Scarlet Letter Identity Essay
The Scarlet Letter characters struggle to accept their own personal identities. Hester embodies the scarlet letter, while Dimmesdale tries to break his stereotypical religious identity.
By wearing the scarlet letter, Salem publically shames Hester. If she leaves the town, then she could remove the A, but instead she stays. She could go away with her daughter Pearl and have a completely normal life. She refuses to leave because the letter has become her identity, and she uses its power. Some people in the town even think that the A now symbolizes “able”, which means something completely different than the original significance. The A now means that Hester’s strength defies everything else, making her able and capable of defending herself. Towards …show more content…
the end, the council even considers removing the A. “It was debated whether or no, with safety to the common weal, yonder scarlet letter might be taken off your bosom” (Hawthorne 158). She proved to Salem that she could move on in life, and forget about the past. Hester’s strength inspires the people of Salem because even though ostracized, she uses her newfound strength for the good of the community. She becomes “so kind to the poor, so helpful to the sick, so comfortable to the afflicted” (Hawthorne 153). Hester’s fortitude is even considered sacred, and the townspeople say that the A would protect her in peril.
Having a stereotypical religious identity ultimately creates problems for Dimmesdale because he fails to prove that he sins, thereby negating his stereotype.
As the community minister, people see him as a messenger of God, so they idolize him. Truthfully, Dimmesdale commits adultery, which disproves the people’s view of him. Unlike Hester, Dimmesdale fails to realize that individuality and fortitude are achieved by inner strength and by accepting oneself. This severe internal struggle hinders him from achieving his individuality. Because he is now tied to Hester because of their daughter, Pearl, he feels guilt, which drives him to self-punishment. Over time, this deteriorates his physical and spiritual state of being. Through his sermons, Dimmesdale attempts to convey his wrongdoings, but nobody ever realizes this. “He longed to speak out, from his own pulpit, at the full height of his voice, and tell the people what he was” (Hawthorne 134). He believes that if he communicates with people and tells them his sins, he can move past his internal conflict. Ironically, everyone thinks that Dimmesdale is being rhetorical, which causes him further anguish. When at last Dimmesdale dies because of his personal struggles and punishments, he becomes even more of an icon than he was living. So it seems that Dimmesdale was unable to achieve his true identity, because some believed that his confession was symbolic, instead of
authentic.
Both Hester and Dimmesdale have their own difficulties with their identities, but their lives vary drastically because of the choices they make. At the end of the book Dimmesdale dies, proving his internal and, at times, external conflict. He struggles to accept himself, and eventually this leads to his demise. His main goal was to express his misconduct, but the people of Salem perceived his sermons as only religious teachings. Hester on the other hand, succeeds by accepting her cultural role in society. By using the A’s power, she helps the poor for which the people admire her. The Scarlet Letter proves that personal identities can be very powerful, for good or bad, but when acknowledged and accepted, can change one’s nature thereby making one a better person. Living a truly fulfilled life can lead to an ultimately more complete existence.
Works Cited
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. St. Paul, Minnesota: EMC/Paradigm Publishing. 1998. Print
By wearing the scarlet letter, Salem publically shames Hester. If she leaves the town, then she could remove the A, but instead she stays. She could go away with her daughter Pearl and have a completely normal life. She refuses to leave because the letter has become her identity, and she uses its power. Some people in the town even think that the A now symbolizes “able”, which means something completely different than the original significance. The A now means that Hester’s strength defies everything else, making her able and capable of defending herself. Towards …show more content…
the end, the council even considers removing the A. “It was debated whether or no, with safety to the common weal, yonder scarlet letter might be taken off your bosom” (Hawthorne 158). She proved to Salem that she could move on in life, and forget about the past. Hester’s strength inspires the people of Salem because even though ostracized, she uses her newfound strength for the good of the community. She becomes “so kind to the poor, so helpful to the sick, so comfortable to the afflicted” (Hawthorne 153). Hester’s fortitude is even considered sacred, and the townspeople say that the A would protect her in peril.
Having a stereotypical religious identity ultimately creates problems for Dimmesdale because he fails to prove that he sins, thereby negating his stereotype.
As the community minister, people see him as a messenger of God, so they idolize him. Truthfully, Dimmesdale commits adultery, which disproves the people’s view of him. Unlike Hester, Dimmesdale fails to realize that individuality and fortitude are achieved by inner strength and by accepting oneself. This severe internal struggle hinders him from achieving his individuality. Because he is now tied to Hester because of their daughter, Pearl, he feels guilt, which drives him to self-punishment. Over time, this deteriorates his physical and spiritual state of being. Through his sermons, Dimmesdale attempts to convey his wrongdoings, but nobody ever realizes this. “He longed to speak out, from his own pulpit, at the full height of his voice, and tell the people what he was” (Hawthorne 134). He believes that if he communicates with people and tells them his sins, he can move past his internal conflict. Ironically, everyone thinks that Dimmesdale is being rhetorical, which causes him further anguish. When at last Dimmesdale dies because of his personal struggles and punishments, he becomes even more of an icon than he was living. So it seems that Dimmesdale was unable to achieve his true identity, because some believed that his confession was symbolic, instead of
authentic.
Both Hester and Dimmesdale have their own difficulties with their identities, but their lives vary drastically because of the choices they make. At the end of the book Dimmesdale dies, proving his internal and, at times, external conflict. He struggles to accept himself, and eventually this leads to his demise. His main goal was to express his misconduct, but the people of Salem perceived his sermons as only religious teachings. Hester on the other hand, succeeds by accepting her cultural role in society. By using the A’s power, she helps the poor for which the people admire her. The Scarlet Letter proves that personal identities can be very powerful, for good or bad, but when acknowledged and accepted, can change one’s nature thereby making one a better person. Living a truly fulfilled life can lead to an ultimately more complete existence.
Works Cited
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. St. Paul, Minnesota: EMC/Paradigm Publishing. 1998. Print