Analysis of Motherhood Representation in American Literature (ENG101)

This essay delves into the representation of women in American literature, focusing on the portrayal of motherhood in Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" and Emily Dickinson's poem "Before I got my eye put out." The essay examines how these works depict themes of courage, strength, and the complexities of motherhood, particularly within the context of the 19th and 20th centuries. It explores the characteristics associated with motherhood, such as love, devotion, and resilience, using Hester Prynne as a prime example of a strong, self-sufficient mother. The analysis also highlights the societal constraints faced by women during this period and how they navigated adversity. The essay concludes by emphasizing the enduring qualities of motherhood and the strength of women in overcoming challenges, as illustrated through the chosen literary works.

English Literature (Mad, Sad and Bad:
Woman in American Literature)

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Representation of Motherhood....................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Analysing the facts and figures of stories and poems helps individual to understand its
essence to the core. The report makes thorough discussion regarding the condition of women in
nineteenth and twentieth century in America. To understand this aspect in well-defined manner,
one long story has been chosen, that is, “The Scarlet letter” written by Nathaniel Hawthorne
which reflects different aspects of women including, courage strength and love for child.
Another poem has been chosen, that is “Before I got my eye put out”, which is written by Emily
Dickinson. The report will make comprehensive discussion regarding representation of
motherhood. The relationship of nature of women and strength will also be discussed in the
report (Hawthorne).
Representation of Motherhood
Motherhood is a state or experience of having or raising a child. It has nothing to do with
giving birth but the qualities possessed by a female for others in her makes her experience the
feeling of motherhood. The undying love and devotion of a women towards her child is also
considered to be common aspects of being a mother. Other characteristics hold by the women
that can be called as a mother are, humanity, patience, tolerance, perseverance, understanding,
trust, loyalty, forgiveness, adaptive to the change in environment, determination, protective
nature etc (Plath).
The central character of “The Scarlet letter”, that is, Hester, ran from her territory so as to
preserve her daughter from any negativity. It reflects the determination and courage of the
mother towards her child. It also remains fit with the other characteristics of motherhood as well.
It is undying love for her child has been shown remarkably brilliant in this story. She represented
a courageous and self-sufficient single mother (Watling). Even when she was prisoned for three
months, she kept herself with her daughter all the time. She took all the measures so that she can
protect her daughter from bad effects of the prison. It shows her protective nature and concern
that her child remains safe. She tries to inculcate everything in the nature of her daughter that can
keep her away from every sin. Hence, it can be assessed that Hester is a good representation of
motherhood qualities that are inculcated in her and can very well be ascertained while reading
the story as well.
The characteristics of a mother is also very well depicted in the poem, “Before I got my
eye put out” The courage and determination that has been seen in the girl even after suffering
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from a deadly disease is unimaginable. The character is shows that even if her eyes are blurring
and have already lost the eye sight for one eye, her imagination for beautiful world have not
reduced. She has taken this fact in the positive manner. Hence, it can be assessed that the quality
of mother is present in Emily as well. She can be a clear representation to motherhood.
There is a strong connection of nature of the women and her representation of strength. She
is considered to be a vital creator and maintenance of lives. The strength and nourishment nature
carried in her nature is incomparable. The text written by Nathaniel Hawthorne stated
represented the central character of the story as a strong personality full of hope and fear. Hester
Prynne, the female introduced in the story escaped from her territory with her child named Pearl.
It depicts the condition of women in the past centuries where women were restricted from all the
rights and freedoms (Miller). They were also unfairly judged at that period. Moreover, they were
forced to come into physical relationship. The divine strength and love for child has been
represented which can metaphorically compared to the love that nature showers on people living
on the earth.
Analysing the poem “Before I got my eye put out”, which has been written by very
ambitious Emily Dickinson, she stated that the nature may not be seen with the eyes on as the
universe is large which makes it impossible for anybody to go through it in a short life span.
However, imagination is the only measure through which this aspect of life is possible. The
characteristics of women is compared with that of nature. The poet stated that even after losing
an eye, the expectation and imagination is not lost. The ability and strength of a women is
depicted in effective manner. The joyous nature can be imagined even if an eye is lost. It shows
that courage and ambitious character of the poet which is also present in nature and environment
in the same manner.
The central character of scarlet letter has been reflected empowering for that matter.
Because, in the nineteenth century women used to be kept in an oppressed situation in America.
They were not given adequate amount of freedom which is quite common in twentieth century
(Bell, 1-27). The central character has been reflected in courageous format where she exiled from
her territory with her child pearl so that she can give a better and happy life to her. The step
taken by her for her rights and freedom proved to be remarkable at that point of time. Females in
America have been remarked as an inferior gender. It was proved in the scarlet letter where
people from Hester’s town believed that Hester was having an affair in the absence of her
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husband as she gave birth to the child when her husband was away. However, the story was other
way round where Hester was forcefully raped. She was oppressed for not being loyal. However,
the empowering step of her was when she escaped from the territory.
Analysing the other short poem that is, “Before I got my eye put out”, reflection of an
empowered women can be analysed where Emily, the poet, even after suffering from a deadly
disease exotropia, was motivated enough to live and imagine the world in such a manner as well.
She has considered sun as a spiritual and intellectual illumination. The infinite spirit of the poet
can be assessed from the poem (Pereira).
