marriage. A reported 95% of Americans today have had premarital sex. In today’s society‚ premarital sex is not considered a sin to most people. In the 1800s‚ it was a different story. In the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne‚ Hester Prynne was found guilty of adultery‚ branded with a scarlet A‚ and shunned by the town--an extreme punishment by modern standards. This A that Hester was forced to embroider onto all of her clothing symbolized not only her sin‚ but the A also held meaning for
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and moralist might point‚” (71) Hester is burdened with overwhelming guilt in her isolated life within the authoritative society. As an act of atonement‚ Hester covers her hair with a cap‚ and her beauty and warmth are buried under the elaborate scarlet letter on her bosom. While Hester is deserved to be an outcast for her “evil doings‚” (57) the male sinner‚ who in fact is disclosed to be Reverend Dimmesdale‚ hides behind his deeds and suffer in silence but none of the criticisms are made on him. Hawthorne
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happens to make a mistake. Chris Herren and Hester Prynne both made a great mistake in their lives but it does not make them awful people. When Hester committed her sin she had to be punished. Wearing the letter A presented the symbolism of adultery. At first she felt uncomfortable wearing the letter A”. .I happened to place it on my breast....It seemed to me then‚ that I experienced a sensation not altogether physical‚ yet almost so‚ as of a burning heat” Pg 31. Hester soon accepted the fact that she
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Scarlet Letter Composition The Puritans’ beliefs in the 17th century were different than most of the citizens that live in this modern day society. The Puritan beliefs are based on the of the Church of England‚ but they purified the religion. The Scarlet Letter is based off the Puritans’ beliefs and the story of society that the Puritans lived in; some other critics observe that Nathaniel Hawthorne criticizes the Puritans society and their beliefs. When The Scarlet Letter was written the Author
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The role of Pearl in the Scarlet Letter This essay will be analysing the significance of the selected passage as well as emphasizing how this passage helps give the reader a more vivid insight to the lives of the protagonists of the Scarlet Letter as well as developing the plot further. The passage‚ taken from Chapter 16‚ “A Forest Walk‚” is illustrative of the role Pearl plays in the text. It is also an insight on the significance of the scarlet letter as a symbol. Pearl is aware of things that
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occurred. He further comments that even if that is not the reason‚ Hester may have been inclined to remain in Boston because her secret lover still lived there. Hester’s skill at needlework‚ earlier shown in the fine way that she displayed the scarlet letter‚ allows her to maintain a fairly stable lifestyle. However‚ her reputation as an outcast and loner causes a certain aura to be cast around her. Thus‚ Hawthorne points out that young children often crept up to her house to spy on her while she
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They were solely relegated to serve their husband and their household. Anne Hutchinson was a woman in that time period that rebelled against the traditional roles by standing up for her own thoughts. Hester Prynne‚ a fictional character in The Scarlet Letter‚ is a symbol of what Anne Hutchinson represents in Puritan history. Both women went against traditional beliefs and stood by them. Puritans believed in predestination which means Puritans believed “ in Jesus and participation in the sacraments
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The Scarlet Letter‚ Pearl is endowed with the proclivity to unveil the truth that shrouds the sinners of the Puritan society‚ especially those of Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale. Pearl‚ a product of two sinners’ passion‚ is cast aside from the harsh Puritan society‚ which envelops her in the utmost freedom that is neither confined by Puritan laws nor thinking. In truth‚ Pearl is able to induce philosophical insight into human nature through her connection and fascination with the scarlet letter
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The Scarlet Letter. It is safe to say that the scarlet letter A has had several meanings throughout this book. People have changed their opinions about this stigma. The scarlet letter‚ A can be interpreted in many different ways and can be seen in many different forms‚ too. The first and most obvious meaning of the letter "A" as it was written in the book is adultery. Then‚ as the chapters progress‚ the reader can see how people start to look at the A meaning “able” and not “adulterer”. Fast forward
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Sin and Forgiveness in The Scarlet Letter Hawthorne uses the theme of sin and forgiveness throughout The Scarlet Letter to portray the protagonists and antagonists of the story. Hawthorne uses comparative techniques through dark versus light‚ and nature versus civilization. With both of these he is giving underlying comparisons of sin and forgiveness. Hawthorne uses comparisons to show the reader that by having the inability to forgive‚ he/she is committing the sin of pride and is no better than
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