"TheScarletLetter"isastorythatillustratesthelifestyleofPuritansinMassachusettsin17th century.NathanielHawthornetakesthethemeofsincommittedbyHesterPrynnepriortoheraffair withArthurDimmesdaleandshowshowitaffectsthelivesofthepeopleinvolvedConvictedof adulterybyBoston'sPuritanleaders,sheisforcedtowearabrightred"A"asasymbolofadultery overherbreasttorepresentherwrongdoingtothetownspeople.Asaresultofthissinachildis born,namedPearl.Dimmesdalefeelshisguiltinthesharedsin,butheisunabletorevealthetruth. However,thesocietypunisheshimaswell.Thesocietyinwhichhelivedsuggestedhimthemoral valuesthatbecomethelawofhisinnerselfHavingshowmorecontent
Thegovernor,judges,priestsviewtheissueofHesterPrynneasacausetothreatenallpotential sinnersintown.So,sheisledthroughthecrowdtothescaffoldofthepillorythatrepresentsa symbolofpublicshameThecrowdsofpeopleapprovetheseverityandstrictnessoftheauthorities; moreover,oneofthewomenaffirmsthatHesterdeservesthedeath.Nevertheless,thesocietyisalso sinful.ThemagicscarletsignhelpsHesterdiscoversinnersfromthecrowd.>Consequently, HesterPrynneisisolatedfromsociety.Sheconsidersherexileasthegreatesttragedy.However, Hawthornedemonstrateshowsufferingandlonelinesshardenherwill.Insteadofescapingfrom society,Hesterhelpsandmakesgoodtothepeoplewhopunishedherseverely>In"TheScarlet Letter";Hawthorneusessymbolstosupplythemeaningofhiswork.Theexampleofthisisthe symboloftheforest.Itplaysanimportantroleinthebook.Hawthornmentionsveryoftenthatthe forestknowsahiddensecret.ThatinducesthereadertosupposethattheHester'ssiniscommitted there.SheandArthurfeelthemselvescomfortableandtotallyfreeastheyarewalkingintheforest becausethelawsofsocietyhavenoforcethereThatistheplacewheretheycanfleefromsociety andshowtheirlove,butthemostimportantisthattheycanrevealthetruthtoeachother,not embarrassingofwhothey
...Getmorecontent...
TheScarletLetterisabookthatisfulloflifelessons.Withtheintentionofteachingtheselessons, NathanielHawthorne'sShowstheimportancesocietyhasonsomeone,andthedifferentwaysgrief, shame,hateandconfusioncanaffectyou.IntheScarletLetterHesterPrynneisoneofthemain charactersthatfacesmanychallengesandsetbacks.Thereareseveralothercharacterswhoalsoface someofthesamechallengesItisHesterwhofindsherselftobeastrongindependentwomanWith thetownspeoplediscriminatingherbecauseofthelettershewearsonherchestfromhersinshe committed,shelearnsafewlessonsfromthesedarktimesofherlife.Hestermanagestofindways tobecomeindependentandliveseparatelyfromhercommunityandsocietyHesterfindsawayto redefinethescarletletterthatliesonherchestasthetownspeoplejudgedher.Andlastly,Hester somehowmanagestofindsomehappinessoutofherdarklife.It'snotonlyhesterthatusesthese eventsasalesson,NathanielHawthorneusesHestertoshowtheoutcomeofseparatingherselffrom societyandsuccessfullylivingindependently.
ThereareseveralexamplesofHesterusingthecursedletterthatliesonherchestasalessonforher andherdaughterPearl.Inthebeginning,Hester'sonlychoicewastoliveindependently.Everyday wasadayHetserdreadedbecauseofthepublicshameshedealtwithasshestoodonthescaffold withtheletterAonherchest.Hesterwasdescribedas ...Getmorecontent...
