As it was in the early days of America, today’s society uses the act of “shunning” to shame a person or a certain group into behaving in a way that society approves. Like Hester Prynne, who was shunned by the Puritan’s in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter many celebrities, politicians and even average people are “shunned” through the media, social networks, and work/school environments. This “shunning” is used to make money, show dislike of a person and their actions, and to force a person to conform to the expectations of society.
An example of one who has experienced this type of shaming is Miley Cyrus. Miley Cyrus quickly grew to fame as child as Hannah Montana, but as she grew older, she became a racy singer. Her original audience of children are shocked to find that their idol is not a good role- model like Hannah, but instead, a wild, party girl who enjoys dancing sensually and wearing minimal clothing, Miley’s sudden change outrages many parents and children who miss the old Miley.
Her wild behavior and change has caused Miley to be plastered all over the tabloids and media, being called anywhere from a bad role model and destroyer of a kids’ idol, to a slut and drug- addict She‘s been shunned by many people who refuse to listen to her music, watch her videos and even watch award shows for fear of her performance, And if a person is not boycotting her, they are avidly watching to see what crazy stunt Miley will pull next.
Miley‘s wild behavior causing her to be shunned is similar to Hester Prynne. Both performed an action(s) that their society deemed wrong and inappropriate and were punished for it However, instead of letting this punishment ruin them, they both choose to continue with their lives.
As Hester was admired for her perseverance and strong-willed nature and wearing her sin openly on her chest, as is Miley who is admired by many for her free spirit and not caring what others think. Unfortunately, this behavior also causes many parents to keep their children from listening to her music, and many kids are warned away from her, like Hester, Miley and Hester, although very different people, have both experienced “shunning” and have felt the effects from it. If Miley were living in the Puritan society with Hester, she too would be shunned and branded with a “W” for wild, or perhaps an “I” for immoral. Despite their behaviors, it is still the people who choose to shun them, try to force them to follow the rules and laws of society and keep them from being who they are and who they want to be with Public “shunning” has been show through Hester and Miley that it does not work for both proudly wear their shame and sin and the shaming has no affect on them.
Miley Cyrus Should Be Branded with W for Wild, Like Hester Prynne Was. (2023, Apr 09). Retrieved from https://paperap.com/miley-cyrus-should-be-branded-with-w-for-wild-like-hester-prynne-was/