The Similarities Between The Scarlet Letter And The Great Gatsby
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The Great Jeremiad
The jeremiad’s name comes from the prophet Jeremiah from the Old Testament. He never had anything nice to say and only had biblical lamentations. The speaker laments society and its morals while prophesying society’s downfall. Jeremiads are seen in The Scarlet Letter, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, “What, to the slave, is the Fourth of July?”, and The Great Gatsby. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlett Letter is one novel demonstrating a jeremiad. The Puritans believed people were born sinners and maintained strict watch over themselves and townspeople. Hester committed adultery, but was spared execution because the Puritans believed they could use her as an example of punishment. The townspeople shunned her and she was forced to have a secluded life. The Scarlet Letter illustrates the theme of society and the individual. The people, which can especially be seen through Dimmesdale, were always concerned about hiding their flaws and sins in order to avoid punishment. Hawthorne laments this society that pretends to be sinless and furthermore, Hester…show more content… His “What, to the slave, is the Fourth of July?” is a classic example of a jeremiad. In his speech, Douglass reveals that he is not part of this “glorious anniversary” with so many slaves. He derides Americans for their harsh treatments on blacks and calls America “untrue”. Douglass condemns the American churches and ministers for not speaking out against slavery. He concludes by saying that the Fourth of July reveals the “gross injustice and cruelty” to the American slave and that the “celebration is a sham”. Douglass advocated equal justice and rights, as well as citizenship, for blacks. He argues that no longer can the cruelties of American slavery be hidden from the rest of the world. Douglass’ speech exemplifies a jeremiad because he denounces the atrociousness of Americans and recognizes the disparity and depravity still