Primitive Strength in Hawthorne’s Women

Primitive Strength in Hawthorne’s Women Chrstine Herzog

A Reminder • No need to give chapter title if you are citing a book written by one single author

Background Information • The western cultural tradition of binary opposition and its implied hierarchy • The feminists’ critique/ subversion of such opposition a) negating biological determinism b) Replacing hierarchy with difference c) laying bare the effect wrought by cultural construction d) performance theory

The Central Idea The opposition between women and men in Hawthorne’s works

Thesis Statement (Reversing Value Hierarchy in Traditional Binary Opposition) • The primitive vitality of many of Hawthorne’s women is frequently symbolized by their association with Oriental, Mediterranean, Indian or other exotic elements, but it is also portrayed indirectly by contrasting the women with idealistic, Faustian, science-possessed men who wield unnatural power over them and reject woman’s earthiness.

General Outline: Illustration by Various Works • “The New Adam and Eve” • “The Birth Mark” and “Rappaccini’s Daughter” • The Scarlet Letter

I. “The New Adam and Eve” • Intellectualism is related to sin and decay: • The distinctive nature of man and woman 1) man: intellect 2) woman: nature, tenderness and moral sense

II. “The Birth Mark” and “Rappaccini’s Daughter” • Male Characters: 1) Aylmer and Rappaccini ---A) striving for ultimate control over nature ---B) scientific deviltry 2) The other male characters ---A) Baglione’s jealous hatred ---B) Giovanni’s poisonous mistrust ---C) Aminadab: the savagery under the guise of science

II. “The Birth Mark” and “Rappaccini’s Daughter” 2. Female Characters and their characteristics 1) Georgiana: ---A) birth mark as a symbol of life-force ---B) the stronger person when facing death ---C) Georgiana as an Eve of Power: open and frank 2) Beatrice: with more complex power ---A) love and trust: fountain vs. artificial shrub ---B) the warm integrity of Beatrice

II. “The Birth Mark” and “Rappaccini’s Daughter” 3. The contrast between women and men 1) heart vs. brain 2) instinctual, primitive forces (women’s life-giving forces) vs. Faustian intellectual

III. The Scarlet Letter: Aboriginal and Awesome • Hester as a symbol of the Other that threatens the Puritan community 1) Hester’s emergence from the prison 2) The primitive forest 3) Pearl 2. Ambivalence: the image of Divine Maternity as a contrast to the threatening Other 3. Conclusion: Romantic primitivism tampered by suffering and faith

1) Hester’s emergence from the prison • Wildness and passion in Hester’s character: a) the aboriginal b) the alien/ exotic c) rich, voluptuous—the Oriental

2) The primitive forest • Moral wilderness • Outlaw existence • Impulsive and passionate • Natural dignity • Combative energy • Never subjugated by human law

3) Pearl: The Most Splendid Image for Hester’s nature • The “demon-offspring” in Puritans’ eyes • Combining native audacity with the reserve • Part of nature: April breeze, brook nymph-child • Pearl’s garment: looking as exotic as “a wild tropical bird”

2. The image of Divine Maternity • The flood of sunshine in the forest: redeeming and healing love • Pearl: image of love and liberation • Hester: ---A. a Mary figure, divine mother, sister of Mercy, nun, saint, angel prophetess, martyr ---B. The letter A: adulteress, angel of mercy

3.Conclusion: Romantic primitivism tampered by suffering and faith • The Central symbol: the scaffold 1) shame vs. elevation 2) human vs. divine law 2. Hester as a White Indian 1) knowledge vs. sexual power 2) awesome power of commitment vs. aboriginal freedom 3) an example of new American Eve: she builds community instead of destroying it

Primitive Strength in Hawthorne’s Women