Saturday, September 7, 2019
The Childhood section of Dubliners Essay Example for Free
The Childhood section of Dubliners Essay From your reading of the two stories in the Childhood section of Dubliners how is the encounter between different generations portrayed and what do you think is its role? The stories An Encounter and Sisters contain objective viewpoints about the older generation, and are told from the perspective of a young boy. There is the implication in both stories that the older generation is associated with religion which plays a paralysing role in the society of Dublin. The role of the encounter between the different age groups demonstrates the conflict of belief that occurs between young children growing up, forming their own opinions and beliefs, and their elders, who are trying to impress attitudes and traditions on them that seem unnatural to them. There is a suggestion that its role is also representative of the turmoil which Catholic Ireland found itself in during this period. The young boy, from whose perspective we see the elder generation, does not appear to hold the respect he ought to for his elders. In Sisters, the child feels bored by Old Cotter due to his endless talk about the distillery. The presence of Old Cotter and also that of the strange man in An Encounter are seen as equally undesirable by the narrator, and both are referred to in derogatory terms: Old Cotter as a tiresome old fool, and the nameless man by Mahony as a queer old josser. The children feel that they have no need for these men in their lives and it is significant that the word josser is slang meaning priest, exemplifying the disregard the boys feel towards a religion that has been imposed upon them. In addition to these two characters, in An Encounter Father Butler is a primary reason for the desire the boys feel for escape from the rebuke during the sober hours. Father Butler clearly has close connection with religion and their dislike of him once more is representative of the hostility the boys feel towards Catholicism and its effect on Dublin. The character of Father Flynn possesses a didactic role over the young boy, and we are told he taught [him] a great deal. Whether this teaching was desired by or imposed upon the narrator is not made clear but it is apparent that the priest instilled a certain amount of trepidation and awe, as well as admiration, in the boy, due to the adjectives used to describe his appearance, ancient, truculent, grey and massive, with black cavernous nostrils. The priests description is symbolic of the way in which the narrator feels about religion; one of the main roles that the encounter with the elder generation plays. The colours described are dark and intimidating, the atmosphere in his room was smoke-filled and one of lethargy, just as religion would have seemed harsh, restrictive and uninspiring. The man in An Encounter, also representing religion does not give a good impression of this central aspect of Irish society, he is perverted and contradictory in his words, he seemed to have forgotten his recent liberalismhe would whip a boy he would love that. One role of this encounter is to demonstrate the confusion that the boy feels about religion, before his eyes he sees contradiction in a religious figure, perverted and unnerving contradiction at that, which can only serve to add yet more doubt to his wavering faith. In both scenarios the narrator feels relieved when he escapes his elders whom he finds unnerving, indeed the epiphany in Sisters is the moment where he realises that he feels a sensation of freedomby his death. In the same way in An Encounter the boy seizes the first available moment to escape from the strange man, I stood up abruptlysaying that I was obliged to go. There is an urgency to get away from these mysterious characters although this is not apparent to the boy in the context of Father Flynn until he is involuntarily released by his death. Strangely, in the two stories the child feels an affinity to the elder generation and thus there is a sense of guilt due to the relief he experiences when they are absent. In Sisters the boy definitely admires the priest and despite feeling entrapped and paralysed by the religious implications attached to his role in society, there is also a certain empathy he feels towards him. The duties of the priesthood were too much for [Father Flynn] and smothered him, just as the requirements the boy must conform to in terms of religion are too demanding on his confused and inquisitive mind. In An Encounter the sense of empathy appears at the epiphany of the story, where the narrator realises that, like the man, he had always despised [Mahony] a little. This sudden, unexpected revelation that has been brought about by the unsettling words of the man demonstrates that the role of the older generation in this scenario has been to help the boy be true to himself and admit his own beliefs, which may inadvertently help him to accept his true religious feelings. The language and sentence structure used in Sisters helps to emphasise the generation gap perceived by the reader, words such as endless which imply the length of Old Cotters life as well as his boring talk, the threatening words that indicate the unapproachable appearance of Father Flynn due to his age and social significance, blackened, solemn and copious. Where the narrator describes how Father Flynn impressed his knowledge upon him, he lists the topics that he was taught, which shows not only the amount of subjects the two covered, but also symbolises the sheer length and content of the priests long life. The encounters used by Joyce in these two stories play conflicting roles, and contradiction is evident even within the same story; the boy describes a sense of anxiety to escape from his elders, yet expresses guilt at these feelings. He feels trapped by religion, yet sympathises with a priest about the constraints it makes on society, surprising as such a figure should be the embodiment of the restriction he finds it hard to abide by. The distance expressed both in terms of age and in opinion shows how the boy feels controlled by a generation he cannot relate to. This conveys a sense of paralysis affecting the younger generation of Ireland, a generation controlled by its elders and their religion, a religion which controls rather than directs its pupils. The encounters that make up such an important part of the two stories serve to demonstrate the alienation the children of Ireland feel towards their elders and their social situation: there simply is not the same strength of feeling towards religion in their lives, an empowering force on their lives and in Dublin.
