this scaffold constituted a portion of a penal machine … It was‚ in short‚ the platform of the pillory; and above it rose the framework of that instrument of discipline‚ … no outrage more flagrant than to forbid the culprit to hide his face for shame; as it was the essence of this punishment to do. In Hester Prynne’s instance… her sentence bore that she should stand a certain time upon the platform‚ …” (Hawthorne 38-39). In other words‚ Hester was isolated from the Puritan society. They treated
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her in front of the crowd and the irony of the situation. While she is standing on the pedestal‚ she is clutching Pearl “closely to her bosom.” This is ironic because‚ though she is covering the A‚ Pearl also represents the sin‚ so “one token of her shame… poorly serve[d] to hide” the other. When the
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throughout the novel "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Hester Prynne‚ through the eyes of the Puritans‚ is an extreme sinner; she has gone against the Puritan ways‚ committing adultery. For this irrevocably harsh sin‚ she must wear a symbol of shame for the rest of her life. From the beginning‚ we see that Hester Prynne is a young and beautiful woman who has brought a child into the world with an unknown father. She is punished by Puritan society by wearing the scarlet letter A on the bosom of
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Pearl‚ the mark is a mysterious curiosity. To Chillingworth‚ the "A" is his chance to get revenge on Dimmesdale. Later‚ the letter symbolizes "Able" when Hester wins some respect from the townspeople. The scarlet letter is meant to be a symbol of shame‚ but instead it becomes a powerful symbol of identity to Hester. The letter’s meaning shifts as time passes. Originally intended to mark Hester as an adulterer‚ the "A" eventually comes to stand for "Able." Finally‚ it becomes indeterminate: the Native
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How can a sin change a life? In the Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne‚ Hester’s sin of adultery is well known. Forced to stand in front of the community for one day to be publically shamed‚ Hester held her head high. However‚ her shame does not end there. Although people begin to get used to Hester in their community and even begin to accept her‚ Hester has changed. The constant humiliation has driven her to hide behind her embarrassment‚ and she is therefore distinguished by it. In the passage
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Throughout the mid 1600’s‚ there was a short time when the Puritan religion ruled over the recently founded New England. Nathaniel Hawthorne‚ a strict anti-transcendentalist‚ expresses different themes in his book‚ The Scarlet Letter. In his novel‚ The Scarlet Letter‚ Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the symbolism of the scarlet letter‚ the scaffold‚ and Pearl to contribute to the overall theme of sin. Firstly‚ the sin that traps Dimmesdale‚ shows as a habit of a hand covering his chest‚ later revealing
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Hester decides to confess to Dimmesdale Roger’s true identity‚ and although he is initially reluctant‚ he is able to forgive her. They plan an escape together‚ in which they would be able to start anew‚ with no feeling of shame or guilt; however‚ Pearl is not willing to embrace‚ or even accept‚ the reverend because he will not acknowledge them in public. On Election Day‚ Dimmesdale delivers an emotionally intense speech‚ which many praise‚ making many admire him for his holiness
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death to civilized society Letter A it symbolizes Hester’s pride‚ it is seen to mean able by the townspeople‚ its a symbol of growth to Hester‚ it also symbolizes mockery with the gold thread. By embroidering the letter‚ Hester transforms a badge of shame into a symbol of individuality. The narrator connects the letter to nature with the word "fertile." Sunlight Truth and purity Hester told Pearl she could never offer her sunlight Scaffold Open acknowledgement of sin Hester stands on the scaffold
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reputation and he knows this will destroy it. However‚ Hester is not so worried about her reputation. She knows she can not hide the fact she is pregnant so she decides to embrace it. "In a moment‚ however‚ wisely judging that one token of her shame would but poorly serve to hide another‚ she took the baby on her arm‚ and‚ with a burning blush‚ and yet a haughty smile‚ and a glance that would not be abashed‚ looked around at her townspeople and neighbors. On the breast of her gown‚ in fine red
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While exploring the power of love and‚ manipulating people’s emotions the Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne was written on the battle of someone who was convicted of being a sinner living in a puritan society. The Scarlet Letter was a very influential novel because it was like a change in time‚ because it’s so different from what we see today. The story talks about Hester who committed adultery and instead of giving her the punishment of death she got the leeway of public humiliation. Throughout
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