There is nothing worse in this world than the feeling of guilt. It settles in an individual 's heart, a burden that becomes increasingly heavy, until it is freed through a moment of shame or buried with the heart that it inflicted. Throughout the novel The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, many of the characters commit sinful actions. A common theme in the novel is that all characters live with sin, but only those who are worthy of redemption live with guilt. This integral relationship between sin and guilt is expressed through Hester’s public shame, Dimmesdale’s effort to save face, and Puritan hypocrisy.
To start, Hester shows that she is worthy of redemption because she is ashamed to wear the scarlet letter. Although many …show more content…
This theme is prevalent throughout the entire novel. It is shown through Hester’s emblem of public shame, Dimmesdale’s burdened conscience, and the lack of guilt shown by the Puritans. Some readers might not draw this powerful relationship between sin and guilt. However, this theme is not only prevalent it also adds a deeper meaning to the text. This theme is not limited to a past or fictional story; it is prevalent in everyday life. All people whether they would attest to it or not, have committed sin. But the worst sin, possible imaginable is to not feel guilt. Guilt is a heavy burden to wear, but only when it is worn on one’s chest, can it be rectified. There is nothing worse in this world than the feeling of guilt. It settles in an individual 's heart, a burden that becomes increasingly heavy, until it is freed through a moment of shame or buried with the heart that it inflicted. Throughout the novel The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, many of the characters commit sinful actions. A common theme in the novel is that all characters live with sin, but only those who are worthy of redemption live with guilt. This integral relationship between sin and guilt is expressed through Hester’s public shame, Dimmesdale’s effort to save face, and Puritan
To start, Hester shows that she is worthy of redemption because she is ashamed to wear the scarlet letter. Although many …show more content…
This theme is prevalent throughout the entire novel. It is shown through Hester’s emblem of public shame, Dimmesdale’s burdened conscience, and the lack of guilt shown by the Puritans. Some readers might not draw this powerful relationship between sin and guilt. However, this theme is not only prevalent it also adds a deeper meaning to the text. This theme is not limited to a past or fictional story; it is prevalent in everyday life. All people whether they would attest to it or not, have committed sin. But the worst sin, possible imaginable is to not feel guilt. Guilt is a heavy burden to wear, but only when it is worn on one’s chest, can it be rectified. There is nothing worse in this world than the feeling of guilt. It settles in an individual 's heart, a burden that becomes increasingly heavy, until it is freed through a moment of shame or buried with the heart that it inflicted. Throughout the novel The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, many of the characters commit sinful actions. A common theme in the novel is that all characters live with sin, but only those who are worthy of redemption live with guilt. This integral relationship between sin and guilt is expressed through Hester’s public shame, Dimmesdale’s effort to save face, and Puritan