Throughoutthenovel,TheScarletLetterbyNathanielHawthorne,therearemanythemes.These themesarelove,guilt,andidentity.Love,however,isthethemethatisseenineverychapterasit caneasilyberelatedtotheothertwo.Loveiseverywhereandsometimesitcangetpeopleinto trouble.ThetwomaincharactersinTheScarletLetter,HesterPrynneandArthurDimmesdale figurethisoutveryquicklyHesterPrynnemovedtoBoston,Massachusettsverysoonafterher marriage.Theauthordoesnotgiveusthenameofherhusband.Thereadersoonfoundoutheisthe antagonistofthestoryandgoesbythenameofRogerChillingworth.HesterlivedinBostonfortwo yearsbeforeRogerhadcameEveryonepresumedhewasdead,includingHester,soshemovedon HesterbecameinterestedinthetownreverendArthurDimmesdale.ArthurandHesterhadanaffair whichendedoutwithHestergettingpregnant.Thepeopleofthetown,eventhoughtheythoughther husbandtobedead,calledheroutofshowmorecontent
ThiscanbeshownthroughthelovethatHesterhasforPearl.ShelovesPearlwithallofherheart butshesometimesquestionswhatPearlisbecauseofsomeofthethingsshedoessuchasscreeching attheotherchildrenorreferringtoDimmesdaleastheBlackMan.WhenPearlandHesterhaveto gointotownforthemeetingwiththegovernor,DimmesdaleultimatelyhelpsoutHesterby convincingthegovernorthatsheisafitmotherforPearl.ThisactshowsDimmesdale'slovefor thembuthecan'tcomeoutandsayit,whichcauseshimtohaveconstantinternalconflictsabout revealinghistrueidentityornotLastly,whenHesterhasbeenbanishedandforcedtowearthe scarletletter,sheisconstantlyridiculedbypeopleofthetown.Afterdealingwiththisforsometime, shedecidestohelpthepeopleofthetown.Hesterhelpsthepeopleofthetownoutofthekindnessof herheartandtotryandfindoutwhoshe
...Getmorecontent...
AmericanLiterature
18September2015TheScarletLetterTheScarletLetterhadanumberofthemes,butthethemethat isbeinganalyzedis"ChildasareflectionoftheParent"Inthisbook,Pearl,whoisthedaughterof HesterPrynne,isverycuriousaboutthescarlet"A"thathermotherisveryquietabout.Sheasksso manyquestionsandhermothergivessomayanswerstowhereshefiguredoutwhatitmeans.Pearl isanumberofthingsthatmakeupHesterAccordingtoHester"Sheismyhappiness!–sheismy torturenonetheless!Pearlkeepsmehereinlife!Pearlpunishesmetoo!Seeyenot,sheisthe scarletletter,onlycapableofbeingloved"(Hawthorne,90).HesterbelievesthatPearlwill probablyshowmorecontent
Foraministerhekeepsalotofsecretsandhidesalotofguilt.Throughoutthebookhisguiltgrows. HestartstoactdifferentlyandalotofpeoplenoticedInchapter12thenarratorpredictsthathislife iscomingtoanendverysoonandsays"TheReverendDimmesdalenotedalltheseminute particulars,evenwhilefirmlyconvincedthatdoomofhisexistencewasstealingonward,inthe footstepswhichhenowheard;andthatthegleamofthelanternwouldfalluponhim,inafew momentsmore,andrevealhislong–hiddensecret."(Hawthorne,
...Getmorecontent...
VengeanceinTheScarletLetter
Vengeanceistheactofrecoveringjusticebyforcingtheopposingindividualtoenduresame punishmentorexceedafarmoreharshconsequencethanthevictim.Peopleoftentrytoobtain revengeuponothersforthewrongreasonsduetofactthattheybelievetheactionsorsinsofanother personhaveaffectedthevictiminanegativeway.TheScarletLetter,writtenbyNathaniel Hawthorne,usestherelentlesscharacter,Mr.RogerChillingworth,todescribetheresultofbeing resentfulandunforgivingtohiswifessecretlover,ReverendDimmesdaleTheScarletLetteralso vividlydescribeshowChillingworthbecameselfabsorbedwithvengeanceandhowvengeance changeshisphysicalappearance.showmorecontent
Theharshtownspeopleforceheruponthescaffoldtobehumiliatedinfrontofthewholetown.Not onlyisshesentuponthescaffoldwithhersinrevealedbythe"A"foreveryonetosee,Hester becomesanexampleofwhatawomanshouldnotcometobeTheauthoristalkingaboutHesters experienceonthescaffoldandherpregnancy,"Throughoutthemall,givingupherindividuality,she wouldbecomethegeneralsymbolatwhichthepreacherandmoralistmightpoint,andinwhichthey mightvivifyandembodytheirimagesofwoman'sfrailtyandsinfulpassion"(32).Hesterloosesher individualityandislabeledbythetownspeopleandknownfortheScarletLetter.Further,the townspeoplesingledheroutasanalienoroutcastofthetownforcinghertoliveanabnormallive Shewasridiculedandknownforheronesin,unabletohaveacceptancebackintosociety.Although thetownspeoplefeelasifHesterhasbroughtsinupontherelives,sheclearlyhavenotharmedany ofthetownspeoplephysically,andtheyhavenogroundstopunishHesterThecauseofthe townspeople'sharshdisciplinaryactsonHesteroriginatesfromastrict,unrealisticstandardsof puritansocietyandthezerotoleranceofanyungodlybehaviorobservedinthetown.Duetothe absenceofproperjustice,Hester'ssentencingisleftuptotheharshtownspeopleinwhichtheyshow nomercyor
...Getmorecontent...
