Who is anne Hutchinson and how does hawthorne feel about her?

Answer 1

Anne Hutchinson was a 17th-century Puritan spiritual leader in colonial Massachusetts who challenged the religious orthodoxy of her time, advocating for a personal interpretation of The Bible and criticizing the male-dominated clergy. Nathaniel Hawthorne, in his work "The Scarlet Letter," portrays her as a complex figure, embodying both defiance and tragedy. He admires her strength and conviction but also reflects on the consequences of her challenges to societal norms, illustrating the tension between individualism and community conformity. Hawthorne's treatment of Hutchinson suggests a nuanced sympathy for her plight, viewing her as a symbol of the struggle for personal freedom against oppressive societal forces.