The story “The scarlet letter” reflects this aspect is a well-defined manner. The thinking of
the town was affecting her state of living. She had to live in the prison for three months with her
child. It affected her to the core which motivated her to exile from her on territory. However, the
step taken by her to give a beautiful life to her child, Pearl by keeping her away from the
conservative society.
Considering the story being mentioned in the poem by Emily, that is, “Before I got my eye
put out”. Blindness is considered to be a sin in the society and take it as a sympathetic behaviour.
However, Emily was able to make it positive and reflect it as a boon to her. She mentioned
regarding how she can see the world with her imagination, which is unbound, as physical eyes
may not be able to watch the whole universe (Shurr). Further, it reflects that there is an impact of
how society takes a particular thing. However, one courage and belief can decide whether
societal pressure can affect the individual or not.
It has been assessed from the famous story, “the scarlet letter” that, the calm and composed
behaviour of the main character helped him to sail his boat through the difficult times he was
facing in his life. Though what she experienced was not because of her deed but due to the
perception of the society (Wright, 35-50). It can be analysed that she was not given adequate
amount of equality and respect which was actually extended to his husband. The statements of
imprisonment and exile helps in defining different aspects of her life.
Analysing the same aspect in another short poem, that is, “Before I got my eye put out”.
There may be difference in what is deserved by the character but her courage to accept it helped
her to sail the boat through issues (Stewart). Considering different aspects while taking decisions
can help in understanding the inequality. Gathering of goodness from the situation of her current
life made her feel strong and accept the reality with open arms. Hence, it can be ascertained that
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integrity and stability in minds of the individual can vary from one situation and condition to
another. Moreover, higher dependence has been analysed on behaviour and perception of the
individual as well (Caldwell).
Marriage and family are considered to be an important aspect while assessing female
characters and their compassion. The story “the scarlet of letter” stated that the central character,
Hester, was quite happy with her family and husband. However, a forceful event in her life led
her to imprisonment. She exiled from there so that she can give better life to her child. Her love,
compassion and belief towards her deeds helped him to maintain her courage intact. Moreover, it
also helped her to provide the best to her child. It shows her love and respect to her family.
Moreover, her kind and courageous nature is also reflected in the story.
In the short poem by Emily, that is, “Before I got my eye put out”, she has also been
shown as a courageous and strong woman with all motherhood qualities in her. Her positive
aspect towards the nature depicts her motherhood love towards it. It also reflects that even after
losing her sight, she has enough positivity to see the world and nature with her imagination.it
expresses her love towards it. Hence, assuming different aspects of nature as her children, her
family life was full of love and laughter.
It reflects that common characteristics of mother are borne by the females in one or the
other way. Their love for their child can make them do certain things that may not be correct but
can help their child to lead a happy life. The condition of woman was not appropriate in
nineteenth and twentieth century. However, the steps being taken by mothers have led them
through various issues. It affected their life but their courageous nature helped in giving best to
them. Both the writers discussed regarding strength of a woman who can take even take
courageous steps at the time of crisis. Moreover, there positivity and belief in themselves always
helped them in dealing with the problematic situations.
Emily have expressed her ideas regarding the strength of a woman by comparing her with
infinity faith, lighting and in-depth content that sooth her in such a manner that the problems in
her life does not barricade her happiness and perspective towards her life. Use of imaginary
happiness to soothe herself down so that problems do not affect her. She compared women with
stars, forest and sky to reflect qualities. Moreover, she does not end the poem on clear note and
giving a slight idea that the feeling and description of the subject matter can not be ended in the
poetry as well.
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In the end, it can be assessed that a mother is a clear representation of power, strength,
courage, patience, tolerance, understanding, trust, forgiveness, determination etc, which can not
be compared with any other thing in the nature. Moreover, motherhood does not require that she
should have a biological child through her. It can be in the form of love and care that is extended
to any individual or thing.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that, both the texts chosen, that is, “The Scarlet
letter” and “Before I got my eye put out” have represented women in different aspects. However,
the common thing is both the women are represented to be courageous, strong and reflects
positivity in their nature. The report also outlined that motherhood in a woman can be
represented with the characteristics of humanity, patience, tolerance, perseverance,
understanding, trust, loyalty, forgiveness, determination, protective nature etc. It has been worn
by both the woman as characters of two different texts.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Bell, Sophie. "Misreading The Scarlet Letter: Race, Sentimental Pedagogy, and Antebellum
Indian Literacy." Studies in American Fiction 42.1 (2015): 1-27.
Caldwell, Craig. Story Structure and Development: A Guide for Animators, VFX Artists, Game
Designers, and Virtual Reality. CRC Press, 2017.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel, and Maxwell Geismar. The scarlet letter. Holt, Rinehart and Winston,
1961.Market, South African Labour. A Scarlet Letter. Diss. University of the
Witwatersrand, Johannesburg South Africa, 2016.
Miller, Cade S. "The Scarlet Letter and Novel Structure." (2016).
Pereira, Vinicius Carvalho, and Cristiano Maciel. "A Literary Analysis of Poems Automatically
Produced by Peter’s Haiku Generator." International Conference on Entertainment
Computing. Springer, Cham, 2017.
Plath, Sylvia. Collected poems. Faber & Faber, 2015.
Shurr, William H., ed. New Poems of Emily Dickinson. UNC Press Books, 2015.
Stewart, Michael. Rebooting the lyrical story: structure, viewpoint and aspects of realism in
short fiction. Diss. University of Huddersfield, 2015.
Watling, Chris. "The three ‘S’s of editing: story, structure, and style." Perspectives on medical
education 5.5 (2016): 300-302.
Wright, Jaime. "Emily Dickinson: A poet at the limits." Theology in Scotland 24.1 (2017): 35-
50.
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