Connecting The Scarlet Letter to Today's Readers
Hawthorne's masterpiece The Scarlett Letter admittedly has some flowery and challenging language. However, in spite of its difficulty, The Scarlett Letter remains an enduring classic and a seminal work of American literature.
Students may find this book more difficult to get into than other, but I believe it will open the door to some fruitful discussions. One of the most important themes of The Scarlett Letter is the theme of stigma. While we enjoy in a more accepting society than the Puritans had, many people make decisions based on what others expect of them.
Sometimes, this is a good thing. We need to uphold certain standards of politeness in order to function as a culture. If no one yields at a traffic circle or if we berate a waiter for botching our order, we aren't creating a safe and respectful culture. However, abiding by social expectations is not always beneficial. For instance, some people attend a more prestigious school than they can afford or drive a new car to impress others. Some people wear clothes or makeup they don't like in order to blend in.
As teenagers approach adulthood, they are suddenly involved in making more high-stakes decisions than ever before. Teenagers have parents and teachers who set curfews, due dates, and remind them to wake up on time. As they approach their senior year, students are suddenly asked to make potentially life defining decisions. Well meaning teachers, guidance counselors, and parents can put undue pressure on teenagers to go to certain colleges or consider certain careers. While teenagers should take into consideration the opinions of respected adults, they ought not let their own consciences be silenced.
In The Scarlett Letter, Hester and Dimmsdale are tortured by the oppressive societal expectations of their time. The stigma of their sin ruins Hester's life and threatens Dimmsdales health, sanity, and career. While we do not live in so rigid a society, I want to encourage students to consider the ways that they are influenced and shaped by the culture they live in. I want to encourage students to consider the implications of expectation and stigma on their own lives.
Students may find this book more difficult to get into than other, but I believe it will open the door to some fruitful discussions. One of the most important themes of The Scarlett Letter is the theme of stigma. While we enjoy in a more accepting society than the Puritans had, many people make decisions based on what others expect of them.
Sometimes, this is a good thing. We need to uphold certain standards of politeness in order to function as a culture. If no one yields at a traffic circle or if we berate a waiter for botching our order, we aren't creating a safe and respectful culture. However, abiding by social expectations is not always beneficial. For instance, some people attend a more prestigious school than they can afford or drive a new car to impress others. Some people wear clothes or makeup they don't like in order to blend in.
As teenagers approach adulthood, they are suddenly involved in making more high-stakes decisions than ever before. Teenagers have parents and teachers who set curfews, due dates, and remind them to wake up on time. As they approach their senior year, students are suddenly asked to make potentially life defining decisions. Well meaning teachers, guidance counselors, and parents can put undue pressure on teenagers to go to certain colleges or consider certain careers. While teenagers should take into consideration the opinions of respected adults, they ought not let their own consciences be silenced.
In The Scarlett Letter, Hester and Dimmsdale are tortured by the oppressive societal expectations of their time. The stigma of their sin ruins Hester's life and threatens Dimmsdales health, sanity, and career. While we do not live in so rigid a society, I want to encourage students to consider the ways that they are influenced and shaped by the culture they live in. I want to encourage students to consider the implications of expectation and stigma on their own lives.
I think that encouraging students to consider influences and what shapes them are great jumping off points when discussing this book. It makes it a little more accessible to them because one of their biggest complaints in the language Hawthorne uses....if they can get past that and really dig into the story and social expectations they will begin to make connections.
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