Friday, September 6, 2019
Edgar Allan Poe and James Russell Lowell Essay Example for Free
Edgar Allan Poe and James Russell Lowell Essay James Russell Lowell and John Greenleaf Whittier were poets during the Romantic era. In that time, poets often wrote about humansââ¬â¢ relationship with nature. Romantics considered contact with nature as almost a religious experience. Lowellââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"The First Snowfallâ⬠and Whittierââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"Snowboundâ⬠can be explored through theme, tone, and figurative language. ââ¬Å"The First Snowfallâ⬠and ââ¬Å"Snowboundâ⬠share the obvious, similar theme, snow. Lowell writes, ââ¬Å"The snow had begun in the gloamingâ⬠(Line 1). This is the beginning of the poem where heââ¬â¢s introducing the subject of snow and describing the simple experience of the first snowfall. Whittier writes, ââ¬Å"The coming of the snowstorm toldâ⬠(14). He also writes about snow, but describes a frightful, winter snowstorm, rather than a simple snowfall. Lowellââ¬â¢s and Whittierââ¬â¢s poems differ in tones. James Russell Lowell has an optimistic point of view toward the natural event, but the tone he uses is gloomy. ââ¬Å"Again I looked at the snowfall and thought of the leaden skyâ⬠(25-26). Lowell is comparing the falling of snow to the mourning process of his daughter. Whittier is more depressed by the storm. He describes the snow as, ââ¬Å"A hard, dull bitterness of coldâ⬠(11). Later, Whittier learns to accept the storm and writes about sitting and laughing by the fireplace with his family. Both poets use a variety of figurative language in their poems. Lowell uses a simile to describe the birds he sees outside his window flying through the snowfall. ââ¬Å"And the sudden flurries of snow-birds, like brown leaves whirling byâ⬠(15-16). Whittier also uses a simile to describe what he observes outside his window. ââ¬Å"And through the glass the clothesline posts looked in like tall and sheeted ghostsâ⬠(39-40). As shown, these two poems can be compared and contrasted through theme, tone, and figurative language. In the way the poets write, we can see their reactions to the snow. Even though they both wrote about snow, they didnââ¬â¢t approach the topic in the same way. Lowell and Whittier both lived in the Romantic era but lived different lifestyles, which affected how they saw events and formed the style of their poetry.
Thursday, September 5, 2019
Can Child Toys Create Problems?
Can Child Toys Create Problems? Every child has a favorite toy bought or custom made by parents or older siblings, if that is not the case a replica from the available objects in a childs environment. Traditionally toys such as dolls were made from clay, wood or wax, airplanes from paper and cars from malleable cable. All these were materials could be obtained from nature or the environment easily. However, all this has changed with post-modernity and urbanity. With post-modernity comes capitalism, which has industries invent products that will fetch huge sums of money from the populace. Artificial substance has seen its way in production of ample toys to cater for the increasing demand. Technology has also found its way into the childrens objects, as they are available with real movement and voice hence making them popular for children. Toys are important in children growth and very dear to them a reason they clutch to them at all times. In addition, parents in a bid to provide sufficiently for their children invest heavily on toys to make their children happy. Nevertheless, the very toys parents rush to in stores to keep up with the latest fad can be harmful to children. Children develop physically, socially and emotionally. Childhood helps determine character for an adult. An adult with a questionable character must have acquired it in childhood. This happens when parents overwhelm their children with toys that create social and emotional problems. The twentieth and twenty-first centuries present the world with postmodernism, which has families living in cities. Cities, unlike the rural areas have limited playing fields owing to the fact that developers are always coming up with commercial buildings. Similarly, cities are full of activity on the outdoor therefore making it unsafe for children to play. Pollution, unsafe road usage by drivers and crimes such as kidnapping make it difficult for parents to let their children out for play. These circumstances of city life have contributed to the popularity of modern toys, which according to Goldstein are efforts to curb bodily harm. Recreation activities for children move inside the house a thing that has led to the growth of technological toys. These toys allow for private recreational activities (5). In the past, without the hustles and bustles of city life children could enjoy play with friends an alien occurrence for todays children who live in isolation. Isolation of children n ot only impedes speech but also makes the child to be timid unlike children who play outdoors (Liz Hollis, The Guardian 16). Such children never learn the value of sharing by interacting with other children. Toys not only serve the purpose of enjoyment but also education. However, some of