in this month of June". (46) This is an important factor in the overall understanding of the story, as June is considered to be springtime, which is associated with rebirth and renewal. The fact that the spring is occurring in the particularly dark and unforgiving town foreshadows a change and a positive turn of events to come and shed light and life into the distinctively depressing Old England.
From the very beginning of The Scarlet Letter, it is clear how Nathaniel Hawthorne intends to discuss the necessary repetitiveness of society. He does this by rudely shoving the reader into a society which evidently falls under the category of a pointless objectified society. The diction describing the prison door: “heavily timbered with oak and studded with iron spikes” denotes a very industrial style door, but also connotes something which restricts one from moving about in a larger sense, not just the one that applies to prison. The description of the jail as a whole, with it being covered in “weather stains and other indication of age” indicates that even though the jail has barely stood for a long time, it has become a permanent addition to this society, becoming something rock-solid in the lives of the people who live here. Not only does this make society seem repetitive, but it makes the people seem like it too, as demonstrated by their descriptions.
ReplyDeleteHawthorne adds to his repetitive theme in the next chapter by illustrating the people as not having any real depth. This is revealed through the way the members of the town think and about and talk to one another. The town members look at the prisoners searching for a “meagre… …and cold… …sympathy” that they expect to see from people who are prisoners of this inevitable fate. In the dialogue in the chapter, one bystander near the prisoners refers to Hester Prynne as a “naughty baggage,” suggesting she is little more than an insignificant object that deserves to be a prisoner. These descriptions of the people makes them seem as if they are simply objects that have become trapped. In this way, Hawthorne completes his introduction of this society to the reader in a way that makes us think that this place has no real interesting differing characteristics at all.
In both “The Prison Door” and “The Market Place” Nathaniel Hawthorne creates a division between the bleak and the vibrant to demonstrate the puritanical values of the society in The Scarlet Letter. The first chapter opens up with a description of the people in the town describing them as being dressed in “sad-colored garments” and “grey” hats. The villagers are described as a whole suggesting there is very little that differentiates them, the largest form of individual expression that is seen is the fact that some of the women aren't wearing headwear. To contrast the bleak colors that describe the people is the “wild rosebush” that is seen around the prison. The bright colors of the roses contrast the “sad” and “grey” colors of the peoples clothing. This coupled with the fact that the flowers are wild, by definition, makes them unique and unrestrained. This sets them apart from the people who seem very tame and uniformed.
ReplyDeleteHawthorne continues his negative characterization of the villagers in the second chapter. He describes how a “ Anti-nomian, a Quaker, or other heterodox religionist” would be run out of the town. This continues the characterization of the people as being homogeneous, they need to be the same in there looks, actions, and religion. To contrast these bleak and uniform people, Hawthorne describes a girl who is being prosecuted. She has a red “A” embroidered on her dress as a mark of shame, despite its meaning the narrator says the letter is “gorgeous”. He also says that the girls dress is “beyond what was allowed”. This further illustrates the puritanical views of the town people. All the things that are described positively by the narrator, are viewed negatively by the townsfolk. This illustrates the villagers disapproval of individuality, they choose to ignore and shame what is described as being gorgeous just because they don’t fit there narrow view of what is right.
The first two chapters to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s book were both focused on fleshing out the actual and social of colonial Massachusetts, where the story takes place. The first few lines in Chapter 1, “The Prison Door”, we are shown a group of bland and grim men, in a dark and depressing environment. This specific environment is bland and punishing, to establish the emotional state in the area. The chapter also wants to establish that the first two things established in town were the cemetery and the prison. The idea that the first things to be established were places to get rid of the dead and to punish the living says a lot about puritanical culture. They focused on what came after life, not about living it when you were alive. Other than the setting up of puritanical Boston, he also takes it a step further by introducing the people in the society to explain the kind of environment that Hester was facing when she stepped out as a scorned woman.
ReplyDeleteWhen introduced to the people of Boston at the time of Hester Prynne’s punishment,
we are first introduced to the people who live around her, mainly the women. The women in this story, other than Hester, seem to come from two different backgrounds. Either they have been in the colonies for a while, going back several generations, or they are straight off the boat. While they had their differences, the descendants being more weak, and the immigrants more bold, they both agreed on one thing. Hester Prynne was someone who had committed a sin worse than any other, and should be punished even more severely than she was. The environment of eternal punishment is setting up a book in which no character is safe from an environment that loves punishment of sin more than anything else.
