In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s book‚ “The Scarlet Letter‚” a very prominent theme is the idea of how something a little bit out of the ordinary can become quite exaggerated. In the beginning of the book‚ the main character‚ Hester Prynne‚ is made to wear a scarlet letter to pay for her sin of adultery. This letter and even Hester herself is exaggerated in the eyes of society throughout the book. “It was whispered‚ by those who peered after her‚ that the scarlet letter threw a lurid gleam along the dark
Premium Hester Prynne Nathaniel Hawthorne The Scarlet Letter
Scarlett Letter Criticism Nathanial Hawthorne envisioned The Scarlet Letter as a short story published in a collection‚ but it outgrew that purpose. Most critics accept Hawthorne’s definition of it as a “romance” rather than a novel. The novel begins with an introductory autobiographical essay‚ “The Custom House” where Hawthorne describes working as a custom officer in Salem‚ Massachusetts. He describes coming across documents that provide him with the basis for The Scarlett Letter. The introductory
Free Nathaniel Hawthorne The Scarlet Letter
Devon Hoover 9/27/12 Argumentative Essay Mrs. Johnson From the intriguing book The Scarlet Letter ‚ there are two men that have conflicting viewpoints on sin. One man‚ Rogers Chillingsworth‚ believed that all men should confess their sins to show that they also are not perfect and may be liable to sin. The other man Arthur Dimnesdale believed that some men that are privileged should not confess their sins openly and that no past is better redeemed but by good services. I whole heartedly
Premium English-language films Confession UK Singles Chart number-one singles
Throughout The Scarlet Letter‚ Hawthorne uses a great deal of symbolism especially with the meaning of the scaffold. The scaffold starts out to be place of sin and humiliation but ironically becomes a place of true salvation. It is used by many characters to show their emotions as well as how people of the Puritan society treated Hester‚ Pearl‚ and Arthur Dimmesdale. In the first scaffold scene‚ Hester is holding her daughter Pearl in her arms. Hester has committed adultery and must stand on the
Premium The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne Hester Prynne
In Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter‚ Pearl serves many roles as a character. In the harsh Puritan society she lived in with her mother Hester‚ she provides some comical relief into their difficult lives. Hester was condemned her whole life from committing adultery. Her letter was not the only punishment she faced‚ but the internal guilt of knowing she went against her religion sat with her for life. Pearl was her most precious gift and she gave Hester a reason to keep going and continue on with her
Premium Family Love Marriage
Near the beginning of the Scarlet Letter‚ Hester was a passionate and proud woman. Her characteristics reveal themselves throughout her attire‚ attitude‚ and countenance. Hester openly expresses her love for freedom‚ which is encouraged by Romantics. However‚ as she grows older‚ she matures and her rough edges begin to smooth. Since she is permanently distanced from civilization by the Scarlet Letter‚ she becomes independent. Isolated from everyone‚ Hester becomes
Premium The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne Romanticism
completely of separatists. The Scarlet Letter dramatizes the individualistic dimensions as this tendency of democracy that “relieve(s) the darkening close of a tale of human frailty and sorrow” (Hawthorne 29). The Puritans were a group of dissident voluntary exiles who sought to strengthen and reform the Christian community in England by leaving it—setting out across the sea for a New World‚ a New England that would furnish a model for reconstructing the old one. “The Scarlet Letter agrees with the doctrines
Premium United States Declaration of Independence United States Thomas Jefferson
The Scarlet Letter In the “Scarlet Letter” Nathaniel Hawthorne describes the consequences for sinning. The story takes place in a puritan community in Boston‚ Massachusetts in the 17th century. In the story the main character‚ Hester Prynne‚ commits adultery with the Reverend mr.Dimmsdale. As a result of their actions‚ Pearl is born. Hester is punished to wear the scarlet letter A‚ which stands for Adultery‚ on her breast. Hester’s husband‚ Roger Chillingworth‚ made her keep their marriage a
Premium Nathaniel Hawthorne The Scarlet Letter Short story
The Scarlet Letter – Guilt We would love to live in a world where all of us are perfect but the reality is that we are not perfect. All of us make mistakes or do something wrong but some of us are never caught‚ then that few have a choice to make; either to turn themselves in or live their life as if it never happened. The emotion one has when one either commits an act not accepted by the society or when he fails to do something required or expected is called Guilt. This emotion can be seen quite
Premium The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne Hester Prynne
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a prime example of an outside-in view of a society. It contrasts the nature of the puritan town of Boston against the wildness of a girl who grew up outside of the town‚ Pearl. In doing so he reveals a society that values dullness‚ intolerance‚ and suppressiveness. From the very beginning Pearl was different‚ she was a baby born from her parents sin. When her mother stood trial for her sin she was there. Even more then the titicular scarlet letter‚ Pearl
Premium Nathaniel Hawthorne The Scarlet Letter Hester Prynne