the toys chosen may impede originality and thoughts. Television as an object of entertainment has children glued to the screen passively watching the creativity of others rather than manufacturing their own fun (Cambre and Hawkes 13). This has the effect of children not thinking on their own and having the television dictate their thoughts. Therefore, the teachers have a difficult time in teaching such children. Computers and computer games also give the same effects of lack of originality. Parents on the other hand, feel pressurized by advertisers to invest in electronic toys that according to Lucy Ward are not specifically advantageous in education (The Guardian). Parents who just buy toys because they are on sale instead of looking for the benefits they bring to a child is an impulse buyer and may pass on the value of extravagance to the child. In addition a customer society is created by television which advertises for toy companies. Parents are held culprits of responding to each technological innovation in order to please their children. Similarly, computers as toys render the children to attend to obscene material through the internet. This is because parents leave their children in the refuge of toys as they are busy earning a living. Consequently, children fall culprits of unlawful dealings such as child trafficking, abuse, child pornography, theft and abduction. This is because chi ldren are inexperienced in the proper use of the internet. Other toys such as guns and dolls have effects on behavior and emotions. Cambre and Hawkes argue that, research over the course of many years à ¢Ã¢â ¬Ã ¦has shown aggressive play can and sometimes does lead to violent behavior (18). This could only mean that any time a parent buys a toy gun for his/her child there is a possibility that the child at some point will exhibit brutality. Other traits such as despair and compulsion to drug abuse also emanate. Similarly, dolls shape the dreams of young girls who would want to be petite and attractive as seen in Barbie the doll (Cambre and Hawkes 17). Consequently, children will abstain from eating to maintain a slim body figure. This also explains why teenagers suffer from disorders such as anorexia. Girls inspired by the Barbie doll will obviously suffer from low self-esteem should their body size increase. On the other hand, children form inactivity from watching television and playing computerized games, such children can become obese. This is due to the fact they have no activity that bring them to physical exercise all they do is eat, sit, be simulated and not think. The other social problem presented by toys has to do with stereotype of gender roles. Girls often have toys with a kitchen setting or dolls, which they nurture while the boys have cars, shooting video games or racing cars. These stereotypes also affect careers where girls believe they should be homemakers while boys explore in fields that require masculinity and aggression. Feminists argue that gender-free play is essential if girls are to grow up realizing they can pursue any career they choose in adult life and if boys are to realize that making a home is a shared endeavor (Goldstein 21). This therefore calls for parents to buy their children a variety of toys to enable them to experience different gender roles. The divide on gender roles is not the only accomplishment as toys also bring about a class divide of the haves and the have-nots (Cambre and Hawkes 21). Rich parents can always spoil their children into having any fad toy while struggling parents will have their children possessing old and broken toys because they do not have the money to move with the trends. The divide is visible when children bring their toys to school and this may contribute to low self-esteem in children who do not have trendy toys. According Donahoo, parents with autistic children are in pains to get money to invest in an ipads to aid in development of their children even though the gadgets do not work to provide development (Wired Magazine). This clearly shows that the technological toys are not items that every parent can afford. Children whose parents cannot afford will have to make use of alternative development techniques. Unlike in the past where a child held a single toy dearly because it took a lot of energy and material to make one. Today children have toys spilling all over the house. Once it gets broken, it can always be replaced. In fact, a child can intentionally destroy one in order to get a new and trendier one. Such children make up for the adults who are money-oriented (Goldstein 21). These children may grow to despise children from poor families. The problems caused by modern toys are mostly social in nature and very few are emotional. Other problems created by toys are pollution. The artificial material making the toys mainly plastic cannot decompose. Therefore, when disposed on to land the soil does not aerate properly hence making it not suitable for cultivation. In addition, materials manufacturing toys and the wonderful colors used on them could be harmful for ingestion. Parents should pay caution when making purchase to ensure the material and paint are not harmful. Every technological progression comes