Power in “The Scarlett Letter”
Power in The Scarlett Letter
Godbeer’s essay, “Sodomy in Colonial New England” posed an interesting history about the definition of sodomy and the power relations within that definition. Previous coursework of mine (more specifically, American Legal Systems) established that sodomy was non-reproductive sex. This definition was present in the Godbeer essay as part of the sodomy law passed in New Haven, but other sodomy laws in New England “focused on the violation of boundaries between the sexes, not rectal penetration or sodomy’s nonreproductive character” (96). Sodomy was considered an “act,” not part of a lifestyle or preference.
In Godbeer’s essay it was also suggested that practices of sodomy between men operated within the power relations of the time. The author speaks of Nicholas Sension’s propensity for attempting sexual relations with male servants and young men. Sension’s pattern of accusers seems to “suggest that for men attracted to members of the same sex in New England as elsewhere in early modern English culture, intercourse, hierarchy, and power were closely intertwined” (99).
The previous quote brings me to The Scarlet Letter. While reading, I hadn’t considered that Hester Prynne’s situation may have arose from a man in a position of power exercising that power over her, so to speak. I assumed that she and Pearl’s father, the minister, were equal partners in sin. But after reading Godbeer’s essay, I am not so sure. His position of power, proximity to Hester as her priest during her pregnancy and her silence regarding Pearl’s paternity all seem to indicate his influence to me. The possibility that the minister influenced Hester to have an affair with him and influenced her silence makes that fact that he suffers in his silence just as much as she suffers openly seem somewhat just. I guess only reading the latter half of the novel will tell the true beginnings of their relationship.
In reference to Sesion, Godbeer states that “issues of power may have figured in [his] impunity as well as in his choice of partners” and goes on to say that his societal status probably shielded him to some degree (101). I feel that the quote applies loosely to the minister as well; that his position on the pedestal shielded him from close scrutiny from the townspeople. With the exception of Roger Chillingsworth, who had his own agenda, the townspeople chose not to see the truth of the minister, as evidenced by his failed attempt to tell them he was not as good as they thought.
Ultimately, whether or not it influenced his relationship with Hester, the minster’s power played an important role. It allowed him unquestioned proximity to Hester and the child, it gave him the authority to saw Hester should not have Pearl taken from her, it ensured Hester’s silence, and finally, his high status as a godly man protected him from suspicion of paternity.
Sorry this is a little late. I read the wrong essay and documents from Peiss.
Tags: Hester Prynne, hierarchy, influence, nonreproductive, power, power relations, sexual act, sodomy
