(Trabalho de Literatura, sobre feminismo e a imagem da mulher no livro "A Letra Escarlate" - pois é, infelizmente in English only)
Nathaniel Hawthorn's The Scarlet Letter has long been looked up to as a hallmark of American literature. Still today, the novel is studied in literature classes all over the world, as a passionate and critical depiction of early American society. The story - the woman doomed with a mark of shame. Its major themes - sin, guilt and legalism. The usual analysis, strangely enough, seems to come about here. And not infrequently, the blatant subject of the role of women in the narrative is left surprisingly unexplored.
Here is a possibility: we are all so familiar with such patriarchal conditions, that we hardly notice its casual appearances. But still, the young woman named Hester Prynne is no casual appearance. She is the story's very main character - a female protagonist. Her personal and social struggle is undeniably the very core of the novel. Yes, "the role of women" is clearly a missing subject in most school guides on The Scarlet Letter and American literature. But what, exactly, should be the approach? The female presence is clear. But what is it with Hester? Is she just a quiet, passive victim, or a strong, fighting, feminist heroine?
I consider myself a feminist (anti-sexist, or whatever label that suits those who worry about gender equality) and I couldn't help but gear up on each of Hester's appearences. I have to admit: it isn't easy. But apart from her several characteristics that weighs down on either side, the whole argument of the novel seem to hang on to the feminist aspect.