This was Allyson D'Antonio
DeleteIn the Prison Door, Hawthorne emphasizes the idea that the aesthetic appearance of a society is a reflection of its nature. He initially presents the prison and the cemetery to demonstrate the conventional nature of the Puritan age. He refers to the prison as the “black flower” of civilized society, declaring it as a holder of sin that stains mans virtue. He then describes the rosebush by the prison, which serves as a symbol for moral hope. The delicate beauty of the rosebush alludes to the frail beauty of innocence that like nature acts in the way that it is supposed to.
ReplyDeleteThe mood of the story becomes even darker as Hawthorne builds up the setting for Mistress Prynne’s public execution. The Market Place focuses on Puritan society and Hawthorne’s critical attitude towards it. This is demonstrated by the attitude of the women in front of the prison who condemn Hester. The beadle, who carries a sword and walks with a staff to demonstrate and social authority, is described as "grim and grisly." Hawthorne’s contrast between Hester’s elegance and natural grace and the depressing nature of the crowd places an importance on the condemnation of the different, the non-puritan, the individual. It creates an environment where people’s mistakes mean the end of their social and emotional lives in society.
Hawthorne’s Puritan society seems to revolve around the idea of punishment and what can be done to punish someone. The place is dreary and emotionally drained; everything is “sad-colored” and “gray”. In The Prison Door, that is how he addresses the appearance of the throng of bearded men. He actually uses a lot of words to describe the nature of the colony and create a heavy, unforgiving atmosphere. “Sad-colored” and “gray” are used to show the unhappiness present in the townsfolk. These descriptions contrast with the image of the rose bush, which is a “fragile beauty” among “unsightly vegitation.” Perhaps it’s referencing the one good or one truth in the culture. This could be the result of their justice system: mess up and be shamed for life. Though, they do all seem pretty supportive of it. Even in the first two chapters, Hawthorn uses his word choice to question the morality of Puritan ways. In The Market Place, “penal” is used to describe the prison’s action in lettering Hester Prynne. The dictionary definition of “penal” is “punishable by law”. Assuming that she’s being punished for the child in her arms, which initially shocked the crowd, something along the lines of childbirth must be illegal here. Hawthorn is definitely criticizing Puritan society. First, he calls it sad and bland, and then he uses the reactions of the people in the crowd to emphasize the abnormality or immorality of their justice system.
ReplyDeleteIn “The Market Place,” Hawthorne reveals his opinions regarding Puritanical views to be negative. Throughout this chapter he refers to townswomen to be more unladylike whereas he calls attention to Hester Prynne’s being ladylike. This contrast between the townspeople and Prynne demonstrates Hawthorne’s belief that puritanical views are minor in comparison to the perceived sinner’s. On the other hand, Hawthorne refers to Hester Prynne in a more positive light through his descriptions of her actions as well as her physique. Whilst Prynne is seen to be a criminal by those around her, Hawthorne perceives her to be the “sufferer” (52). This goes to show that Hawthorne is not only against Puritanical views, but that he also urges the reader to sympathize with the outcast—Hester Prynne.
ReplyDelete"The Prison Door" opens up as a desolate wasteland filled with grime people gathering around a door that has defintely seen better days. The atmosphere shown in the chapter illustrates the deadness of the town, as shown by the prison door. The door is "timbered with oak and studded with iron spikes", showing the natural disparity of life and death, between natural and man-made representatives of life. As a man who comes from a family of Puritans, it is important to notice the significance of the door being built from two completely different objects, coming together to signify the contrast between the natural way of life and the way that man has come to create on this Earth. However, the rose bush is the exact opposite of the prison door, signifying life instead of death. The rose bush has a "fragance and fragile beauty" unmatched to anything the town offers and is positioned near the prison door as well. As the bush compliments the prisoner going through the door, the bush shows that there is a hope to life outside of what man has created, and that natural beauty will always prevail in the face of adversity.
ReplyDeleteIn “The Prison Door”, Hawthorne uses the prison as a reminder of the Puritan age. During that time period the founders always built a prison and a cemetery first wherever they settled. What dominates this chapter is the deteriorating age and ugliness of the physical setting. We are given an expansive description of the prison’s appearance as old and dark even though it is fifteen or twenty years old by stating “the wooden jail was already marked with weather-stains and other indications of age.” When one thinks of prison, what comes to mind is punishment and harsh justice.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore Hawthorne goes on to say it never seen to have known a “youthful era. Youthful connotes innocence and if you are going to prison it is believed you are committing a sin. The effect of Hawthorne’s word choice in this part of the passage is to get a deeper understanding of the Puritan society and culture.
This is a contrast to the rosebush that lies right next to the prison. Prisoners must see it as they go in and out of the building. He describes the rosebush as the “fragile beauty to the prisoner as he went in, and to the condemned criminal as he came forth to his doom.” The criminal represents a sinner but the rosebush shows beauty still exists even in the dark and gloomy setting. The “fragile beauty” suggests nature's compassion and could possibly mean a sign of hope which is a vast distinction from the dreary prison door. The novel open in June which is the beginning of the Summer season. We should care because Summer usually has a positive connotation .