Everygreatstoryhasatleastonetheme,acentralideathatthestory'seventsmakethereaderthink aboutdeeply.Thesethemesarelikethefoundationofthestory,givingthereadersomesolidground tostandonasthetaleunfolds.Whilesomestoriesmaycontainmanythemes,theyallneedatleast onetogivethemapurposeanddirection.SeveralthemesappearinNathanielHawthorne'snovel TheScarletLetter,includingthoseofconsequencesforsin,sympathy,andthenatureofevil,andas aresult,thebooktakesongreatermeaningbecauseitencouragesreaderstostudyandinterpret thosethemes.
ThemostapparentandrecurringthemeinTheScarletLetteristhatsinandconsequencesare unavoidablyconnected,showmorecontent
ThejudgeisnottheonlypersontoshowsympathyforHester;herhusband,despitehisplotfor revenge,isalsomercifulwhenhelearnsaboutherdisloyalty.InsteadofhavingHesterseverely punished,hetakespityonherandgivesherchildmedicinetohelpitheal(Hawthorne)Thisactof sympathyisoneofthemosttouchingexamplesinthenovelbecauseHester'shusbandchoosesto pityhereventhoughhehasthelegalrighttopunishHesterandcouldjustletherbabydieoutof hatredorjealousy.ThemostimportantexampleofsympathyinthenovelisthesympathyHester doesnotreceivefromthetownspeoplewhoshunherbecauseofhersin.Itisthislackof sympathythatcausesDimmesdale'sinternaltormentandeventualdeathaswellasHester'sremoval fromsocietyandthepovertythatfollows.Bothinitspresenceanditsabsence,thethemeof sympathyisacrucialpartofTheScarletLetter
ThroughoutHawthorne'snovel,theideathatevilispartofhumannatureisinvestigatedinorderto discoverwhatitisthatcausesevilandwhyitexists.AconversationaboutHesterPrynne'ssin betweenatownsmanandadisguisedChillingworthrevealstheideathatevilispartofhuman natureThetownsmantellsChillingworthabouthowHesterwassenttoBostonbyherhusbandand "lefttoherownmisguidance,"andChillingworthinstantlyknowsexactly
...Getmorecontent...
SignificanceofTitle:ThetitlesignifiesthescarletletteronHester'sbodicerepresentsthatshe committedsin(adultery)
SignificantAuthorfacts(style,themes):NathanielHawthornedisplayedhissimilaritywiththe narrator,theymayhavedifferentopinionsbutthereaderscanimagineHawthorneasthenarrator
Majortheme:thebookmainlyfocusesonwhatpeople'ssinscanleadto.Sinissin,itdoesnotmatter whatanindividualdidtheywillbepunishedeitherwayThepeopleinSalembelievedthatonceyou sinyouareterribleperson.Attheend,Dimmesdaletaughtthepeoplethatpeoplecommitsins whoeveryouare.
Minorthemes:Chillingworth'scharacterissurroundedwithvengeance.Revengeishismotivationto liveThewayHawthornedisplayswomenshowmorecontent Also,thenarratorvoicesitsopinionaboutthecharacters.
