Tiffany Lum
Mrs. Leffel
American Literature
12 January 2017
The Inward Battle of Sin and the Importance of Humility Everyone has struggled with sin, whether others believe it or not; but the question is, how does one overcome the consequences of sin and shame and achieve forgiveness? In The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, this story revolves around a young woman named Hester, who has committed adultery, and is punished for it publicly. Because of her crime, she is forced to wear a scarlet letter A, which stands for adulterer, on her bosom. This outward symbol of her sin causes her to be publicly shamed and humiliated; all the while she deals with herself, her child, her husband, her lover, and society. Hawthorne illustrates how people …show more content…
The fact that Hester survived those barriers automatically counts her as a survivor. But one conflict Hester faced was being used as a scapegoat for the Puritans' preconception on how all should live. She is forced to wear a scarlet letter, but because of her diligence and being repentant, she is the one who chooses to wear it for the rest of her life. Not only is she honest for not hiding her sin, she becomes compassionate to lowly people who may be poor or sick, and helps them, as she can relate to their suffering. Hawthorne writes, "'Do you see that woman with the embroidered badge?' They would say to strangers. 'It is our Hester, the town's own Hester, who is so kind to the poor, so helpful to the sick, so comfortable to the afflicted!'" (Hawthorne 147). By doing so after many years, people start to notice her in a positive light, and ultimately transforms the meaning of her scarlet letter A, with humility and dignity. Another example of Hester's change is found in chapter 13, "Many people refused to interpret the scarlet A by its original signification. They said that it meant Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman's strength" (Hawthorne 148). After Hester's fight with a hypocritical society, she finally finds herself and becomes stronger through her battles using characteristics such as humility and compassion, and never giving
Mrs. Leffel
American Literature
12 January 2017
The Inward Battle of Sin and the Importance of Humility Everyone has struggled with sin, whether others believe it or not; but the question is, how does one overcome the consequences of sin and shame and achieve forgiveness? In The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, this story revolves around a young woman named Hester, who has committed adultery, and is punished for it publicly. Because of her crime, she is forced to wear a scarlet letter A, which stands for adulterer, on her bosom. This outward symbol of her sin causes her to be publicly shamed and humiliated; all the while she deals with herself, her child, her husband, her lover, and society. Hawthorne illustrates how people …show more content…
The fact that Hester survived those barriers automatically counts her as a survivor. But one conflict Hester faced was being used as a scapegoat for the Puritans' preconception on how all should live. She is forced to wear a scarlet letter, but because of her diligence and being repentant, she is the one who chooses to wear it for the rest of her life. Not only is she honest for not hiding her sin, she becomes compassionate to lowly people who may be poor or sick, and helps them, as she can relate to their suffering. Hawthorne writes, "'Do you see that woman with the embroidered badge?' They would say to strangers. 'It is our Hester, the town's own Hester, who is so kind to the poor, so helpful to the sick, so comfortable to the afflicted!'" (Hawthorne 147). By doing so after many years, people start to notice her in a positive light, and ultimately transforms the meaning of her scarlet letter A, with humility and dignity. Another example of Hester's change is found in chapter 13, "Many people refused to interpret the scarlet A by its original signification. They said that it meant Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman's strength" (Hawthorne 148). After Hester's fight with a hypocritical society, she finally finds herself and becomes stronger through her battles using characteristics such as humility and compassion, and never giving