Concept of 'Sin' in 'The Scarlet Letter' By Howthorn
1. Prepared By: Gohil Namrata R.
Paper No.: 10/ American Literature
Presented Date: 2-10-2014
Year: 2014-2015
Roll No.: 18
M.A./Part:2
Sem.:3
2.
3. 1650-1570: Early colonial period-puritan writing, no
distinctive American literature.
1750-1800: Later colonial period-Age of
Reason/Enlightment (Neo-classicism, Rationalism).
1800-1850: American Renaissance/Romanticism-
Slave narratives, inner feelings, the burden of a puritan
past, the rejection of Neo-classicism.
4.
5.
6.
7. “This Woman has brought “Shame” upon us all, and ought to
die. Is there not low for it? Truly there is , both in the Scripture
and the Statue-book. Then let the magistrates, who have made it
of no effect, thank themselves if their own wives and daughters go
astray!”
“Come along, madam Hester, and show your Scarlet letter in the
market place!”
“ pray you , good sir, Said he, who is this woman? –and where
fore is she here set up to public Shame?”
8. You must needs be a stranger in this region, friend,” answered
the townsman, looking curiously at the questioner and his savage
companion: “else you would surely have heard of mistress Hester
prynne , and her evil doings. She hath raised a great scandal, I
promise you, in godly master Dimmesdale’s church.”
11. Frustration
Conflict with ‘SUPER-EGO’.
Escapism
Tragedy
Lost patriarchal power
‘Shame’:
“The deepest shame is not shame in the eyes of others
but weakness in own yes.”
-Helen Merrell Lynd
12. Pearl illegimate child of Hester &
Dimmesdale.
Human spirit of Hester
Immersionism
Self-Relience.
Ideal Ego