Theme Of Light And Dark In The Scarlet Letter

What would you do if you were forced by society to wear a symbol of your sin on your chest for the rest of your life? The Scarlet Letter was written by Nathaniel Hawthorne and is based out of Boston in the 17th century, it is about a young woman who committed adultery and must wear a scarlet A on her chest so that the whole community may be reminded of her sin every time that she is in their presence. Throughout the novel, Hawthorne uses the symbols of light and dark to depict good and evil among the characters Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth. The protagonist of the Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne, is a beautiful young woman who has experienced both good and bad since she arrived in Boston. Nathaniel Hawthorne stated “Such helpfulness was found in her, – so much power to do, and power to sympathize, – that many people refused to interpret the scarlet A by its original signification. They said it meant Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a women’s strength” (148). This quote resembles how Hester is good, and it also shows what the people have become to think of her. Hester embraced her sin and people started to see the good in her again. Pearl says to her mother, “the sunshine does not love you. It runs away and hides
itself...” (Hawthorne 168). This quote tells how Hester has been exposed to bad within her life by describing how the sun will not shine on her. ii. The sun refuses to shine on Hester because of her sin. Hester has been exposed to both good and bad but she accepts it when she wrongs. Arthur Dimmesdale, the minister at Hester Prynne’s church, is at first just a preacher who defends Hester, but we later discover that he is indeed Pearl’s father.
“There is truth in what she says...” Dimmesdale states this as he defends Hester (Hawthorne 104). Arthur defended Hester quite often so I feel as if this is a light quote. Dimmesdale was a very light man who was taken by evil. “...a great letter in the sky, the letter A, which we interpret to stand for Angel.” (Hawthorne 145). The A in the sky arrived right after Hester, Arthur, and Pearl stood on the scaffold together. I believe this is a dark quote because it is the result of evil. Arthur Dimmesdale has been exposed to both good and evil within this
book. Hester’s husband, Roger Chillingworth, is a physician who sent her to America before him that has had his fair share of good and bad times since he arrived in Boston. “My heart was a habitation large enough for many guests, but lonely and chill...” (Hawthorne 69). Roger’s intention within this quote is light because of how he describes his heart. Chillingworth is trying to tell Hester that he is sorry for not being there. “At first his expression had been calm, meditative, scholar-like. Now, there was something ugly and evil in his face…” (Hawthorne 117). When Roger was first introduced to the community he was a kind man, but after obtaining the knowledge of his wife’s sin he craved revenge. Chillingworth was referenced to the Black Man many times in this book. Roger Chillingworth is an elderly scholar who is overtaken by evil when he seeks revenge on his wife’s lover. Main Characters in this novel experience both light and dark throughout the timeline of this story. Did you happen to think about the question I asked at the beginning of this essay? Well we all have our own opinions on how we would handle this situation, but my personal opinion is that I would become a stronger person and learn to recognize what I have done wrong instead of hiding it.