HP vs. BVM

What's behind that chubby little baby hand?

It’s quite a match-up, don’t you think?  Hester Prynne versus the Blessed Virgin Mary.

And at first glance one would think that the Mother of God has this competition sewn up, but then again, Hester knows her way around a needle, so we should probably examine this head-to-head more closely.

In Chapter II Hawthorne starts the comparison for us.  His intent, of course, is a study in contrasts.  While both women stand seemingly alone with their children clutched to their bosoms, one is radiant with the purity she carries in her arms and the other bares both the child and mark of iniquity.

Despite these stark differences, the parallels between the young women are also worthy of a look.

• We know that Mary, like Hester, was a sinner, hence her need to sing that her “spirit rejoices in God, [her] Savior.”
• Despite Mary’s virgin status, her pregnancy probably brought on a fair amount of public shame.  She and Hester both stood tall, and quiet against their tormentors.
• Both women were spared a more severe treatment for their role as an unwed mother.  Joseph could have left his betrothed wife, and the Puritans could have hanged Hester for her adulterous actions.
• Both Pearl and Jesus are considered to have fathers not of this world.  And although we know this is untrue for Pearl, her “unearthly” father is a common topic for both the town’s discussion, and her own.
• Post-shame, -child, and -embroidered A, Hester leads a life as a celibate servant of her neighbors.  In Chapter XIII we even learn that some men sometimes thought, “the scarlet letter had the effect of the cross on a nun’s bosom.”  While the jury is still out on Mary’s virginity (I will not be partaking in any discussion about the topic here, so save those comments for some other blog) she is revered with this same saintly view.
• Both women are blessed with children that give them much to ponder in their hearts.  Every irregular action and word is cause for pause.  But then again, maybe that is the plight of every mother.

Don’t get me wrong, I won’t be saying a “Hail, Hester” any time soon, but for that matter I’ve never been known to say a “Hail, Mary,” either.  It is an interesting literary connection that Hawthorne opens up for discussion, though.  So, are there others?