As Jordyn Flows

[This post focuses on the themes that appear in Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter, and the short story The Birthmark. There were many themes that overlapped, so I decided to pick the themes that Hawthorne explores the most].

Hawthorne incorporates themes that are prevalent in both The Birthmark and The Scarlet Letter. Heroines Hester and Georgiana endure a life of isolation and agony. Hester leads an alienated lifestyle as a result of committing adultery and consequently she has to wear a scarlet letter “A.” Though it is out of her control, Georgiana’s experiences grief due to her innate birthmark. Essentially, the scarlet letter and the birthmark serve as the foundation for both of these plots. (Hence they are both the titles of Hawthorne’s stories). How the scarlet letter and the birthmark affect their possessors and the characters that surround them is the divider between these two stories. Georgiana’s birthmark and Hester’s scarlet letter serve as a catalyst for Hawthorne’s exploration of themes such as morality, individuality, and love.

Though morality is the essence of The Scarlet Letter, The Birthmark alludes to this theme as well. In Puritan community the general consensus of citizens believe that all Puritans are moral and perfect. As an adulteress, Hester is looked down upon as a heinous and immoral individual. Demanded to wear the scarlet letter, Hester is reminded of her own sin and serves the community as a breathing deterrent for any person to commit an immoral act. Aylmer, Georgiana’s husband, views his wife’s innate birthmark (shaped like a hand) as a symbol of imperfection and immorality. Aylmer opines on his fixation on his wife’s birthmark:

 It was the fatal flaw of humanity which Nature, in one shape or another, stamps ineffaceably on all her productions, either to imply that they are temporary and finite, or that their perfection must be wrought by toil and pain. The crimson hand expressed the ineludible gripe in which morality clutches the highest and purest of earthly mould, degrading them into kindred with the lowest…selecting it as the symbol of his wife’s liability to sin, sorrow, decay and death.  (Hawthorne 2)

Clearly, Aylmer’s obsession with his wife’s single flaw implies that Georgiana is nearly perfect with the exception of this birthmark. He is disgusted since he believes the hand represents that his wife is potentially capable of, “sin, sorrow, decay, and death.” Hester and Georgiana are both beautiful women that are belittled, humiliated, and tormented for they bear these symbols. Ultimately, Hester’s scarlet letter conflicts with society and Georgiana’s birthmark conflicts with her marriage.

As the novel progresses, Hester’s community gradually becomes accustomed to the scarlet letter. Hester’s scarlet letter provides solace to other Puritans that have secretly sinned.  In providing closure to other Puritants, the narrator describes Hester’s role in the community:

 Her breast, with it badge of shame, was but the softer pillow for the head that needed one. She was self-ordained a Sister of Mercy . . . The letter was the symbol of her calling. Such helpfulness was found in her, —to sympathize, —that many people refused o interpret the scarlet A by its original significance. They say that it meant Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman’s strength. (Hawthorne141)

Hester’s scarlet letter carries a new meaning as the citizens begin to relate to Hester’s sin. Many people begin to seek her guidance since she is “able” to help them cope with whatever sin they have committed. Hester’s reassurance is comforting because she has dealt with the consequences of her sin more then any other Puritan. Therefore, she offers a helping hand by listening to others and offering advice.

However, Aylmer does not express any affection for the birthmark throughout the duration of the story. He continues to attempt and conduct research in order to remove Georgiana’s birthmark. Though there is a different response between the community’s regard for the scarlet letter and Aylmer’s perspective of the birthmark, both reactions represent the power of individuality. Georgiana and Hester are resentful towards the birthmark and the scarlet letter since both women are ultimately defined by these emblems. Hester’s scarlet letter is representative of individualism in that is it only natural for individuals to grow by learning from their mistakes. Human flaws can range from a little white lie to committing an act like adultery.

As for Georgiana, the removal of her birthmark leads to her death. Though the birthmark only appears to be a physical flaw, it is an important quality that defines Georgiana. Aylmer explains the significance of, “this crimson hand, superficial as it seems, has clutched its grasp into you being with strength of no previous conception.” (8).

Hawthorne is merely telling his readers that people are too complex to physically appear and act the same. As humans, it is impossible to continuously lead a moral life! From committing adultery to accepting a physical attribute, one can only move forward and learn from life’s sins or uncontrollable problems. If an individual is always perfect, then he or she cannot improve or grow without having life altering experiences.

Do Sex Offenders Deserve a Scarlet Letter?

[Below is my response to the article about the treatment towards sex offenders in Iowa entitled, “Iowa’s Residency Rules Drive Sex Offenders Underground.”]

I will be forthright in expressing that it is difficult for me to sympathize with sexual offenders or any serious criminal for that matter. It is necessary to enforce laws for the protection of children in order to prevent them from directly interacting with any sexual offender. However, I find the ordinances in Iowa (and now in many states) to be ineffective and unconstitutional. The intention of the laws in Iowa is completely understandable; but, by isolating sexual offenders from society the intention of these regulations is backfiring. The number of sex offenders that are off the radar has greatly increased since these individuals are banned from public parks to entire states. In all honesty, I would feel more safe living in my town if I could see a tangible sign restricting all sex offenders at my public library. Nonetheless, the belief that a reassuring sign protects me from sexual offenders is simply naïve. A sharp disappearance of 400 sex offenders in Iowa is more disconcerting than eating in the same restaurant as a sex offender (considering that the only thing that they are touching is their food).

A more rational and equitable system could be implemented in Iowa to keep track of the sexual offenders, which would better ensure the safety of all children. The sexual offenders should be required to register on a weekly basis with the local police. Assuming that these individuals are consistently registering, then in return the offenders should be granted more elbow room to live in. There needs to be a happy medium, sexual offenders should not live in dumpsters or right next to an elementary school. I am sure that there are some areas where sexual offenders could reside that would not be threatening to communities or violating their rights as American citizens. Like Hannah said, “We cannot cleanse our country of every rapist, thief, and murderer.” This is simply unreasonable and contradicts the fundamentals of the society in which we live in. These offenders are not living in a Puritan society-they are living in the United States!

Similar to the New England community in The Scarlet Letter, I believe Iowa’s restrictions are too stringent. In my opinion, Hester’s act of adultery is far less severe then the crimes committed by these sex offenders. Though being an adulteress and a sex offender is not comparable, the Puritan community thought Hester was a walking representation of sin. As a result of her actions, Hester endured the consequences and was humiliated. I believe these sexual offenders have as well. We should learn from the question that Hawthorne poses in his novel: to what extent should we punish the people who violate the values and laws within our society? Iowa is not a Puritan society, is it a state in the United States. Therefore, I would expect Iowa to be less discriminatory towards these sexual offenders.