Suzy Q. Student
AP English IV—Palombo
First Block
8 December 2008
Literary Research Paper Proposal
Work: The Scarlet Letter
Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne
Research question: Is Hester Prynne a feminist?
I. Hester’s unique personality
A. View of marriage
B. View of woman’s purpose and place in society
A. View of marriage
B. View of woman’s purpose and place in society
II. Hester in Puritan society
A. Views of society’s rules
B. Methods of parenting
C. Hester’s role in society
A. Views of society’s rules
B. Methods of parenting
C. Hester’s role in society
III. Hester as social rebel
A. Independence from community
B. Refusal to confess and repent
C. Modern apostle and thinker
A. Independence from community
B. Refusal to confess and repent
C. Modern apostle and thinker
Thesis: Through her actions and philosophy, Hester Prynne, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s heroine in
The Scarlet Letter, reveals herself as a 16th century feminist.
References:
Bonida, Gerald. “The Women of Nathaniel Hawthorne: Exploring Early Females Stereotypes.” Southern Literary Review. Vol. 24. Fall 1987: 123-138.
The Scarlet Letter, reveals herself as a 16th century feminist.
References:
Bonida, Gerald. “The Women of Nathaniel Hawthorne: Exploring Early Females Stereotypes.” Southern Literary Review. Vol. 24. Fall 1987: 123-138.
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. Boston: Penguin Books, 1999.
Kingston, Nancy, ed. “Sewing-up Hester Prynne.” Nathaniel Hawthorne: Studies in Early American Literature. New York: Dennis Press, 1986.
Tomas, Geneva. “The Farthingale Uplifted: Where Hester Prynne Led Women.” English Journal of Letters. Vol. 37. December 2005: 67-73.