Everybody has their secrets, things no one would expect of them. Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale are prime examples of this in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Scarlet Letter. After Hester Prynne makes her way into the Massachusetts colony where Dimmesdale lives, they eventually become lovers and she becomes pregnant with his child. While no one in the community is sure of the identity of the father, they treat Hester with revulsion and punish her for her actions. Hester’s crime causes her to face new realities of life, now being known as the community adulterer. The novel raises the question of what punishments are given from society to those who have committed a moral wrong and the effects of the punishment on the person. Hawthorne provides many
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Law and religion at this time were very much intertwined and, “there was very much the same solemnity of demeanor on the part of the spectators,” (Hawthorne, 37). Society as a whole agrees on the same morals based on the word of God which also dictates the law system. When someone behaves out of the mutual principles they are instantly outcast from the society. Hester firsts spends time in jail until it is decided she must face the rest of her punishment. She is to stand on a scaffold in front of her community where she is stared at and criticized with public humiliation. Hester, “with a burning brush, and yet a haughty smile, and a glance that would not be abashed, looked around at her townspeople,” (Hawthorne, 39) and decided she would not act ashamed, although in reality she is filled with guilt. She understands her faults but has come to terms with the fact that this is how she must redeem herself and she might as well do it without feeling completely ashamed. Along with the public shaming, Hester is also ordered to wear a red letter ‘A’ across her chest to stand for adulterer. This punishment changes her identity and the way others see her. With the patch across her chest, she is no longer recognized as Hester Prynne, but rather the adulterer. These punishments continue to affect Hester and the upbringing of her …show more content…
He shows Hester Prynne who serves as perseverance in a situation that feels impossible to get through. Hester was able to better herself and accept her mistakes to move on as best as possible. Another point of view provided is that of Arthur Dimmesdale, the man whose secret is eating him alive, literally. He represents the consequence of keeping secrets hidden when your heart is full of guilt and shame. He also provides the reader with insight to Roger Chillingworth, the ‘villain’ in the novel, who is seeking revenge. He shows Roger’s initial shock, hatred and ultimate bitterness towards Dimmesdale and Hester. This point of view in the novel gives a look into a person closely affected by the crime and his struggle to not let it go. He symbolizes “karma” and dictates the fate of Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale. While Hawthorne provides many different sides to a situation, he makes a direct statement at the ending of the novel which may very well be his own take on the subject. The novel concludes where Dimmesdale and Hester are buried together, “on a field, sable, the letter ‘A’ gules,” (Hawthorne, 241). This end reveals Hawthorne’s belief that this immoral act committed by Hester and Dimmesdale will continue to stay with them forever, even after death. The red letter ‘A’ remains
Law and religion at this time were very much intertwined and, “there was very much the same solemnity of demeanor on the part of the spectators,” (Hawthorne, 37). Society as a whole agrees on the same morals based on the word of God which also dictates the law system. When someone behaves out of the mutual principles they are instantly outcast from the society. Hester firsts spends time in jail until it is decided she must face the rest of her punishment. She is to stand on a scaffold in front of her community where she is stared at and criticized with public humiliation. Hester, “with a burning brush, and yet a haughty smile, and a glance that would not be abashed, looked around at her townspeople,” (Hawthorne, 39) and decided she would not act ashamed, although in reality she is filled with guilt. She understands her faults but has come to terms with the fact that this is how she must redeem herself and she might as well do it without feeling completely ashamed. Along with the public shaming, Hester is also ordered to wear a red letter ‘A’ across her chest to stand for adulterer. This punishment changes her identity and the way others see her. With the patch across her chest, she is no longer recognized as Hester Prynne, but rather the adulterer. These punishments continue to affect Hester and the upbringing of her …show more content…
He shows Hester Prynne who serves as perseverance in a situation that feels impossible to get through. Hester was able to better herself and accept her mistakes to move on as best as possible. Another point of view provided is that of Arthur Dimmesdale, the man whose secret is eating him alive, literally. He represents the consequence of keeping secrets hidden when your heart is full of guilt and shame. He also provides the reader with insight to Roger Chillingworth, the ‘villain’ in the novel, who is seeking revenge. He shows Roger’s initial shock, hatred and ultimate bitterness towards Dimmesdale and Hester. This point of view in the novel gives a look into a person closely affected by the crime and his struggle to not let it go. He symbolizes “karma” and dictates the fate of Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale. While Hawthorne provides many different sides to a situation, he makes a direct statement at the ending of the novel which may very well be his own take on the subject. The novel concludes where Dimmesdale and Hester are buried together, “on a field, sable, the letter ‘A’ gules,” (Hawthorne, 241). This end reveals Hawthorne’s belief that this immoral act committed by Hester and Dimmesdale will continue to stay with them forever, even after death. The red letter ‘A’ remains