The Scarlet Letter Questions

1) Truthfully an introduction is meant generally as the entertainment portion of what it is a reader should expect. In no doubt is it informal. However, when an introduction does not depict what it is expected it dawns questions within the audience. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “Custom House” an introduction to his novel Scarlet Letter, taking actual literal meaning of words seems to be the primary concept. Hawthorne’s engulfs his introduction with in depth detail not to confuse reader, but to however cover up what it is he truly wants to say. When read once, the writer’s words are incomprehensible. Yet, when read over the author’s conveyed purpose is to make readers understand that, prior to reading the Scarlet Letter, there are things he wants to say,(and does say it) but must be said in a way that is presentable to the public.

No matter how deeply felt, there are things that can’t be said. However, it’s the readers job to find that meaning which is hidden in the context. The audience must generally keep in mind that at this time not all ideas were easily welcomed, meaning things remained dependency on tradition. Thus, the way things are done in the present, as the speaker writes in his introduction, reflects with the past. In the introduction a “Custom House” is implied as concept a building where these taxes are paid. However if the audience solely only depends on standard words the author’s purpose for writing won’t be fulfilled. In literary meaning, Custom is defined as a habitual practice, meaning that things are always done a certain way. “House is also interpreted as a building in which people live in or a building for any purpose. When mutually combined, a reader can notice that “Custom House” translates as another way of saying tradition.

2)Not many can be found that wish to have disgrace lit on their face. It’s not something that can be proudly worn either. On the contrary disgrace is detested, even if it means to be detestable to one's self to accomplish shunning away from shame. Readers discover while reading Hawthorne’s introduction that the author changes in telling the story contained in the dairy in which he found. Hester Prynne’s wrote the original words written in the dairy, in other words a woman wrote the words. The writer(author) is in no doubt has ancestral Puritan blood. Women are at the bottom of society in this time period. It would be an embarrassment to steal the words of a woman. Instead, in taking the words and elaborating it, and having the feeling that he made it better,proves more comforting to the author. Prynne receives some level of acknowledgement but not to the highest of which is due.

Amazingly, there is still at least a hint of evidence that there is some sought of credit given to Prynne. There is no other way than to bluntly say that women received a little or no recognition Should there have been a dispute the man will surely be victorious. The changes Hawthorne made significantly helps Hester Prynne in a way. Chances are she would have never been even recognized had her work not been “improved” by a man. Despite all this, the author also wants readers to understand without saying it that he does feel a sense of shame. His way of writing depicts a sense of pathos. How shameful and disgraceful is it that he seeks change, and in effort to do so, he must take the words of another. It’s a bond to tradition Hawthorne wants to break despite how it has to be done.

3)There’s no better way to gain attention than to please effortlessly. Interest lies in the eyes of an author. What is interesting to one may not be interesting to another. Just the same, that does not give permission to change. Individual’s write for different reasons and though some may have the concept to please that may not be the desire of others. When Hester Prynne wrote her dairy, there had to be a reason as to why it is she wrote what it is that she wrote. However, when stumbled upon by the author, there is change added to her words. The author seeks to make it more “interesting”. However, when looked at the author’s words, the concept seems that the author seems to merely please.

There’s a line between what it is that the heart wants, and another between what the public or others want. In Hawthorne’s case, he’s killed the heart in order to please and give the public what it is they want. After working on the Custom House and seeing nothing come nor go, the author seem to desire a change. There’s a message of a new enablement. What better way to get started than to start with a story that pleases both the public and his ancestors. The impact of a story determines it praise and adoration. There no question that those in these times declare this sense of praise and adoration. Thus, to acoomplish and justify this idea, the author changes the work of a lesser standard in society to raise his own level of change and happiness.