The Great Level of an Ant

In my essay I will be addressing the idea of Feminism and the existence (or nonexistence) of it in society and nature. I will base my idea of the Scarlet Letter through the use of three different scenes (Forest, Scaffold at Night, Scaffold at Day-last scene). Then use my idea to incorporate ants (which may sounds weird) as a way of proving that feminism does not naturally exist in nature. This will tie back to humans because it is true that women have a certain conneciton with nature through their cycles and such, therefore they attain a certain strength. Men feel as though society is theirs which is in ways true because they define things such as "adultry." Women may conform to the ideals of this society but really they never fit in because of their eternal conneciton with nature and a strength that is simply too strong for society. Just as men will never truly fit in with nature (as Dimmesdale doesn't in the forest, or male ants don't in their colonies). They may feel a certain comfort within but, truly men depend on women to interact with nature for them (ie, Dimmesdale craving for Hester's strength, which in the end she gives him and the female ant's ability to collect food and care for the colony while the men must depend on them to continue their work).

In a way, humans have messed up this natural system of feminist order (where everything is equal, even though the women may have more power, so it is more balanced) by placing men "in charge." All of a sudden they are the only ones who can do anything or be successful. In Puritan New England this aspect of society is very important, submitting the women into a way of tortured silence. They may only clean, care, and cook while the men are out being triumphant. Really, the women should be because they have a connection with all that is natural in this world. In Hester's case, she has escaped this hold of society and using some sort of strength (even though it portrayed itself in a bad way) she has pulled away and found her connection once again with nature (especially seen in the forest). Yes, she is tortured from her sin but she remains in Boston to develop on inner strength that changes her appearance in the eyes of the people.

She has built herself up to the level of ant (almost taking society with her), ironic yes because ants are so little, but they embody the ideal characteristics of a balanced world of gender roles. Everyone respects where they are to be and does what they know how to do instinctively, just as women do in society but they are pushed behind bars and told HOW to do what they already know and then kept from doing more of what they really could do. But these ants, living in perfect harmony respecting the superiority of the females. Hester has once again found this ability to be her own person and to lead (even through a sin). I mentioned that she is bringing society with her and in ways this is true because as she transforms, not only learning from her mistake but building an inner strength she suddenly becomes "our Hester," transforming the ideal of a strong women in the eyes of society.

Dimmesdale has fallen apart, any strength or self wisdom he once retained deteriorating and wiped away by the realities of society. Hester IS so much stronger in him in coming forward to admit her sin and he cant even do that. He begs for her strength which she so willingly hands over because she loves him, but also because her femininity naturally reach out to help others and love. Her strength is so great that after seven years of suffering(?) she throws away her letter and begs him to go away with her. Betraying her (in the public eye), which is in ways a power trip by men, Dimmesdale still begs for her mercy and her ability to share her strength. She shares with him. She hands over her heart, submitting to this man, but still holding strong to her own strength. Forever, she will be above all because she has admitted to this sin she committed and lived with it for years, attached to her side and her breast. She will always have a certain strength because in her connection with nature (sex) she stepped above and took control, just as the ants would do. She continues to care for others, "collecting food" and "running her own society."

Just throwing in one more thing. In my psych book it said that autistic minds are like a sever case of a male brain. They can't communicate, they have issues being social, and their empathetic level is low or nonexistent. Sad, but true, this is seen greatly by Dimmesdale's ignorance of his sin and the way it deteriorates him. But maybe it's true, maybe he can't step out of the way men naturally are. And maybe that is why women are so powerful because they can step out of how they are and hold back on themselves. Pushed back by the norms of society, they have to control their own strengths and this takes strengths. They are strong by unwillingy controlling their natural actions while men couldn't even naturally consider doing this.