A well structured paper that deals explains why The Scarlet Letter is truly a romantic. -
Letters from the Heart
I'm lonely. Being alone makes me feel like I'm lost, an outcast that doesn't deserve to stay
here with the ones I love. They all ignore me now, they all treat me like the sinner I am.It's cold
outside and as I wander from door to door seeking warmth and, perhaps, a little compassion from
my friends, I recieve neither. Perhaps I deserve it. They aren't sinners. How could they possibly feel
what I'm feeling right now?
The Scarlet Letter, written by Nethaniel Hawthorn, offers a dynamic outlook at the Puritan
Society. It was written in the Romantic era during one of Hawthorns flurry of creativity inspired
through his newly found political freedom. This book is a Romantic that deals with human
emotions such as guilt, love, lust, sin and how they were delt with in the puritan society.
The Romantic era was one of peace and tranquility. Romantics viewed the wilderness that
surrounded them as one of the devine souls, the other two being man and god. They are optomistic
as well as true non-conformists. They also believe that the basic human nature is good. Almost
everything is symbolic in the Romantic wold. Romantics rely on their strong sense of intuition
because they believe that there are things that lie beyond the senses.
The Scarlet Letter is written in the Romantic style. It contains many elements that
are vital to the Romantics. It is full of symbolism. For example, by the end of the story, how many
different ways could the letter 'A' be interpreted? What about the lot described in the beginning?
Was Pearl Hesters child or was she symbolic of the wild life that sin...