Nathaniel Hawthorne chose such a controversial topic as adultery for The Scarlet Letter‚ his nineteenth century novel of "seventeenth century sexual repression and hypocrisy"‚ demonstrates a delicate yet changing climate with regard to infidelity. Historically‚ carrying on an adulterous affair back in such an era of Puritanism and traditional values was not taken lightly; in fact‚ by today’s standards‚ such horrific treatment for what is now considered an everyday occurrence was harsher than murders
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Arthur: Tragic Hero or Merely Tragic? In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s torrid tale of The Scarlet Letter‚ Arthur Dimmesdale‚ a main character‚ is confronted with a number of circumstances‚ both in and out of his control‚ that lead to his ultimate demise. While it can be argued that Arthur is a tragic hero‚ he lacks the underlying goodness and strength essential for him to fulfill this role. Otherwise‚ it may be demonstrated that Arthur meets all the criteria as a tragic hero‚ though there are other discrepancies
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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
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Sin and knowledge are linked in the Judeo-Christian tradition. The Bible begins with the story of Adam and Eve‚ who were expelled from the Garden of Eden for eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. As a result of their knowledge‚ Adam and Eve are made aware of their humanness‚ that which separates them from the divine and from other creatures. Once expelled from the Garden of Eden‚ they are forced to toil and to procreatetwo "labors" that seem to define the human condition. The experience
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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
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novel‚ The Scarlet Letter‚ is driven by the theme of vengeance. That is to say that‚ the acts of retaliation played out by Hawthorne’s characters in response to the intense pain inflicted upon them by the consequences of sin moves the story chapter by chapter from Hester Prynne’s imprisonment a lifetime later. By the story’s conclusion‚ the characters are exposed for who they really are‚ which in some cases is the very opposite from what the reader first assumed. Vengeance causes The Scarlet Letter’s
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Dimmesdale: Pains of Love‚ Spirit‚ and Violence How can one be assigned the title of suffering the most? This is a complicated question presented in the book‚ The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The Scarlet Letter is a book that revolves around a sinner named Hester Prynne‚ a minister‚ Arthur Dimmesdale‚ a physician‚ Roger Chillingworth‚ and a little girl named Pearl. Hester and Dimmesdale are both who has committed adultery; however‚ the story starts with Hester being a woman who is branded
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The passage selected for me to analyze is from The Scarlet Letter‚ “The Pastor and His Parishioner.” I believe Hawthorne has written this passage to show the instant connection between Hester and Dimmesdale. After reading the brief passage‚ one can make the assumption of how Chillingworth and Hester are secluded from the world‚ but so close to each other. This is shown through many literary devices such as‚ extended metaphors‚ imagery‚ and diction. You may be saying to yourself‚ “What is an extended
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What information is Master Dimmesdale expected to obtain from Hester? 7. Why is it his responsibility? 1. Paraphrase Dimmesdale’s speech that begins " ’Hester Prynne‚’ said he‚ leaning over the balcony." 2. What is Hester’s response? 3. The Puritan life was centered on God and religion. The pastor of a congregation was as responsible for his attendants as a shepherd was for his sheep. Consider Dimmesdale’s reaction to Hester’s response. Why would Dimmesdale react in such a way? Does
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The Scarlet Letter’s Biggest Sinner According to the Bible‚ the Devil sought more power than he already had. He wanted the power that God has. When he wages war and loses‚ he is thrown to hell‚ but his hunger for power never ceases. He punishes people for their sin to gain more power and pleasure. The Devil is‚ nevertheless‚ the worst sinner‚ and a parallel is drawn to Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. In his novel‚ Hawthorne presents the reader with three sinners: Hester‚ Dimmesdale‚ and Chillingsworth
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