with both advantages and disadvantages. Childrens toys are one such advancement that we should embrace as well as scrutinize to ensure that the children are learning while having fun. To counter for the social, emotional and environmental problems caused by childrens toys parents must take an active in being present during play. This is in order to encourage creativity and imagination, which lacks in the use of modern toys. Children should also be encourage to play outdoors where they play while enjoying nature and learning about it. For example, a visit to the parks will not only help children to interact with others but also creative play can come up such as hide and seek. Children also need assurance from parents on their uniqueness in form and character hence they will avoid falling prey into the internet evils of sexual abuse. Furthermore, their self worth should be defined by parents assurances instead of toys. Children should be encouraged to read or read to stories as reading makes the mind active in imagination. Play should not a whole day without a break as this will help the child think of the next activity in plan hence making the mind active. Modern toys are result of continued advertising from televisions that make parents attend to the messages and heed to them without questioning the impact involved. The television continues to play its role perfectly at the expense of innocent children. It is therefore the obligation of every parent to make sound judgment when buying the next fad toy in the market. The parent should also practice using it to find out what impacts is had on him/her before releasing it to the vulnerable child. Toys should be bought according to age to ensure that the specific needs of the child are met. Parents should in addition invest in a few toys to test how that effects on the child and thereby prepare the child for the eventualities of life. Finally, the culture of homemade toys should be renewed to allow for creativity. Clay is fun to work with and it will have children making their own designs that describe the world as they see it.
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
From Homerââ¬â¢s Odyssey to Star Wars - The Unchanging Path of the Hero Ess
From Homerââ¬â¢s Odyssey to Star Wars - The Unchanging Path of the Hero In the fiction world heroes have been one of the most entertaining figures. It has always been fun and interesting to read about heroic stories and about different obstacles that heroes had overcome. When someone mentions the word "hero" it is more likely to think of characters like Batman or James Bond, but it is for sure that if we had the chance to ask the same question centuries before, the answer would have been different. From comics or TV it is seen that heroes change physically and spiritually through time, but the heroic pattern stays always the same when moving from ancient times to today's heroes. The first hero whose pattern I am going to unfold is Oedipus. Just like all other heroes he lives an extraordinary experience which normal people would not live, and that is one of the reasons that the heroic pattern seems so appealing to people. People could read and think about the situations that would not happen in their life, and the situations which people would be interested to know about. Going back to the topic, it has been foreseen that he is going to kill his father and marry with his mother. In the story these events come true and Oedipus becomes the new King, but the gods of the city curses him and his city. After realizing his sin, he sacrifices his eyes and blinds himself Oedipus contains courage, strength and he makes the journey that most of the heroes go through. However it is not clearly visible as modem heroes and it carries more of a symbolic tissue. With information told by a fortuneteller his parents believe that Oedipus is going to kill them, so they decide to take in action before Oedipus and try to kill him. Oedipus escapes by... ...attern could change but there is a heroic pattern that always stays the same. Works Cited Star Wars, A New Hope George Lucas, Gary Kurtz. Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher. Science‑ Fiction, 1977 Star Wars, the Empire Strikes Back George Lucas, Irvin Kershner. Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher. Science‑ Fiction, 1980 Star Wars, the Return of the jedi George Lucas, Richard Marquand. Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher. Science‑ Fiction, 1983 Batman Tim Burton. Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger. Science‑Fiction, Fantasy, 1989 James Bond, Goldfinger Guy Hamilton. Sean Connery, Honor Blackman. Action, 1964 Green, Roger Lancelyn. Heroes of Greece and Troy, retold from ancient authors. New York: H.Z Walck, 1961 Hendricks, Rhoda A. Classical Gods and Heroes. New York: Ungar Pubs Co., 1972
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
The Benefits of Implementing Talking Circles in the Classroom Essay