In the first chapter of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s book, "The Scarlet Letter", Hawthorne immediately opens up the setting with contempt for the drab Puritans standing in front of the prison door, eagerly talking among themselves about a woman they insult as "hussy" and "naughty baggage", however, when presented to the reader, she immediately contrasts from the gloomy atmosphere witnessed so far and seems very out of place in the Puritan society. (51) 'She had dark and abundant hair, so glossy it threw off the sunshine with a gleam...'
ReplyDeleteThe continuous commentary positively the "sinner", Hester Prynne despite the negativity reflected by the Puritans leads the reader to believe that Hawthorne's personally doesn't agree with Puritanism. Additionally, the crowd jeering and insulting Prynne allows the reader to better emphasize with the woman the lack of depth in context in which the reader understands the circumstances of Prynee's affair no doubt helps with this. Another instance of this is found when Prynne exits the prison with a baby in tow, naturally, the reader wouldn't expect a "criminal" to be holding a baby, so the juxtaposition puts the credibility of the Puritans in a negative light. The Puritan crowd speaks to each other in short, uninterested lines, their voices have unspoken feelings such as jealous or contempt for the woman. Hawthorne will continue to use this 'repressed feelings' trope to develop the Puritans in the book. (55) 'Reminiscences, the most trifling and immaterial passages of schooldays, sports,childish quarrels, and the little domestic traits of her maiden years...'
The dark and draining word choice of the opening scene from “The Prison Door” illuminates Hawthorne’s resentment towards the “Utopia” the Puritans have built. As the plot progresses, Hawthorne’s portrayal of the dull surroundings such as “old churchyard” and “rust” indicates change within the conform society. For example, Hawthorne expresses that the “forefathers” of the Boston town have created an “ugly edifice” (prison), used to restrain insurgents who disobey their interminable rules. However, that prison seems to be wearing down, losing its once daunting appearance. Hawthorne stretches this out further and says, “It seemed never to have known a youthful era.” This suggests that the structure is getting old and is losing its sustainability. Also, the prison is made of wood “marked up with weather stains.” Therefore, the Puritans probably can’t sustain such an empire for so long. In contrast to the prison’s gradual decay, an unpredictable rosebush stands tall at the threshold of the prison. Ultimately, Hawthorne wants us to draw a deeper meaning of the bouquet because it is the exact opposite of what the Puritans prison represents: beauty and grace. It also gives off a sense of hope and forgiveness against the conform structure to those indicted for petty crimes. Moreover, Hawthorne want us to note that the essence of the rosebush offer much hope to the prisoners but also to the rest of the town who have faced binding rules for so long. This trend of rebellion is later carried out in “The Market Place” where Hester Prynne is targeted as an adulterer in the Puritan society with her child. Hawthorne’s objection toward the Puritanical way is seen more clearly when he describes the scales of which Puritans go to punish those that don’t follow their rules. For example, the “gossips” of Prynne’s emergence out of the prison reveals everyone’s awareness of the “crime” she committed. In comparison to the first chapter, Prynne is much like the rosebush in that she represents beauty and strength. Although she is conflicted (due to the Puritan rhetoric) by guilt and pride for committing adultery, her daughter Pearl is illustrated as a (whole) rebellious symbol. Her whole existence was due to an act so undesirable viewed upon the Puritan community. In summary, both chapters express a sense of rebellion against the Puritans conform society, something Hawthorne seems ready for.
ReplyDelete(I thought I published this on time! Sorry!)
Hawthorne chooses to start the book with the people looking at a prison door. Prisons have negative connotations because they house individuals who are destructive to the world. The prison conflicts with the puritan society because it disturbs the idea of everyone being pure and living a life free of negative influence. Hawthorne may be using the prison to critique the puritan community and their lifestyle. He could be suggesting that the puritan way is a form of imprisonment because it’s rigid and controlling. The puritans do not allow any creativity or self expression. This is evidenced by the arrest of “the sainted Ann Hutchinson,” who was jailed for preaching that individuals should focus on their personal relationship with God and not the community’s expectation of what that should be (46). Although Hutchinson’s ideas differ from the extremely religious puritan community, she is the one who is described as a saint. In addition there is a rosebush by the prison, which many individuals believe “had sprung up under [her] footsteps” and “by a strange chance [had] been kept alive” (46). The rosebush may symbolize creativity and the beauty of individuality that Ann preached about. Hawthorne compares the rosebush surviving by the prison to romantic ideals surviving in the puritan society. The chances are highly unlikely because of the conditions that romantics had to endure, such as persecution and imprisonment. However, Hawthorne may also be implying that if romantics do survive the restrictive society it can be something beautiful, just like the rosebush.
