Both Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, and Arthur Miller’s The Crucible contain crucial themes that build the backbone of their plots. “A single lie destroys a whole reputation of integrity” was once said by Baltasar Gracián, a Spanish writer, and could be applied to each book, as they show the importance, value, and power of a name or reputation. Although the main themes of reputation ring throughout the book, the motifs play just as critical of a role. For example, revenge and the drive for it shows itself, appearing frequently in the Scarlet Letter and The Crucible. Furthermore, the theme of jealousy reappears throughout The Crucible. Even though these two books are centered on similar themes, it is the different underlying motifs
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Arthur Dimmesdale, the real father of Pearl, is the town’s minister and has the reputation of a saint. When Hester initially stood in front of the town on the scaffold, the father did not stand with her in order to save his own reputation. When Dimmesdale would confess himself as a sinner during his sermons, the congregation would just think of him as even holier. Although his reputation was almost flawless, Dimmesdale was tortured because he knew he did not deserve it; however, he did not have the courage to come completely clean until 7 long years later. Throughout this time, Hester had learned that one action could completely ruin her reputation, but would take years of constant positive action to gain it back. She became a seamstress and would oftentimes sew clothing for the poor and needy. Still, after years of goodness, there was still an aura around her wherever she went. Dimmesdale, at the time, did not want to have to work for his reputation back, but in the long run, caused more damage to him physically and mentally: “While thus suffering under bodily disease, and gnawed and tortured by some black trouble of the soul, and given over to the machinations of his deadliest enemy, the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale had achieved a brilliant popularity in his sacred office. He won it, indeed, in great part by his sorrows”(128). The importance of a clean and sturdy reputation is a common theme in both books and shows
Arthur Dimmesdale, the real father of Pearl, is the town’s minister and has the reputation of a saint. When Hester initially stood in front of the town on the scaffold, the father did not stand with her in order to save his own reputation. When Dimmesdale would confess himself as a sinner during his sermons, the congregation would just think of him as even holier. Although his reputation was almost flawless, Dimmesdale was tortured because he knew he did not deserve it; however, he did not have the courage to come completely clean until 7 long years later. Throughout this time, Hester had learned that one action could completely ruin her reputation, but would take years of constant positive action to gain it back. She became a seamstress and would oftentimes sew clothing for the poor and needy. Still, after years of goodness, there was still an aura around her wherever she went. Dimmesdale, at the time, did not want to have to work for his reputation back, but in the long run, caused more damage to him physically and mentally: “While thus suffering under bodily disease, and gnawed and tortured by some black trouble of the soul, and given over to the machinations of his deadliest enemy, the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale had achieved a brilliant popularity in his sacred office. He won it, indeed, in great part by his sorrows”(128). The importance of a clean and sturdy reputation is a common theme in both books and shows