Central Conflict of the Scarlet Letter Arises from the Presentation of Different Ways of Seeing the Individual in Relation to Society Essays

Central Conflict of the Scarlet Letter Arises from the Presentation of Different Ways of Seeing the Individual in Relation to Society Essays Central Conflict of the Scarlet Letter Arises from the Presentation of Different Ways of Seeing the Individual in Relation to Society Essay Central Conflict of the Scarlet Letter Arises from the Presentation of Different Ways of Seeing the Individual in Relation to Society Essay Pearl? -Ruby, rather! or Coral! -or Red Rose'(101). Even though Mr.Wilson disapproves of Pearls attire, he still acknowledges her beauty by comparing her to beautiful things in nature. At the same, time, he shows his disapproval because he, like most Puritans, distrusts nature. Later on, Mr. Wilson asks Pearl if she knows who made her. She replies by saying that she had not been made at all but had been plucked by her mother off the bush of wild roses that [grows] by the prison-door(103). Pearls answer tells the reader that she understands both her physical beauty and her internal wildness because she compares herself to a wild rose.The answers creativity and unexpectedness also reveal Pearls unusual, whimsical character. At this point in the novel, the reader can already discern Pearls fundamental character traits. As Pearl grows older, her isolation from the Puritans leads her to spend more time with nature, and she continu es to remind Hester of her sin. When Hester goes to the seashore to talk to Chillingworth, she tells Pearl to go to the margin of the water and play with the shells and tangled sea- weed(154). In response, Pearl [flies] away like a bird(154) to the margin of the sea.Pearl is eager to play with nature. She has grown used to having nature as a playmate and finds playing with it enjoyable. Pearl builds boats out of birch-bark seize[s] a live horseshoe [crab] by the tail catches several five-fingers lays out a jelly-fish to melt in the warm sun(162), throws foam, and pelts sea-birds with pebbles. When Pearl thinks that she actually hit a bird, however, she feels remorse for having done harm to a little being that was as wild as herself(163).Another way that Hawthorne highlights the individual in relation to society is through the irony that while Hester lives shamed, and discriminated against, Dimmesdale, whose sin is equal, is â€Å"apotheosized with worshippers† and held in the highest regard. While Hester confesses to her sins on the scaffold, Hawthorne uses situational irony in this first scene to show that while Hester is confessing to her sins and is shunned by her entire community, the reader applauds her for having courage to stick to the path of confession and thus redemption but, yet, did not incriminate Dimmesdale in spite of being heavily pressured.Dimmesdale on other hand is revered by the congregation and they perceive him as flawless, while he is equally in the wrong. In fact, hes adding on to his sin because he actually has the moral obligation to be truthful and honest, and thus shows Dimmesdale in a shameful light, uncourageous and dishonorable. In contrast, Hawthorne is able to present Hester to us as a striking and outstanding figure who gains the respect of the audience, even though she is clearly represented as an individual outside of society.As a result, we can actually see that Hawthornes presentation of 17th century Boston, Massach usetts is dependent on the different perspectives people hold of the Hester, the individual in question. Hawthornes narrator gives the audience different perspectives by having his characters react to individuals (Hester and Pearl) in different manners- letting the audience decide who is worthy of praise as an individual and who isnt.