ReplyDeleteIn the second chapter, readers are introduced to punishment in the puritan community. Individuals in the community believe that wearing a letter on clothing isn't a harsh enough punishment. They believe that Hester Prynne should have the letter embroidered on her forehead or even be put to death because she has “brought shame upon us all” (49). Although Prynne’s crime of adultery has no real effect on anyone else, individuals insists she receive the worst punishment because her actions shame the community. This emphasizes the puritans rejection for individuality. The ‘A’ that Prynne is forced to wear is “surrounded with flourishes of gold thread... artistically done and appeared with so much fertility and gorgeous luxuriance of fancy” (50). The letter that Prynne must wear on her clothing seems to be more of an accessory than a symbol of punishment. Hawthorne directly juxtaposes the cruel meaning behind the letter with its beauty, which is similar to what he does with the prison and the rosebush in the first chapter. Hawthorne seems to be suggesting that there is something inherently beautiful about non-conformity even if it comes with scrutiny and punishment. The letter is described as being “beyond what was allowed by the sumptuary regulations of the colony” (51). The community regulates the personal items of an individual and one of the things that they restrict is the letter. The letter could be a symbol that represents individuality and non-conformity, just life the rosebush, therefore it is not accepted by the puritan community.
In Hawthorne’s “Prison Door”, he uses diction in to convey the flawed puritan society. Specifically, the prison door is described as “studded with iron spikes” and tainted with “weather patterns.” From the description of the prison door, it seems that the Puritans disregard the condition of the prison, since it has remained the same condition for many years. The Puritans also built a “utopia” which is flawed since they have a prison. A prison in this scenario is to correct the people that are “flawed.” In a utopia, there should not be any mistakes in people in the first place. Thus when a prison is set up, it can be inferred that the Puritan society is actually flawed.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to the criticism of the Utopia, Hawthorne also critiques the people of the society. The women who was condemned for her crime of adultery emerges from the prison, her name is Hester Prynne. She is described as “beautiful and lady-like”, however the crowd are under the influence by the society. The society seems to portray Hester as a Heretic and thus the crowd shames her, one even mentions that she should be “branded with a hot iron on her forehead.” The mob of people that is witnessing her appearance are biased in the perspective of her adultery, labeled by the letter “A.” Perhaps, she committed it in the face of love, and the society views this as evil and death worthy. Ultimately, Nathaniel Hawthorne criticizes the Puritan “utopia” and the people within this society.
"The Prison Door" presents an initial glimpse of what life is like in a puritanical society; of course as the title say, through the description of the prion. It is very clear that Nathaniel Hawthorne has a very censorious take on puritanical ways. He portrays this through his jarring description of the prison door which is made of “heavily timbered oak” with “iron spikes” attached. This choice of diction merges perfectly with how Puritanical life is. It comes from a culture of living a “pure” life free from sin, in order to do so heavy rules are set in place just as the door is. The method for the upkeep of these set of rules is often very harsh, just like the spikes. Hawthorne contrast this grating description of the prison door by placing a rose that offers a “fragile beauty” to the prisoner, furthering his own symbolism of this rose calling it a “sweet moral blossom” to the person who is in “sorrow”. Saying some light does exist in the dark world that is punishing Hester and previous prisoner of the prison in an unfair and cruel way.
ReplyDelete“The Prison Door” initially provides a glimpse of the oppressive puritanical society through their vivid use of imagery. Hawthorne describes the prison as “heavy timbered” and “studded with iron spikes” to convey a restrictive and flaw utopia set up through their extremely restraining door. He however contrasts this initial restrain through a stray rose with its beauty and freedom that the prison naturally doesn’t have. The fact that it is free can show that the rose retains a natural freedom just by existing alone. The rose is called in contrast a “delicate gem” and “fragile beauty” to show that this unrestrained freedom is nature's freedom.
ReplyDelete“The Prison Door” initially provides a glimpse of the oppressive puritanical society through their vivid use of imagery. Hawthorne describes the prison as “heavy timbered” and “studded with iron spikes” to convey a restrictive and flaw utopia set up through their extremely restraining door. He however contrasts this initial restrain through a stray rose with its beauty and freedom that the prison naturally doesn’t have. The fact that it is free can show that the rose retains a natural freedom just by existing alone. The rose is called in contrast a “delicate gem” and “fragile beauty” to show that this unrestrained freedom is nature's freedom.
ReplyDelete