The X-Men and Hester

This week, we finished reading The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne.  In the novel, Hester has committed adultery and is forever labeled as an outcast in her society.  This particular aspect of the book reminded me of how the X-Men are also outcasts in their society.

Since Hester isn't accepted in her society, she lives in a cottage in the woods.  Similarly, the X-Men live in a secluded house under the name of "Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters" so no one will know that mutants live there.  In the beginning of the book, Hester spends most of her time helping the less fortunate; however, this doesn't change the views of society towards her.  The X-Men are a superhero group whose goal is to protect the citizens of their city. Yet despite all their efforts, the people still view them as dangerous outcasts.  Over time, people start to view the X-Men as heroes just like the citizens in Hester's town start to view the scarlet "A" as "able" instead of adulterer; but they can never escape the fact that they are outcasts.  

Under all the similarities between Hester and the X-Men is one difference; Hester defies the stereotype that men are stronger than women while the X-Men embrace it.  Hester, a woman, is portrayed as being very strong while Dimmesdale, the partner in her sin and a man, is portrayed as very weak.  He even goes to Hester for support because he can't handle all the guilt as well as Hester can.  On the other hand, the X-Men support this stereotype because even though there are woman in the team, they still call themselves the X-Men.  They want to seem strong, so they do this by using the word "men" and not "group" or "people".  Even though they differ in this stereotype, Hester and the X-Men's lives are very similar.