The Scarlet Letter - Feminism

The Scarlet Letter

Feminism

"He who would be free must strike the first blow."

Frederick Douglass

Several cultures of the world view women as being unequal to men. Feminism is defined by many people as a collection of social theories, political movements, and moral philosophies concerned with the liberation of women. Women were looked down upon by men in many cultures of the past, and they are still treated differently by men. Despite their position in society, men should not be treated better than women. Many feminists are concerned with what they believe to be the social, political and economic inequality between the sexes which favors male gender. The unfair treatment of women, and the false perception of women being inferior to men should be unlawful, and equality should prevail.

It would be reasonable to say that feminism existed as long as there have been women. It is certainly unfair that women are mistreated by society and the world. A famous American civil rights leader, Susan B. Anthony had fought for the equality of women, contributing to this topic. Susan B. Anthony once said, "We ask justice, we ask equality, we ask that all civil and political rights that belong to the citizens of the United States be guaranteed to us and our daughters forever." Many other feminists have fought against the world. They brought up the same points, and all of the feminists aimed for the same goal: equality for all. It is true that women should be entitled to equal rights and respect. This is not true in the present day world and society. Women are mistreated and abused in many societies, by many people. Women fight for freedom and equality, to be on the same level as men. They have a dream, but the dream gets pushed back by the opposing views men.

The Scarlet Letter significantly emphasizes the struggles of a women and society. Hester Prynne, a woman who was punished for adultery, symbolizes feminism of the world. Although the book was written about the Puritans, who existed during the 16th and the 17th centuries, the book shows the problems which still exist in the present day society. The Puritan life was different from the life of the people today. Public discipline and punishment were used to discourage everyone else from committing the same crime or sin as the offending "criminal" did. But were the people too cruel against women? Hester Prynne was punished publicly, and disgraced before the people of her town. Hester Prynne should have the right to be a feminist, and fight for the equality of women.

The punishment that was given to Hester was to wear the scarlet letter on her breast. This punishment pushes her to the limits, and tests her abilities. It was meant to punish her, and to disgrace her in front of every person of the town, but it did the opposite. It made her go farther than she could before. She did not stop, she did not quite. Even at the start, she decorated her "A" with red and gold threads. She was a rebel, which changed her punishment. Hester is herself a feminist, as she goes against