Woman and Nature: Ecofeminist Sensibilities in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s the Scarlet Letter

Abstract

Ecofeminism, a branch of feminism focuses on women’s interactions with the natural world. It is the academic, political and philosophical movement that seeks to develop a connection between nature’s depletion and women’s exploitation. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, set in the Puritan-patriarchal culture depicts how women were persecuted, tormented, condemned and governed by men in all parts of their existence. Though Hester Prynne, the protagonist of the novel is outraged by the Puritans, she receives God’s affection for her through the gentle impact of nature which inspires her to focus her energy within and seek the inner goodness that urges her to cultivate her inner strength. By applying ecofeminist theory, the present paper attempts to examine the relationship between women and men and women and nature. The current research also assesses nature’s cordial relationship with Hester Prynne and highlights the difference between men and women in their perception of nature.