“A classic is a work which constantly generates a pulviscular cloud of critical discourse around it, but which always shakes the particles off.”
Meaning that the content of the novel holds multiple conventions that change over time but still have a place for discussion in the context of time. A classic piece of literature must be able to transcend the generations so the reader can make connections to their lives today. Therefore looking at other classics of this era, such as Uncle Tom's Cabin or The Narratives of Frederick Douglas abbreviate what types of issues and tribulations American society was going through during the 1850's. These alternative two novels deal heavily with the American Slave Trade moving towards the Civil Rights Movement. Similarities between all three of these novels is the main theme of suffrage, overcoming obstacles, the main character find themselves throughout the rising action of the plot.
The themes that are identifiable in The Scarlet Letter relate to the American feeling of the 19th century. Hawthorne deals with issues that could be ahead of his time, during this time The Civil War was starting between the north and south. In the years where race and slavery were the main concern of the American public, Hawthorne writes the Scarlet Letter where issues of overbearing religion not separated from law, fallen woman, and overt sexism. Was he looking to the future? After slavery ends is the next totem pole of political thought going to be equality for women? This novel may have been before its time in the context of history, but maybe that is what makes this novel pulviscular is that it was an insight into then modern day America through looking at micro chasm of the Puritan religion in the beginning of the colonies.
Overall this novel does qualify as a classic in the scheme of the world, however this novel is not devoutly an American Classic but a Classic in the broad scope of world literature. The reason that this novel is a classic, is because the types of issues and building action that take place in this novel are issues that are seen in various other world literature. The common themes of questioning religion, fighting through problems to find a resolve, and suffering are all themes seen in The Odyssey for example the original hero's journey. I would argue that Hester Prynne has taken the hero journey to the point that the "A" which is supposed to promote scorn and negative depictions of her character changes and the "A" by the end of the novel stands for symbol of pride, heroism, and has picked herself up as the fallen woman.
Another qualifying factor to why this novel is considered an American Classic is The Scarlet Letter has been taught in so many different levels of education around the United States, this novel is polarizing and it has to be a classic because people can identify within the constructs of the written language of the novel.
The themes that are identifiable in The Scarlet Letter relate to the American feeling of the 19th century. Hawthorne deals with issues that could be ahead of his time, during this time The Civil War was starting between the north and south. In the years where race and slavery were the main concern of the American public, Hawthorne writes the Scarlet Letter where issues of overbearing religion not separated from law, fallen woman, and overt sexism. Was he looking to the future? After slavery ends is the next totem pole of political thought going to be equality for women? This novel may have been before its time in the context of history, but maybe that is what makes this novel pulviscular is that it was an insight into then modern day America through looking at micro chasm of the Puritan religion in the beginning of the colonies.
Overall this novel does qualify as a classic in the scheme of the world, however this novel is not devoutly an American Classic but a Classic in the broad scope of world literature. The reason that this novel is a classic, is because the types of issues and building action that take place in this novel are issues that are seen in various other world literature. The common themes of questioning religion, fighting through problems to find a resolve, and suffering are all themes seen in The Odyssey for example the original hero's journey. I would argue that Hester Prynne has taken the hero journey to the point that the "A" which is supposed to promote scorn and negative depictions of her character changes and the "A" by the end of the novel stands for symbol of pride, heroism, and has picked herself up as the fallen woman.
Another qualifying factor to why this novel is considered an American Classic is The Scarlet Letter has been taught in so many different levels of education around the United States, this novel is polarizing and it has to be a classic because people can identify within the constructs of the written language of the novel.
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