Vander Ven
American Literature & Composition – The Scarlet Letter Paper Assignment: Journal Entry
For each paper's opening and closing paragraphs numbered 1-5, answer the following questions in your
<emma> journal:
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Do the opening paragraphs have good, solid, thesis statements that tell you exactly where the paper is headed?
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Does each paper answer the prompt question:
Compare the actions of Hester Prynne as her story progresses through the book to those of prominent women contemporary to Hawthorne, i.e.,
Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Margaret Fuller. To what degree does
Hester advance or diminish the cause of women’s rights? Compare
Hester to any living people or fictional characters today who challenge our perceptions of women.
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Do they answer or address some part of the prompt question?
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Do the closing paragraphs relate back to the opening paragraphs? (Do they recall the thesis?)
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Do they do a mini-summary of the body paragraphs?
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What advice would you give each writer to help improve his or her opening and closing?
Let's Look at Peer Papers
Paper 1
OPENING PARAGRAPH
Hester Prynne, a symbol to some of the earlier ages, can stand for women’s rights. Hester
Prynne was a leader to people around her society. She was an outcast to her people, yet she eventually had rights no other women did, by overcoming many obstacles, working through society’s anger, and exercising her redeeming actions.
CLOSING PARAGRAPH
As seen, yes Hester sinned. She did that, but even more she redeemed herself and gained rights no women ever had. She gained rights and her arguments with people meant more than any other women walking the streets. She was dragged down into the deepest darkest hole of society and made it out with rights, the rights of women. The rights to survive alone and the right to walk where she wishes, but most importantly, the right to talk against other people and have her side of the argument actually thought upon and not dismissed because of her gender.
Paper 2
OPENING PARAGRAPH
What does it take to be an influential woman? In the “scarlet letter”, Hester shows characteristics such as courage, determination, and confidence. Those qualities led to Hester’s influence. People as a whole look at women differently now because of Hester and many others.
CLOSING PARAGRAPH
Hester Prynne, Sarah Palin, Elizabeth Stanton, and Margaret Fuller, are all similar as dignified women and they all symbolize a strong movement in favor of the womens rights movement act. These women through thick and thin showed persistence and in most cases success. Females like these demonstrate and set an example for ladies everywhere and prove that girls are able.

Paper 3
OPENING PARAGRAPH
Throughout history, women have been seen as lesser creatures then men. Men have always stereotypically been the “providers” and “protectors” for women. Women were seen by society as weak, less intelligent, and not as capable as men. The two sexes were not treated equally by far and women did not nearly have as much freedoms and rights as men did. However, as the years progressed, women have proved the male society terribly wrong. Women have stepped up to the plate and taken charge of their lives. Examples of such women were writer and early women’s rights activists Elizabeth
Cady Stanton and Margaret Fuller. Who for their time took huge steps towards the advancement of women and paved the way of future modern activists. Another woman who was a great leader for the women of her time is the character Hester Prynne in Hawthorne’s novel, “The Scarlet Letter.” Hester shows a great deal of strength throughout the novel and gives pride to women who read of her outstanding attitude toward adversity. Women such as these have greatly influenced the view of women and have given the modern day women a life of equal rights and prosperity.
CLOSING PARAGRAPH
In conclusion, women have come a long way in history and are now given all the opportunities and rights that they deserve. In modern society today, women account for 51% of all workers in the high paying management, professional, and related occupations. In some areas of employment, women outnumber men completely and in most colleges and universities around the country there is an average
10% female dominance over the male population. Thanks to women such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton,
Margaret Fuller, and Hester Prynne we now have women running for Presidential office and other high ranking governmental positions. Without those early women who decided to stand up against the wishes of their culture, in order to give women the rights and opportunities that they deserve, the world would not be the same as it is today. At last all “men” are truly created equal under the law and in the eyes of society.
Paper4
OPENING PARAGRAPH
Is it worth it to stand up for what you believe in? Hester Prynne definitely thought so. How does
Hester Prynne's fight compare with Margaret Fuller's fight for womens rights, does Prynne portray the cause of womens rights, and is Hester's fight in anyway similar to Sarah Palin's current battle for vice presidency of the United States?
CLOSING PARAGRAPH
Hester Prynne, Sarah Palin, Elizabeth Stanton, and Margaret Fuller, are all similar as dignified women and they all symbolize a strong movement in favor of the womens rights movement act. These women through thick and thin showed persistence and in most cases success. Females like these demonstrate and set an example for ladies everywhere and prove that girls are able.
Paper 5
OPENING PARAGRAPH
Women’s rights have come an extremely long way since Elizabeth Cady Stantons’ and Margret
Fullers’ time. Many women have tried to make a push towards women’s rights but these two women stand out highly when it comes to making huge changes. These women had to brave all the criticism from the men and some women because they were to scared to stand up for what they believe in.
Because of Stanton and Fuller, women can vote, own their own land, and women now have a voice in government and the courts.
CLOSING PARAGRAPH

Sense Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Margaret Fuller had the courage to take a stand for women’s rights, something no woman would dare do let alone talk about in this time period, women today have all the rights a man has. She can vote, own her own property, and keep her pay. Stanton and Fuller empowered today’s women greatly because of their unyielding determination.