Irony in The Scarlet Letter “The great thing about irony is that it splits things apart, gets up above them so we can see the flaws and hypocrisies and duplicates.”, stated by David Foster Wallace. Irony enables an author to surprise a reader by writing the contrary of the reader’s initial thought. Within The Scarlet Letter, irony is evident in “The Marketplace” when Hester is the center of attention on the scaffold for the sin that she has committed. Additionally, irony is presented in “The Interview” when Chillingworth is conversing with Hester and he tries to convince her to reveal the identity of her partner sinner. Hawthorne’s use of irony is most significant when Reverend Dimmesdale is portrayed as a most impressive holy person. Throughout
…show more content…
Most, if not all, readers see the irony of the Scarlet Letter upon Hester's bosom for the reason that the Puritan community wants to her to feel the true disgust of her awful sin. “Why, gossips, what is it but to laugh in the faces of our godly magistrates, and make a pride out of what they, worthy gentlemen, meant for a punishment?”(2,38). A reader’s initial thought would probably incorporate the feeling of shame and/or remorse because of the blazing Scarlet Letter that rests upon her chest, but in plain fact Hester is wearing the unquestionably dazzling Scarlet Letter with pride and dignity, as spoken in the text. This text example of situational irony plays an enormous role in Hawthorne’s simple truth by being effortlessly identified as irony and thereupon interpreted to its full …show more content…
“Think not that I shall interfere with Heaven’s own method of retribution, or, to my own loss, betray him to the gripe of human law.”(4,52). After concluding the text and analysis of the text, a reader can most definitely acknowledge the irony presented in the quote. Chillingworth states that he will concede the power of revenge to the Heavens above and will not hinder Heaven’s ability to do so, but later intrudes Dimmesdale’s mind, in pursuit of his dark, buried sins. Also established in the chapter, Chillingworth is identified as the husband of Hester and he would like his identity to be concealed from public view. “Thou hast kept the secret of thy paramour. Keep, likewise, mine!”(4,52). He intensely tries to dig for the secrets in the depths of Dimmesdale’s mind, but ironically, has sealed his own devilish secrets from the community in his mind. With the text evidence in mind these ironic statements have more power aiding Hawthorne’s simple
Most, if not all, readers see the irony of the Scarlet Letter upon Hester's bosom for the reason that the Puritan community wants to her to feel the true disgust of her awful sin. “Why, gossips, what is it but to laugh in the faces of our godly magistrates, and make a pride out of what they, worthy gentlemen, meant for a punishment?”(2,38). A reader’s initial thought would probably incorporate the feeling of shame and/or remorse because of the blazing Scarlet Letter that rests upon her chest, but in plain fact Hester is wearing the unquestionably dazzling Scarlet Letter with pride and dignity, as spoken in the text. This text example of situational irony plays an enormous role in Hawthorne’s simple truth by being effortlessly identified as irony and thereupon interpreted to its full …show more content…
“Think not that I shall interfere with Heaven’s own method of retribution, or, to my own loss, betray him to the gripe of human law.”(4,52). After concluding the text and analysis of the text, a reader can most definitely acknowledge the irony presented in the quote. Chillingworth states that he will concede the power of revenge to the Heavens above and will not hinder Heaven’s ability to do so, but later intrudes Dimmesdale’s mind, in pursuit of his dark, buried sins. Also established in the chapter, Chillingworth is identified as the husband of Hester and he would like his identity to be concealed from public view. “Thou hast kept the secret of thy paramour. Keep, likewise, mine!”(4,52). He intensely tries to dig for the secrets in the depths of Dimmesdale’s mind, but ironically, has sealed his own devilish secrets from the community in his mind. With the text evidence in mind these ironic statements have more power aiding Hawthorne’s simple