I spent my volunteer experience with Dr. Geisââ¬â¢ special needs classroom at County Elementary School; and throughout my participation, the most defining observation was that of the teachers and staff members. Naturally, some employees are better than others at fulfilling tasks. However, as time passed, I noticed that certain employees had difficulty starting each day fresh, free of the pressure and tension that may have accumulated from the previous day. I only volunteered a couple of times a week so my ability to wipe the slate clean was easier. Nevertheless, I can understand how taxing and repetitive the process can be for the full length of a school year. According to the National Commission on Teaching about, ââ¬Å"one-third of all new teachers leave after three years, and 46 percent are gone within five yearsâ⬠(Kopkowski). The relatively high attrition rate of teachers is known as teacher burnout. Teacher burnout can be attributed to both physical and emotional facto rs which may include, ââ¬Å"classroom disruptions, inadequate salaries, oversized classes, overbearing parents, excessive paperwork, cutbacks in supplies or materials, threats, harassment, assaults, violence, or problems with co-workers or with administratorsâ⬠(Campbell). The National Commission on Teaching estimates costs up to, ââ¬Å"$7 billion a year, as districts and states recruit, hire, and try to retain new teachersâ⬠(Kopkowski). Teacher burnout is financially and socially affecting schools, communities, and society. The purpose of this paper is to identify factors that may lead to teacher burnout, acknowledge the effects of the issue, and provide solutions to better manage the stress of teaching. In The Relationship Between Student Behaviour Patterns and Teacher Burnout... ...y. 2014. Clear, Todd R. Imprisoning Communities. 1st ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007. Print. Clifford, Amos. Teaching Restorative Practices With Classroom Circles. 1st ed. 2013. Print. Glassman, Bernard, and Rick Fields. Instructions To The Cook. 1st ed. New York: Bell Tower, 1996. Print. Hastings, Richard P, and Mohammed S Bham. 'The Relationship Between Student Behaviour Patterns And Teacher Burnout'. School Psychology International 24.1 (2003): 115--127. Print. Kopkowski, Cynthia. 'Why They Leave'. NEA. N. p., 2014. Web. 2 May. 2014. Mindgarden.com,. 'Maslach Burnout Inventory By Christina Maslach, Susan E. Jackson, Michael P. Leiter, Wilmar B. Schaufeli, Richard L. Schwab - Mind Garden, Inc.'. N. p., 2014. Web. 2 May. 2014. Pranis, Kay, Barry Stuart, and Mark Wedge. Peacemaking Circles. 1st ed. St. Paul, Minn.: Living Justice Press, 2003. Print.
Monday, September 2, 2019
An Analysis of Thucydides Views on the Melian Dialogue Essay -- Ancie
An Analysis of Thucydides' Views on the Melian Dialogue The Melian Dialogue is a debate between Melian and Athenian representatives concerning the sovereignty of Melos. The debate did not really occur-the arguments given by each side were of Thucydides own creation. Thus it is reasonable to assume that we can tease out Thucydides' own beliefs. In this paper, I will first extract Thucydides views from the Melian Dialogue and then analyze whether or not these views are well founded. Thucydides believed that the Athenians had the stronger argument. Proof of this lies in the way Thucydides picked the arguments for each side. For the moment, we will disregard the actual content of the arguments, and look at argumentation forms and the flow of the debate. The Melians argued using consequences of an Athenian take over. In section 110, the Melians threatened that if their allies the Lacedaemonians were provoked by the takeover of Melos, they might attack Athens itself: "...the Cretan sea is a large place; and the masters of the sea will have more difficulty in overtaking vessels which want to escape than the pursued in escaping. If the attempt should fail they may invade Attica itself, and find their way to allies of yours whom Brasidas did not reach: and then you will have to fight, not for the conquest of a land in which you have no concern, but nearer home, for the preservation of your confederacy and of your own territory." In addition, the Melians complained that they would be thought of as cowards if they surrendered, and they warned the Athenians that hostility would turn other neutral city-states against them. The Melians offered mere speculation. Their arguments sound like the work of a weak and desperate g... ...ust have had more of the things that the gods cared about. The Melians would have been hard pressed to argue that they had more favor amongst the gods than the Athenians, because anything of virtue that they could claim to have had, the Athenians could claimed to have had but more or better. The Melian argument then that they were favored by the gods and therefore must remain free is inconsistent. If Athens and Melos went to battle against each other, the gods, if they favored anyone, would favor Athens. We have now examined Thucydides' strongest arguments for Athenian rule. It is clear that Athens had a stronger claim to rule than the Melians had to remain sovereign. We also know that Athens' claims hold up when we examine them for validity. Thucydides beliefs in Athens' claims were therefore well founded. Works Cited: The Melian Dialogue, Thucydides
Sunday, September 1, 2019
No one person is perfect Essay