3sentenceplotsummary:Hestercheatedonherhusbandthereforelabeledasanadulteressandalso criticizedbythepublic.Peoplearecuriouswhoisthefatherofherchildanditturnsoutitwasthe priest,whoisconsumedbyguiltHerhusband,Chillingworth,justwantedrevengeonHesterand Dimmesdale.
Symbols(1–3andhowtheyareused):thescarletletter(itsymbolizesthesinofadulteryand Hester'spunishment.ItissupposetomakeHesterfeelliketheworseperson,butHestermanageto makeitworkforherandsomepeopleevenchangedthemeaningoftheletterto"Able"atsome point.),pearl(sherepresentstheconsequenceofsinandHesternamedPearlthroughsomebiblical story),themeteor(itissomesupernaturalwarningmaybefromGodtowardsDimmesdaleabouthis sin)
3quotes:"Ifthoufeelestittobeforthysoul'speace,andthatthyearthlypunishmentwilltherebybe mademoreeffectualtosalvation,Ichargetheetospeakoutthenameofthyfellow–sinnerand
...Getmorecontent...
InTheScarletLetter,writtenbyNathanielHawthorne,thestoryrevolvesaroundthelivesandthe eventsofthefollowingcharacters:HesterPrynne,whoisthemotherofanillegitimatechildwiththe ReverendArthurDimmesdaleandisnowbeingoutcastedbyherPuritancommunitybecauseofit; theReverendArthurDimmesdalewhoisthecharmingministerof17thcenturyBoston,thefatherof anillegitimatechildandhasnothadhissinrevealed;thenthere'sRogerChillingworthwhoisthe estrangedhusbandofHesterPrynnewhohasgivenupalife–longpursuitofknowledgeinexchange foroneofrevengeandevil.Allofthesemaincharactersareimportanttothestoryofthescarlet letter,buttheonewhoarguablyhasthemostimportantandshowmorecontent Pearl'srelevanceinthenovelcouldbeinitiallymistakenfornothingmorethanasidecharacterand aminordetail,butafterreadingtheentirestoryitbecomesclearjusthowcrucialherroleis.Pearl's existenceisthesolereasonforthisstorytoevenexist,forwithoutherexistence,therewouldnever havebeenanyevidenceorreasonforHesterPrynnetobeoutedforadulterybyherBostonPuritan communityAsaresult,ArthurDimmesdalewouldhavecontinuedtoliveouttherestofhisdaysas thebelovedministerwithouttheoverwhelmingguilt,andRogerChillingworthwouldhavemost likelycontinuedtopursueknowledgeorHesterPrynne.But,Pearldoesexistandsodoesthestory ofthescarletletter,makingherthesinglemostimportantaspectofthe
...Getmorecontent...
InTheScarletLetter,thestoryismostlyabouthumanscommittingasinandtheconsequencesthat follow.Thethemespublicguiltvs.privateguiltandnaturevs.societyexpressesthestory'smain idea.NathanielHawthorneusescharacterdevelopment,settingdevelopment,andsequenceofevents tosupportthethemes.Heconveysthethemesbyusingtone,symbolismandwordchoice.Themain charactersthataretheepitomeofthesethemes,areHesterPrynne,Pearl,andArthurDimmesdale Thethemepublicguiltvs.privateguiltexplainsthemainpurposeinTheScarletLetterbyshowing thedifferencebetweenshamingsomeoneinpublicandenablinghimorhertoendurethe repercussionsoftheiractionsprivatelyForexample,intheshowmorecontent
Thesettingishishouse,whichfurthersthenotionthathepunisheshimselfinprivate.Also,when Dimmesdaleisonthescaffold,heshowstheamountofagonyandself–hatredheisabletoobscure. Dimmesdale'scharacterdevelopsthroughhisguiltbecausehehideshissinandbearstheweightof it,whichmakeshimanintriguingandstrongcharacter.However,Dimmesdale'sguilteventually consumeshimthroughoutthestory,whichleadshimtohiseventualdeath
Secondly,anotherimportantthemeinTheScarletLetterisnaturevs.society.Inthenovel,natureis perceivedasapureandfreeplace,whilethesocietyisseenascorruptandcruel.Pearldemonstrates thattheburdenofsocietycanbeconqueredwithnature.SincePearlisknownasthechildofan adulteress,sheseeksanescapefromthesocietyandfindssolaceinnature.Overthecourseofthe novel,PearlstartstoidentifybetterwithnaturethansocietyAlso,Hawthorneusesalightertone whentalkingaboutPearl.Forexample,"Pearlsetforthatagreatpace...lightlingeredaroundthe lonelychildasifgladofsuchaplaymate."(Hawthorne166)ThisquoteshowshowPearlcharacter developsintoherownpersonbybeingherself
Moreover,Hesterrepresentsthethemenaturevs.societytoo.Hawthorneusesadetachedtoneto showthelackofcompassionthePuritanshadforHester.Thispromptshertolookforasenseof securityand
...Getmorecontent...
