Essay Example on Alienation is a common theme in Literature

Alienation is a common theme in literature as it is often used to critique society Alienation is defined as the state of isolation or disconnect from the values norms practices and social relations of a society for a variety of social structural reasons Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter depicts a protagonist from Puritan society named Hester Prynne who is alienated from society for violating the societal beliefs Throughout The Scarlet Letter one can see Hawthorne's criticism toward the close minded harsh and judgmental characteristics of Puritan society The novel is set in the 17th century Boston and presents a town dominated by men and the principles of Puritan practices where strict religious beliefs are fused with the law The main character of the novel Hester Prynne is presented as a figure alienated from society as result of an adulterous affair which in Puritan society adultery or any kind of sexual sin was ostracized severely Hawthorne discusses how judgmental and cruel the Puritans were toward those who have sinned writing On the other hand a penalty which in our days would infer a degree of mocking or ridicule might then be invested with almost as stern dignity as the punishment of death itself Hawthorne 12 What Hawthorne is stating is that in the present Hester s sin wouldn't have been so disastrous Be that as it may the Puritans saw this as a consequential issue warranting death Luckily Hester wasn t sentenced to death but instead she is punished by being forced to wear the scarlet letter A on her dress for the rest of her life as a reminder of her sin While Hester s sin is the initial cause of her alienation Puritanical convictions sustain the void between Hester and community