Why Do Readers Invest Themselves In The Scarlet Letter

Readers invest themselves in characters' stories because by doing so, they embark on a journey that presents new knowledge and endless possibilities. For instance, "The Scarlet Letter" manifests the idea that guilt and the keeping of secrets negatively affects a persons conscience. The reader is aware of this when Arthur Dimmisdale exclaims that he has found "nothing but despair" due to his failure to confess his wrongdoing (p. 185). Because the struggle the characters face is so common in the real world, the reader can't help but become actively involved in the novel, and create a new meaning based on their personal experience.
Of course, in order to be rewarded with such pleasures, the reader must dedicate time, effort, and imagination to