PuritanAmericaisknownforit'sharshandexcessivepunishments,strictrestrictionsanduniform laws.NathanielHawthorne,authorofTheScarletLetter,portraystheAmericanDreamasbeing somewhatachievableinthosetimesbecausethethreemaincharactersmostlyachievedtheirgoals, exceptthesuspiciousphysician,RogerChillingworth.Thethreemaincharacters,HesterPrynne, RogerChillingworth,andArthurDimmesdaleallhaveaspirationsthatfitthedefinitionofthe Americandream:ifhardworkisputin,goalsarealwaysattainable.ReverendDimmesdale,an individualwhohasprovedtheAmericanDreambyaccomplishinghisverysmall,butimportant goalDuringtheyearsafterthetrialofHesterPrynne,theminister'sdreamistheshowmore content...
Butintheend,heobtainedwhathetrulylongedforunlikeRogerChillingworth.Ontheless fortunatesideoftheAmericanDreamspectrum,thecheatedon'Physician'facesmajordefeatin tryingtoaccomplishhisdesiresinlife,suchasgettingrevengeormakinglifedifficultforHester andDimmesdaleinconsequenceoftheirsinfulandheartbreakingactsagainsthismarriage Chillingworthwasnotabletoachievehisgoalsbecausethepersonhewantedtokillhappenstokill himself.Inadditiontohisdefeat,healsocollectsablessingfromthemanhehatesmostand realizes,"Withablank,dullcountenance,outofwhichthelifeseemedtohavedeparted."
(Hawthorne175)Toillustratethescene,thephysicianhasfeltlikeallthehardworkhehasdonehas beenlost,whichdoesn'tsupportthehisAmericanDreamButbacktotheachievers,HesterPrynne isoneofthestrongestcharactersinthenovelbecauseshe
...Getmorecontent...
Identitycanbeconstruedasthedifferentiatingcharacterorpersonalityofanindividual.Inthe gothicromancenovel,TheScarletLetter,NathanielHawthornetellsataleofsinina17thcentury PuritancommunityandexploresthethemeofidentityincharactersHesterPrynne,PearlPrynne, ArthurDimmesdaleandRogerChillingworth.Throughoutthenovel,Hester,Pearl,Arthurand RogercopewiththeconsequencesofpublicandprivateshameInNathanielHawthorne'sThe ScarletLetter,thethemeofidentityisubiquitousasRogerChillingworth,HesterPrynne,Pearl PrynneandArthurDimmesdaleallformnewidentitiesastheycopewiththeconsequencesofsin. InTheScarletLetter,RogerChillingworthchangesfromafreelanceintellectualtoanestranged physicianasfeelingsofrevengecontrolhislife.ChillingworthneglectedhismarriagewithHester andtheconsequencesendeduphavinganeffectonbothoftheiridentities.InChapter15,Hester statesheropiniononChillingworth:"Hebetrayedme!HehasdonemeworsewrongthanIdid him!"(159).InHester'seyes,Chillingworth'sactionschangedherperspectiveonlifeasheisthe solereasonshesinnedinthefirstplaceHestercopedwithalifechangewhileChillingworthcoped withrevengeasageneraleffectofChillingworth'sneglect.RogerChillingworthwasphysicallyand emotionallyconsumedbyhisyearslongplansforrevengeonReverendDimmesdale.InChapter14, RogerChillingworthsaysthisoftheReverendtoHester:"Yea...betterhadhedied...tobetortured withfrightfuldreams...perpetualpoisonofthedirestrevenge!"(155).Inthisquote,weseethat Chillingworth'sangerhasturnedhisvileactionsintowordsashediscussesthepoisoningand brainwashingheforcesDimmesdaletoendureonadailybasis.Chillingworthallowedjealousyand guiltcontrolhislifeuntiliteventuallyended.Chillingworth's'revengeendedupkillinghiminthe endsincehisplansworkedandDimmesdalediedonthescaffoldinwhichHesterlivedoutherdaily punishments.RogerwasultimatelyresponsibleforthedestructionofthelivesofHester, Dimmesdaleandhimself.
