Hester prynne's feminist stands in hawthorne's the scarlet letter (1850)‎

Abstract EN

The present article tackles the different aspects that convey feminist stands which demonstrate Hester Prynne (The protagonist of The Scarlet Letter) as a proto-feminist.

The Scarlet Letter is an abundant source for contemporary feminist studies.

Hawthorne – a nineteenth century male fiction writer-- has carefully chosen his female protagonist, Hester Prynne as a spokeswoman from the seventeenth century to pass on his feminist ideologies to his time-indefinite readers.

His choice of the male foil, the delicate Arthur Dimmesdale as a reverend Puritan minister to play the role of her co-sinner, is no less skilful as well.

As the androgynous Hester founds her personality on both genders' virtues, she represents a model for females to shape one's personality on.