Human Nature

One of my reasons for selecting the Scarlet Letter' for my CNS was that I knew a little about the plot from the movie, 'Easy A'. Because I enjoyed the movie, I was hopeful that I would enjoy the book. After comparing them, however, I found that there are more differences than similarities between the two.


I found that the main differences are in human nature itself. The way the townspeople take the news that Hester committed adultery is completely different from how the scandal would be responded to now. In fact, if the exact same thing happened today, it would barely even be considered adultery! Times have changed so much, and this has helped me appreciate why the Scarlet Letter is a classic.

The townspeople noticed that "by degrees, nor very slowly, her handiwork became what would now be termed the fashion….But it is not recorded that, in a single instance, her skill was called in aid to embroider the white veil which was to cover the pure blushes of a bride. The exception indicated the ever relentless vigor with which society frowned upon her sin."(5.6)  The author's details, like those included in this quote, helped me to understand the idea of how society treated Hester. Although the feelings of society were expressed differently, Olive received similar treatment, such as having everybody, male and female,  publicly antagonizing her every day.

Despite the fact that the movie and my classic novel are very different, there is one very obvious similarity; both the main characters are women. My connection is that not only has what is considered socially acceptable changed, but the roles of women have as well. Everybody knows that society has come a long way in the last 100 years with considering males and females equal, but my comparison between the two main characters was eye opening. The way society responds to Hester's misdemeanor and the way they respond to Olive's is strangely similar. Their offenses are different, but they both become outcasts in their worlds, and they get stuck in situations they didn't mean to get themselves into.


The similarities stop there, and each story ends with opposite results. Olive has a happy resolution, thanks to the more forgiving time period, and Hester has a tragic one.
Comparing the two contrasting plots has helped me to see the differences in human nature over 100 years, and, once again, show me why the Scarlet Letter is a classic novel.