- Cankaya University Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Vol: 11 Issue: 2
- The Scarlet Letter: Nature vs. Nurture
The Scarlet Letter: Nature vs. Nurture
Authors : Trenton Mckay Judson
Pages : 267-284
View : 7 | Download : 4
Publication Date : 2014-12-01
Article Type : Research
Abstract :The article focuses on the importance of place and how it informs the narrative in The Scarlet Letter. Each major place is considered: the town, the governor’s mansion, and the forest. Examining the characters of the novel and their response to nature and culture shows how they identify and react to their moral identity. The juxtaposition of characters like Pearl, Hester Prynne, Dimmesdale, Mr. Wilson, and their varied surroundings offers unique critical study. By looking at how we respond to place, we can come to a greater understanding of the contrast and comparison of nature versus culture and ultimately how we define each.Keywords : Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter, nature, nurture