An Analysis of the Construction of Female Protagonists In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne and The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough from the Lens of Feminism

Abstract

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne and The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough are two iconic works of American and Australian literature in which female protagonists are vividly and symbolically constructed. While these two novels have been widely analyzed in literary scholarship, existing studies have primarily focused on each novel individually rather than in direct comparison. This study, therefore, provides a unique contribution by bridging this research gap and offering a broader understanding of gender representation in literature. Through the lens of feminist literary theory, this thesis explores how both authors portray Hester Prynne and Meggie Cleary as representations of the modern woman which are strong, resilient, and courageous in defying unjust social conventions. Despite being set in different historical, religious, and cultural contexts, both characters embody feminist consciousness through their spirit of resistance, pursuit of autonomy, and struggle for self-definition within patriarchal societies. By analyzing their appearance, actions, and life choices, this research not only underscores the literary significance of female representation but also highlights the similarities and differences in the construction of female protagonists across the two novels. Ultimately, the study affirms the power of the "new woman" figure in inspiring the ongoing pursuit of gender equality in contemporary society.