The pressure of society and morality are constant forces driving the actions of members of society. The amount one has to lose dictates the extent to which a character is willing to face adversity and rise as a result. In this text, three protagonists struggle with sin and how to attone, this process is influenced by the weight and consequences of confession. Hester has almost nothing to lose, so she can really seize this opportunity and rise out of the ashes. Dimmesdale has a high position in society, but still has his relationship with god to rely on, so he is unnwilling at first but ultimately able to own his sin and rise up. Chillingworth has a lie to be exposed, a secret identity as a sinner, and as a wronged husband; that’s too much so
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The hardship Hester undergoes certainly is a self inflicted malignity, however, as Hester has naught to lose by owning her sin she embraces it; making her a stronger person than her peers. As punishment for the crime of adultery, Hester is marked with an “A” resting perpetually on her chest. This brands her as a social outcast in the highly judgemental Puritan society. Hester, however, takes on this mantel in stride, bearing a work of art on her chest “fantastically embroidered… Illuminating her bosom,” (37). By making the embodiment of her sin beautiful, even luminous, Hester shows that she has nothing to lose when atoning publicly for her sin. Hester’s wrongdoing has deeper than just moral consequences, the product of her infidelity serves as another symbol of her sin to which she gives the utmost attention and care. In recognition of the the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s conception, Hester administers the name; “ ‘Pearl’ as being of great price -- purchased with all she had, -- her mother’s greatest treasure,” (61). One with a greater shame pertaining to their sins would not make a statement so bold as this, to recognise the cost of one’s actions and have the consequence serve as a symbol of that expense shows that Hester is not afraid of what repute she is held in by her community. This is not to say she has nothing at all to lose; In taking on the mantel of her sin, Hester loses her beauty. This change is brought on by the constant judgement of her town, bearing down upon her breast -- embodied by the scarlett letter. This brings forth an interesting dichotomy: Hester’s willingness to bear the scarlet letter is a point of pride and strength, but simultaneously acts as a leech for her physical beauty and warm disposition. When Hester is finally able to shed the weight of her sin and her brand falls to
The hardship Hester undergoes certainly is a self inflicted malignity, however, as Hester has naught to lose by owning her sin she embraces it; making her a stronger person than her peers. As punishment for the crime of adultery, Hester is marked with an “A” resting perpetually on her chest. This brands her as a social outcast in the highly judgemental Puritan society. Hester, however, takes on this mantel in stride, bearing a work of art on her chest “fantastically embroidered… Illuminating her bosom,” (37). By making the embodiment of her sin beautiful, even luminous, Hester shows that she has nothing to lose when atoning publicly for her sin. Hester’s wrongdoing has deeper than just moral consequences, the product of her infidelity serves as another symbol of her sin to which she gives the utmost attention and care. In recognition of the the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s conception, Hester administers the name; “ ‘Pearl’ as being of great price -- purchased with all she had, -- her mother’s greatest treasure,” (61). One with a greater shame pertaining to their sins would not make a statement so bold as this, to recognise the cost of one’s actions and have the consequence serve as a symbol of that expense shows that Hester is not afraid of what repute she is held in by her community. This is not to say she has nothing at all to lose; In taking on the mantel of her sin, Hester loses her beauty. This change is brought on by the constant judgement of her town, bearing down upon her breast -- embodied by the scarlett letter. This brings forth an interesting dichotomy: Hester’s willingness to bear the scarlet letter is a point of pride and strength, but simultaneously acts as a leech for her physical beauty and warm disposition. When Hester is finally able to shed the weight of her sin and her brand falls to