The Scarlet Letter Essay: Stereotyping over the ages
In today's society you might hear words like emo,prep,jock, and loner. These are known as stereotypes. Stereotyping is based on a persons looks, hobbies, or reputation and is a big thing in high schools, business,and other gatherings of a variety of people. But did you know that it was also around in the times of The Scarlet Letter by: Nathaniel Hawthorne? The reason for this is more than likely due to his ancestor who wouldn't admit to his mistakes in the Salem Witch Craft Trials. The book shows how stereotyping is common but is not as correct as it seems. The Scarlet letter can be compared to the present times, and this is how.
Picture this: New people have come to a new town in a new high school. What do you think they look for first? More than likely somebody to socialize with. Most of the judgement of who they talk to is based on stereotyping them based on looks and who they hang out with. For all they know they could be finding a extremely great friend in another group with and interesting reputation. I noticed the same thing happened to Hester. When the people pass through town they gave her looks of pity and disgrace, just by a little letter on her chest. "The young and pure would be taught to look at her... as the figure, the body, the reality of sin." For all they know she could've changed since the letter was bestowed on her, but due to stereotyping they never bother to talk to her because they are worried about getting stereotyped also.
In addition to getting stereotyping by what you do, the people you hang out with or even your families mistakes play a big role in stereotyping. Something such as "Oh my gosh! He hangs out with a gay guy, so he must be gay too!" Is an example. I noticed that Pearl has to majorly overcome this type of stereotyping. The people treat Pearl as if she is her mother. "She never created a friend." "It was inexpressibly sad-then what depth of sorrow to a mother, who felt in her own heart the cause. " Pearl should be able to get her whole life to make her own reputation but instead people stereotype her and change her life for her. though this is a sad way to look at it, it is how human kind works. Everybody does it, and it hasn't changed over this many years.
Types of punishment might have changed but the over all stereotyping and secluding other people because of something that sets them apart has stayed the same. It might seem like it only happened recently due to the change in society. But next time think about Pearl and Hester from The Scarlet Letter.
In today's society you might hear words like emo,prep,jock, and loner. These are known as stereotypes. Stereotyping is based on a persons looks, hobbies, or reputation and is a big thing in high schools, business,and other gatherings of a variety of people. But did you know that it was also around in the times of The Scarlet Letter by: Nathaniel Hawthorne? The reason for this is more than likely due to his ancestor who wouldn't admit to his mistakes in the Salem Witch Craft Trials. The book shows how stereotyping is common but is not as correct as it seems. The Scarlet letter can be compared to the present times, and this is how.
Picture this: New people have come to a new town in a new high school. What do you think they look for first? More than likely somebody to socialize with. Most of the judgement of who they talk to is based on stereotyping them based on looks and who they hang out with. For all they know they could be finding a extremely great friend in another group with and interesting reputation. I noticed the same thing happened to Hester. When the people pass through town they gave her looks of pity and disgrace, just by a little letter on her chest. "The young and pure would be taught to look at her... as the figure, the body, the reality of sin." For all they know she could've changed since the letter was bestowed on her, but due to stereotyping they never bother to talk to her because they are worried about getting stereotyped also.
In addition to getting stereotyping by what you do, the people you hang out with or even your families mistakes play a big role in stereotyping. Something such as "Oh my gosh! He hangs out with a gay guy, so he must be gay too!" Is an example. I noticed that Pearl has to majorly overcome this type of stereotyping. The people treat Pearl as if she is her mother. "She never created a friend." "It was inexpressibly sad-then what depth of sorrow to a mother, who felt in her own heart the cause. " Pearl should be able to get her whole life to make her own reputation but instead people stereotype her and change her life for her. though this is a sad way to look at it, it is how human kind works. Everybody does it, and it hasn't changed over this many years.
Types of punishment might have changed but the over all stereotyping and secluding other people because of something that sets them apart has stayed the same. It might seem like it only happened recently due to the change in society. But next time think about Pearl and Hester from The Scarlet Letter.
1 comment:
Kelly,
Great job on maintaining your focus throughout your essay. I would like to see you add more to your conclusion. Summarize the main points. I really like the essay, and I think you did a great job connecting modern day experiences to Hester's experiences.
Mrs. T.
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