HesterPrynne'sidentitychangeisperhapsthemostprevalentasthescarletletter'A'
...Getmorecontent...
TheScarletLetterIntroductionTheScarletLetterisaclassictaleofsin,punishment,andrevenge.It waswrittenin1850bythefamousAmericanauthorNathanielHawthorne.Itdocumentsthelivesof threetragiccharacters,eachofwhomsuffergreatlybecauseofhisorhersins.ShotPlotThestory beginswithHesterPrynne,aresidentofasmallPuritancommunity,beingledfromthetown jailhousetoapublicscaffoldwhereshemuststandforthreehoursaspunishmentforadulteryShe mustalsowearascarletAonherdressfortherestofherlifeaspartofherpunishment.Assheisled tothescaffold,manyofthewomeninthecrowdcomplainthat...showmorecontent...
WhenChillingworthasksHestertheidentityofherlover,sherefusestoanswerBecauseofthis, Chillingworthmakesherpromisenevertorevealthatheisherhusband.AfterHesterisreleased fromprison,shegoestoliveinasmallcottageattheedgeoftown.Afterafewyears,peoplebegin tonoticethatherdaughter,Pearl,behavesverystrangely,andtheythreatentotakeherawayfrom Hester.HestertakesPearltoGovernorBellingham'smansionplanningtopleadfortherighttokeep herdaughterAtthemansionsheismetbythegovernorandhisthreeguests,ReverendWilson, ReverendDimmesdale,andRogerChillingworth.ReverendDimmesdaleconvincesthegovernorto allowHestertokeepPearl.Chillingworth,whohasbeenlivingwithReverendDimmesdalesincehis arrivalintown,beginstosuspectthatReverendDimmesdaleisthefatherofPearl.Oneevening whileDimmesdaleissleeping,ChillingworthexaminesDimmesdale'schestandfindssomething whichconfirmshissuspicionFromthismomenton,Chillingworthdevoteshimselftoseeking revenge.Onenight,Dimmesdaleissotormentedbyhisconsciencethathegoesandstandsonthe scaffoldthatHesterhadstoodonsevenyearsearlier.Asheisstandingthere,heseesHesterand PearlwalkbyandhecallsthemontothescaffoldwithhimAfterheacknowledgeshisguilttothem, agiantredA
...Getmorecontent...
Feminismisoneofmanywidely,talkedabouttopicsthatstillgoesontothisday.Feminismisa rangeofpolitical,ideologies,andsocialmovementsthatarmstoachievepolitical,economic, personal,andsocialequalityforallsexes.InthebookTheScarletLetter,byNathanielHawthorne, theauthorisportrayedasoneofthefirstauthorstowriteanovelthatdealtwithfeminismNathaniel Hawthorne,TheScarletLetter,isapieceoffeministwritingTheindependentcharacterHester portrayedheractionsasafeministwomaninthishypocriticalsociety.
TheScarletLetterisapieceoffeministwritingformanyreasons.Onereasonofwhichisthatthe mainprotagonist,HesterisshownasastrongwomanthatcouldmakeherowndecisionsFor example,intext3,"Theadulteryshecommitted......ofthetitle"exposestheconsequenceofhersin thatsheacteduponherfeelingofloveforDimmesdale.Hestersimplyrealizedthatshe'safree woman,becauseherhusbandisnowheretobefoundafterbeinglostatseaandpresumeddead.The characteristicsofafeministwererevealedthroughHester.Hestersimplyexposedherbodyto someoneshesensedascompassionateandrealisticasDimmesdaleHesterasawomaniscaringand compassionatebyexcposingherfeelings,awareoftheconsequencesbutshestillfollowsherheart. Manywomaninhersocietyfailedtodoso,sincetheyareinfearofthehorriblepunishmentsthey willface.
TheScarletLetterisalsoportrayedasan
...Getmorecontent...