Based on the two novels I have read that is The Scarlet Letter and Joss and Gold, it

Is obvious to see multicultural elements spun into both stories. The two most significant

multicultural elements from both novels are gender issues and belief system. Similarities and

differences can be analysed from both novels.

Through analysing gender issues from both novels, feminism prevails in both novels.

However, the stories take place in two different societies where it is a patriarchal society in

The Scarlet Letter while it is an egalitarian society in Joss and Gold.

The feminist ideology is visible through the protagonist, Hester Prynne. Hester

Prynne in multiple instances defies male authority through her actions making herself a

feminist icon in the book. This evident when Hester boldly rejects the meaning of the scarlet

letter set by society and comes up with her own definition (page 120, paragraph 3, lines 18-

20). Hester disregarding male dominance by withholding the name of Pearl's father

illustrates feminism. Hester is firm with her decision as she does not seek pity from the men

who think they can easily get her to speak the truth. She doesn’t see the need to succumb to

men's orders hence she is more than willing to live with the sign of sin (Page 73, paragraph

2, lines 25-26). In Joss and Gold, Meryl portrays feminism. Meryl states how women’s rights

should be as important as men’s. In her belief, it is improper for women to be comply to

stereotyped gender roles especially ones regulated by men. Meryl is not afraid to voice out

her opinions in the presence of her husband and Jack (page 59, paragraph 9, line 19 – 20,

page 59, paragraph 12, like 26-28) This shows that Meryl is the advocate of the feminist

ideology.

The stories however take place in two different societies that influences the storyline.

Scarlet Letter takes place in a patriarchal society. Men here assert power and dominance

therefore have the upper hand in the society. Scarlet letter takes place in a patriarchal

society where men presume they are superior over women. This leads to men believing they

can decide what is important for a woman without taking women's interest to account. The

act of menfolk disapproving Hester to take care of Pearl because she is an adulterous
proves how ignorant these men can be (Page 123, paragraph 1, lines 1-3). This is very

different in comparison to Joss and Gold as men do respect women's opinions and

decisions. In page 76, paragraph 2, lines 21 - 22, the jailer shows dominance as he was

ready to "beat the demons" out of Hester just because he could not put up with her temper

also proves male dominance.

The society described in Joss and Gold is an egalitarian. Characters in this story do

not conform to gender stereotype unlike in the Scarlet Letter. This is evident as Paroo

despite a man is depicted as someone who’s very sensitive (page 15, paragraph 1, lines 6 –

7). This quite contradicts the stereotypical man who are supposedly less emotional than

women. The character Chester evidently proves that the society is not male orientated. His

acceptance towards his wife’s decision show he does not perceive his wife as an inferior but

as someone who’s equal. Therefore, he is willing to sacrifice his wants just to make his wife

happy (Page 54, paragraph 15, lines 50 – 51)

After analysing the belief system in both novels, it is evident that the belief system in

both novels shapes the society's way of life. The difference between both novels is belief in

tradition in Joss and Gold whereas belief in Christianity in the Scarlet letter.

Both societies' strong believe on their belief system goes beyond logical and rational

thinking. This in return leads to multiple unnecessary conflicts.

In the Scarlet Letter, this obvious as the society portrayed as a vicious one by their actions

and words. This is due to their firm believe the in the belief system which prohibits infidelity.

This can be seen in page 55, paragraph 2, lines 13-16 where one of them gruesomely

expresses their death wish for Hester based on their belief system. Another evidence would

be the foolish act of the society trying to steal Pearl from her only parent just because she is

a child out of wedlock. They presume Pearl is of demon origin due to that (pg108, paragraph

2, line 17) and hence thinks the best to do is to separate a child from her mother which is

illogical. A significant example in Joss and Gold is son preference. Daughters to Gina's
father is of no use as he's an old-fashioned Confucius (page 24, paragraph 6, line 20).

Confucius believes daughters are inadequate because they don’t bring any benefit to the

family as their primary purpose in life is to get married (wikigender,n.d). This proves that

despite globalization his perspective towards daughters remains the same. This in the end

resulted in the death of Gina (page 24, paragraph 11, line 32). This shows the degree of

faith towards respective belief system in the society until they allow it to cloud rational

thoughts that invites disastrous events.

The obvious difference in belief system in both novels is their faith. Joss and Gold

emphasizes on Chinese tradition while the society in Scarlet Letter is Christianity. In Joss

and Gold, the author threads in multiple Chinese traditions in the story. It is clear through Li

Ann and Henry’s marriage. Li Ann was gifted a sateen jacket with red phoenix imprinted on it

as it was red phoenix in Chinese culture is auspicious for young brides. The tea ceremony

ritual was carried out with the Chinese tradition in mind (page 10, paragraph 1, line 6). In

Scarlet letter, the use of Christian terms allows readers to understand the setting is in a

Christian society (page 54, chapter 3, line 25, Page 60, chapter 1, line 8). In addition, the

author makes it clear it is a Christian society as the statues of the town is based on Christian

beliefs

(page 55, paragraph 2, lines 14-15). This explains the sentence upon Hester as committing

adultery is a sin.

In conclusion, the authors of both novels have made both multicultural elements

stand out in the story. I have found that they both share similarities and differences in both

elements. Both novels depict feminism and an illogical society due to their firm believe in the

belief system however Scarlet Letter takes place in a Christian patriarchal society while the

setting of the other story is a egalitarian society as well as a traditional Chinese society.