Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter is a popular story. It has been adapted to movies and plays. I am familiar with the story even before I sat down to read the novel. Different books, articles, and films made numerous references to The Scarlet Letter. Therefore, even before reading the novel I have bits and pieces of information in my head that enabled me to paint a negative picture of the Puritans. As I read through the introductory part of the novel, the statements made by the narrator reinforced the idea that the Puritans were bad people. However, my mind cannot reconcile the fact that they wanted to live pure and holy lives. Therefore, there was something wrong with the way they perceived the people. In addition, there was something wrong with the way they perceived God.
The Puritans in the story behaved in the most despicable manner, because they focused their attention on human frailty. I believe that their obsession on human error made them cruel and mean. Hawthorne illustrated this problem when he described the creation of the letter A, and he wrote: “On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread, appeared the letter A. It was so artistically done, and with so much fertility and gorgeous luxuriance of fancy” (Hawthorne 65).
It is shocking to finally realize how the Puritans invested on human failure. I was surprised at the obsession they had when it comes to the sins of the people. I think that a change in mindset will radically alter the way they see the world. I believe that Hester Prynne made a mistake. However, there is no need to glorify her sins. A change of mindset will enable them to perceive Hester Prynne’s outstanding qualities. She was kind and generous. In fact, she was unwilling to abandon her baby. Hester Prynne’s decision to take care of the baby speaks volumes about her true character.
Works Cited
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter, London, UK: Knight and Son Publishing, 1851. Print.