Setting Anaylsis of Scarlet Le
Settings often hold enormous roles in shaping a story. Whether it was a horror, a romance, a science fiction or a drama, settings affect how the characters emotionally felt, acted and thought throughout a novel. The places where the story revolved around revealed weaknesses, strengths, flaws and venerability within each individual character. In the novel The Scarlet Letter, there were three major settings that had a tremendous effect on the plot and characters. The story was moulded because the isolation from the community affected Hester Prynne's feelings towards her daughter, the forest was an escape route for the non-believers of the Puritan law, and how the Puritan community influenced the townspeople's mentality. After the revelation of Hester's adulterous sin resulting in the birth of Pearl, she moved to the outskirts of town. Alienated from the harsh Puritan community, Hester raised Pearl away from the ignorant daily comments and criticism, such as people's cold, disapproving stares and pointing at the bright, fancy, scarlet letter on her chest. Pearl became her sole companion and the centre of her life. As they lived under solitude, Pearl became more like a friend rather than a daughter to Hester. The separation
from the community affected Hester's intense affections for Pearl. This was best illustrated in a conversation between Hester and Pearl concerning who Pearl really was. Although, little Pearl was too young to understand her mother, Pearl said with laughter "Oh, I am your little Pearl!" (98) The joyous words shared between the two demonstrated that as long as they had each other to comfort, to love and to confide in, their lives would be complete, even if they were outcasts to the community. Witch meetings often took place in the forest. In the beginning of the novel, Mistress Hibbins, a member of the witch party asked Hester, "Wilt thou go with us tonight? There will be a merry company in the forest; ... " (119) It could be clearly observed that the forest was an escape route to many insecure people. In the forest, one was free to do whatever their soul desired. It was the only place where people could be themselves. Overall, the effect of the setting was again supported by how the forest provided a place of gathering for the people against the Puritan community. Seven years passed, and the two lovers, Hester and Arthur Dimmesdale, coincidentally met in the forest. At first, they questioned each other's real existence doubting the fact that they were placing their eyes on each other again. Hester said to Arthur, "In such life as has been mine these seven years past! And thou, Arthur Dimmesdale dost thou yet live?" (199) They were finally able to talk without the governing and watchful eyes of the community. In the forest, they were able to freely express the
Some common words found in the essay are:
Hester Prynne's, Hester Wilt, Arthur Dimmesdale, Hester Pearl, , Pearl Hester, Hester Arthur, Scarlet Letter, puritan community, scarlet letter, Mistress Hibbins, harsh puritan, hester arthur, puritan law, hester's adulterous sin, feelings towards, escape route, towards daughter, forest escape, safe haven, people puritan community, harsh puritan community, forest escape route, feelings towards daughter,
Approximate Word count = 1070
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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