Parallels between Biblical adulterer and Hester Prynne by Cameron Peterson
In the book “The Scarlet Letter” there are many underlying themes. One theme that runs rampant and is arguably the most prominent theme in this novel is judgement for sin, specifically with adultery. A similar parallel to this can be found in the bible, John 8:1-11. The theme of judgement and punishment is incredibly prominent, however in this scripture we are shown the correct way to judge by Jesus’ example.
Hester Prynne was judged for a significant portion of her life for adultery, but it was a very intentional judgement. Her village wanted to condemn her and make her sin public permanently by putting a stamp of disapproval in the form of a scarlet letter placed upon her chest. She was forced to wear this bright red “A” on her chest always so that everyone would know that she had committed the act of adultery. No matter where she went this embroidered “A” would tell the story of her sin to people she never even knew. She was eternally an outcast. Even her own husband denied a relationship with her, and went mad trying to find the male adulterer in the equation with Hester. Furthermore, if the disownment of her …show more content…
In this time the custom for adultery was not to judge someone forever on this earth, but perhaps the next worst thing: death. Those who had sinned were condemned to be stoned according to the customs and ancient laws of Moses. A woman was put in front of a crowd who had committed adultery. The Pharisees (corrupt spiritual law keepers at that time) were determined to trick Jesus by asking him whether to stone her or not and see if they could stump him to prove that they were greater than him. Jesus simply drew a line in the sand, took a step back and said, “He who is with sin among you, let him throw the first stone.” The crowd slowly dispersed and got told the woman to sin no more and released
In the book “The Scarlet Letter” there are many underlying themes. One theme that runs rampant and is arguably the most prominent theme in this novel is judgement for sin, specifically with adultery. A similar parallel to this can be found in the bible, John 8:1-11. The theme of judgement and punishment is incredibly prominent, however in this scripture we are shown the correct way to judge by Jesus’ example.
Hester Prynne was judged for a significant portion of her life for adultery, but it was a very intentional judgement. Her village wanted to condemn her and make her sin public permanently by putting a stamp of disapproval in the form of a scarlet letter placed upon her chest. She was forced to wear this bright red “A” on her chest always so that everyone would know that she had committed the act of adultery. No matter where she went this embroidered “A” would tell the story of her sin to people she never even knew. She was eternally an outcast. Even her own husband denied a relationship with her, and went mad trying to find the male adulterer in the equation with Hester. Furthermore, if the disownment of her …show more content…
In this time the custom for adultery was not to judge someone forever on this earth, but perhaps the next worst thing: death. Those who had sinned were condemned to be stoned according to the customs and ancient laws of Moses. A woman was put in front of a crowd who had committed adultery. The Pharisees (corrupt spiritual law keepers at that time) were determined to trick Jesus by asking him whether to stone her or not and see if they could stump him to prove that they were greater than him. Jesus simply drew a line in the sand, took a step back and said, “He who is with sin among you, let him throw the first stone.” The crowd slowly dispersed and got told the woman to sin no more and released