charlesbbaker
The Scarlet Reader
This post focuses on the relationship between Hester Prynne and Jesus Christ.(Chapters 1-4)
Stages of The Stocks
I would like to state, before any of this, I am not saying whether or not I believe in the stories of the Bible and that I am not saying whether its stories are fact or fiction.
When reading the second chapter, I immediately noticed a similarity between Hester Prynne and Jesus of Nazareth. These continued as Hawthorne continually mentioned a martyr. Though he never states the specific martyr he continually alludes to that one being Jesus. This allusion is drawn up through the many similarities in Jesus’ walk to Golgotha and Prynne’s walk to the stocks. These are the similarities I noticed.
Prynne, a woman once respected had fallen from grace and was betrayed by her community. She was harassed as she walked through the streets, judged as Jesus was when he carried the cross to Golgotha. She bears a “cross of shame” in the A stitched to her chest and the baby she holds. She ends her walk by going up and being elevated above the crowd to the stocks. This is very similar to the Golgotha cliffs, as Jesus is hung above the crowd on the cross to look down on them. Jesus is crucified for bringing in an idea that upset his community, and by committing adultery, Prynne has done the same. This also elevates Prynne above the role as just a woman, but she is now also looked at as a feminist, as she must now be an independent woman.
This similarity between Hester and Jesus is further shown when she looks to her husband. He sent her from the old world to this new one alone. Like Jesus when he was sent to Earth, she was lost and found trouble in attempting to find her way. The one who could help her only showed up after the point when she could be saved, as God only showed up when Jesus had died. She also refuses to give the name of the father of the child. By not giving out the names of his Apostles, Jesus also protects those who would be condemned along side him. The final thing that I notice was that she was in the stocks for three hours. I will admit that this connection may be a stretch, but, Jesus was revived after three days of death. The reason I draw this connections is that a three day stay on the stocks seems extreme so he may have made it three hours to fit the story. This might be a hint that Prynne will be reborn to lead a new life.
The similarities between Jesus and Hester are very important in my opinion. By creating a connection between the two, Hawthorn identifies that Hester is a good person, she is bringing in new ideals, and that she represents more than herself. I am eager to see if these similarities will grow, or if further similarities will drawn between Hester and other important historical figures.
The Scarlet Reader 