Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in Salem, Massachusetts. Most of his ancestors were prominent Puritans, who were also wealthy. In the Scarlet Letter (1850), Hester must show what she’s done by wearing an “A” for adultery on her chest for the world to see because of her sin. In the book, Hester commits adultery which affects her in negative ways and creates great problems between the people she knows. In the Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne claims that sin not only affects the sinner but also those whose lives are touched by sin around them, Hawthorne also explores different forms of redemption and healing. By wearing the “A”, Hester becomes more vulnerable to judgement. As people see the letter on her chest, more people become aware of her sin which allows her to feel more insecure about her past. “Hester Prynne had always this dreadful agony in feeling a human eye upon the token; the spot never grew callous; it seemed, to grow more sensitive with daily torture” (Hawthorne 59). The feeling of someone looking at the “A” on her chest brings her so much pain and suffering. Hester makes herself endure more pain and
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Sin and redemption have existed all throughout history and continues to stick around today. Sin and redemption are important to Hawthorne because the Puritan religion followed very strict moral and religious rules about the correct way to live your life. This book can impact readers by reminding them that sin will always be a part of their lives, but there are many ways to deal with it. Hawthorne gives us three very different ways to deal with sin and receiving redemption whether they hide their sins or confessed. We still read this novel today because the issue of sin and redemption are in the world we live in. Even though we don’t wear a letter on her chest to show our sin, we still have to deal with our shame and the judgement of
Sin and redemption have existed all throughout history and continues to stick around today. Sin and redemption are important to Hawthorne because the Puritan religion followed very strict moral and religious rules about the correct way to live your life. This book can impact readers by reminding them that sin will always be a part of their lives, but there are many ways to deal with it. Hawthorne gives us three very different ways to deal with sin and receiving redemption whether they hide their sins or confessed. We still read this novel today because the issue of sin and redemption are in the world we live in. Even though we don’t wear a letter on her chest to show our sin, we still have to deal with our shame and the judgement of