The Scarlet Letter was written By Nathaniel Hawthorne and was published in 1850. The introductory chapter of the Scarlet Letter is called “The Custom House” which tells of hawthorns time working in the Salem, Mass. Government Custom House. He finds a Scarlet Letter in the Custom House. This a Scarlet Letter tells the story Hester of Prynne. In this novel, it becomes evident that Hawthorne is not just telling a story about a woman’s life and her sins, but an critique about the hypocrisy of the Bible abiding society and their strict, unforgiving way of life. The true hypocrisy becomes evident through the treatment and influence of the characters Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale and Hester Prynne.
Hester Prynne, the protagonist, is married to an elderly man named Chillingworth who sent her ahead to America while he finished up some business in Europe. When he did not arrive in Boston as planned, she believes that …show more content…
Because of his position within the church and the pertain society, he is unwilling to confess his sin. Hawthorne refers to the hypocrisy of Dimmesdale, which has haunted him and caused him great damage. Dimmesdale tries to hide his sin and guilt from the world. As a result he was eaten alive from his remorse over his guilt. In the end his heart literally weakened, and he died.
The major theme, which is focused on throughout The Scarlett Letter, is the idea of perfection. The main characters struggle against perfection, keeping their secret sins within themselves, which over time can causes them only harm under the pressure of Puritan society. In the novel Hawthorn stresses the importance of how perfection can lead to failure. Both Hester and Dimmesdale's sin causes them both to live with their imperfection, which makes it really hard on their social standing. The story proves that Hawthorne's theme of imperfection is impossible within an
Hester Prynne, the protagonist, is married to an elderly man named Chillingworth who sent her ahead to America while he finished up some business in Europe. When he did not arrive in Boston as planned, she believes that …show more content…
Because of his position within the church and the pertain society, he is unwilling to confess his sin. Hawthorne refers to the hypocrisy of Dimmesdale, which has haunted him and caused him great damage. Dimmesdale tries to hide his sin and guilt from the world. As a result he was eaten alive from his remorse over his guilt. In the end his heart literally weakened, and he died.
The major theme, which is focused on throughout The Scarlett Letter, is the idea of perfection. The main characters struggle against perfection, keeping their secret sins within themselves, which over time can causes them only harm under the pressure of Puritan society. In the novel Hawthorn stresses the importance of how perfection can lead to failure. Both Hester and Dimmesdale's sin causes them both to live with their imperfection, which makes it really hard on their social standing. The story proves that Hawthorne's theme of imperfection is impossible within an