The scarlet letter
There comes a point in time when each citizen of the world should ask themselves: Have I ever lied to my parents? Have I ever cheated on a test? Have I ever stolen, coveted, or perhaps committed adultery? All supernatural and religious beliefs and preferences aside. No mortal man can claim to have lived a life free of mistakes. So, no one person can rightfully point their finger in judgement, when he too has fallen short of perfection. In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne contrasts between outward appearance and inner secrets using elaborate symbolism, distinct irony, and theatrical dialogue to develop his argument that hypocrisy is eminent in all societies.
The Scarlet Letter portrays the townspeople as a fierce and judgmental group symbolizing the hypocritical characteristics in the members of a society. The puritan society of this novel views adultery as a serious and unforgivable crime. The townspeople place social status and high respect for Dimmesdale over the reality of his actions. Though Hester and Dimmesdale committed the same sin, the priest cannot be moved from his holy position at the pulpit. While Hester is persecuted and burdened with “ignominy” for the rest of her life. The puritan people claim to stand for the forgiveness of sins, yet they show only conditional forgiveness in their own town. This is evident in modern society as well. One’s social rank is largely factored into the consideration of their punishment. So much so that if ones rank is high and prestigious enough, their crime may not even be considered itself. This is evident in Chapter 11 when Dimmesdale means to confess, “Would not the people start up in their seats, by a simultaneous impulse, and tear him down out of the pulpit which he defiled? Not so, indeed! They heard it all, and did but reverence him the more. They little guessed what deadly purport lurked in those self-condemning words. "The godly youth!" said they among themselves.” Dimmesdale is so highly extolled
The Scarlet Letter portrays the townspeople as a fierce and judgmental group symbolizing the hypocritical characteristics in the members of a society. The puritan society of this novel views adultery as a serious and unforgivable crime. The townspeople place social status and high respect for Dimmesdale over the reality of his actions. Though Hester and Dimmesdale committed the same sin, the priest cannot be moved from his holy position at the pulpit. While Hester is persecuted and burdened with “ignominy” for the rest of her life. The puritan people claim to stand for the forgiveness of sins, yet they show only conditional forgiveness in their own town. This is evident in modern society as well. One’s social rank is largely factored into the consideration of their punishment. So much so that if ones rank is high and prestigious enough, their crime may not even be considered itself. This is evident in Chapter 11 when Dimmesdale means to confess, “Would not the people start up in their seats, by a simultaneous impulse, and tear him down out of the pulpit which he defiled? Not so, indeed! They heard it all, and did but reverence him the more. They little guessed what deadly purport lurked in those self-condemning words. "The godly youth!" said they among themselves.” Dimmesdale is so highly extolled