No one person is perfect. Mistakes, just like water, are an essential part of life. Itââ¬â¢s not for our faults that we should be judged; rather itââ¬â¢s the way we learn to accept our human nature and change for the better. In Nathaniel Hawthorneââ¬â¢s Puritanical novel, The Scarlet Letter, the main character, Hester Prynne, commits an offense of infidelity against her husband, Roger Chillingworth. From then on her secret affair with the Puritan minister will always be on her mind considering the degradation she was subjected to and the infamous letter that will be forever embedded on her bosom and her child Pearl ââ¬â the fruit of her sin. Hester was a woman that was well ahead of her time; she displayed the traits of being courageous while being passionate and independent. An attribute that takes someone to be courageous, passionate and independent is strength, which is required for one to endure. These were traits that were uncommon for a woman to possess during the time when Hawthorne wrote this novel, but even more unusual to find in a woman who was convicted of committing adultery. Hester Prynne displays her trait of courage and passion when she stands up to Governor Bellingham. Bellingham and his assistants confront her custody of her daughter Pearl because they think it would be better for Pearl to be raised in a more Christian-like household. But Hester, being bold and strong, stands up and responds, ââ¬Å"I can teach my little Pearl what I have learned from this,â⬠(107) referring to the scarlet letter. Bellingham then follows by indicating that the letter is precisely the reason for wanting Pearl to be removed from her care. This is a remarkable scene, where it is rare to see an aberrant adulterous woman speak up for herself to a person of much higher authority. But, eventually Arthur Dimmesdale, Pearlââ¬â¢s unidentified father, preaches on Hesterââ¬â¢s behalf and persuades Bellingham to permit Hester continue her care. Early in the novel, Hawthorne explains that Hester was forced into a marriage to a man she did not truly love, and after being separated for a long amount of time, she became attracted to another man. Then later, she became a victim of a crime, which she was severely punished, despite the fact thatà she could only be accountable for half of the incident. Hester was much stronger and more courageous than her partner in adultery. Arthur Dimmesdale her secret lover was a minister in a Puritan church, who hides his sin from his congregation in order to maintain his reputation. He tells Hester, ââ¬Å"happy for you Hester that wear the scarlet letter openly upon your bosom! Mine burns in secret (177).â⬠Meanwhile Hester had enough audacity to stand alone with out a known partner in crime. She respected Arthurââ¬â¢s decision to stay silent without a word against him. Yet Hester accepted the consequence that came along with committing adultery. While learning to live life after the embarrassment she went through at the scaffold and the life long punishment of having to wear the embedded letter ââ¬Å"Aâ⬠on her chest. That scarlet letter made her stronger, and a woman to be later admired from her Puritan counterparts. In the early chapters of this story, Hesterââ¬â¢s social life was virtually eliminated as a result of her shameful history. Knowing that all she had after she walked out of the prison door was her letter on her chest and beloved daughter Pearl by her side. She brought home her income by working as the town seamstress. Hester devoted the remainder of her time for creating garments for the poor. Overlooking the fact that they treat her badly in spite of her good intentions. She was even the object of ridicule to young children who crept up to her house to spy on her. But through the seven years since she had Pearl, Hesterââ¬â¢s reputation changed. She was a woman full of passion for the needy and everyone else who befriended her. If asked about the woman with badge, strangers would respond, ââ¬Å"â⬠¦the townââ¬â¢s own Hester, who is so kind to the poor, so helpful to the sick, so comforting to the afflicted! (159)â⬠Hawthorne goes as far to state that, ââ¬Å"the scarlet letter had the effect of the cross on a nunââ¬â¢s bosom.â⬠This effect gave her practically access into every home. The ââ¬Å"Aâ⬠which formerly stood for ââ¬Å"Adultery,â⬠took on another meaning to the townspeople, to them it meant ââ¬Å"Ableâ⬠(158). For Hester to change her faà §ade from an adulterous woman to a woman everyone loved. Hesterââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"badge of shame,â⬠made her a stronger person. The symbol made herà stronger because she had to walk through town being harassed by the inhabitants of Boston. Yet, Hester wore the letter with pride and courage that it would not get her down and she did live her life in solitude but yet transformed it in to being a successful seamstress which provided support for her and Pearl. From the appearance of it she turned a demeaning scarlet letter into a well-tailored accessory by embroidering it with gold thread. Hester was also aware that her sin was immoral, but by being open about it she was able to become a stronger person. Hester proved that by repenting and repelling sin, it is capable of making one stronger. Hester was truly an ââ¬Å"Ableâ⬠woman.
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