In the mid-1800’s Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote the book The Scarlet Letter. A novel about an early American Puritan village. In the book the main character, Hester Prynne, committed a major sin, adultery. The novel focuses directly around this sin. Through writing The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne revealed his opinions of the nature of sin and the effects sin has on the sinner and those around them.
In the beginning of the book Hester Prynne had committed adultery and had a baby because of it which caused people to look down upon her and they made her wear a scarlet A on her clothes to show that she committed adultery. Hester instantly regretted the decision she made, but she never knew how this decision could impact her life for the better. She became emotionally stronger, she became a wiser and
The Impact Of the Scarlet Letter Throughout the 18th century, Transcendentalist novelists used many symbols in their works. Nathaniel Hawthorne is a prime example, using symbols like he does in The Scarlet Letter. He introduces a character named Hester Prynne, who wears a letter "A" on her chest which is called the "Scarlet Letter." She wears this letter symbolizing the sin she made by committing adultery. This scarlet letter alienates her from society because people see her as a sinner, but the interpretation that the reader has of the symbols is what Nathaniel Hawthorne was trying to convey.
The Scarlet Letter is an excellent example of how the power of a symbol can be enough for a person to change for better or for worse. In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, one of the main characters, Hester, is punished by wearing a scarlet letter “A” as a symbol for the sin of adultery she committed. This novel documents how a small, red symbol can affect someone and how that person changes as a result of it. Throughout the book, Hester visibly changes as a result of the scarlet letter not only mentally, but also physically. In The Scarlet Letter, the scarlet letter changes Hester not only internally changes Hester’s thoughts and actions, but also physically changes Hester’s appearance into a dark, gloomy character.
The people in the crowd are described as cold and “a people amongst whom religion and law were almost identical.” (47) The description of the people portrays Puritanism as a religion of punishment and without forgiveness, no matter what the penalty. The women in this scene abhor Hester and view her as a malefactress who “has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die.” (49) 2. Hester Prynne is described as a beautiful, tall, young, elegant, graceful, brunette, and ladylike. Her most dominant characteristic is the scarlet letter embroidered on her bosom, reflecting how her sin is the only thing the Puritans see when they look at her. 3.
The book The Scarlet Letter by Nathanial Hawthorne has symbolism all throughout it. People and objects are symbolic of events and thoughts. Throughout the book, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses Hester, Pearl, and Arthur Dimmesdale to signify philosophies that are evident during this time period. Hester Prynne, through the eyes of the Puritans, is an extreme sinner; she has gone against their ways, committing adultery. For this sin, she must wear a symbol of shame for the rest of her life.
In today’s society, humans look down on each other for their wrongdoings. These wrongs include adultery and acting as a coward. In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne depicts society’s oppressive actions toward Hester Prynne because she committed adultery; as well as Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale’s internal struggle against his own cowardliness. Hester is shunned and looked down upon because of her sin, just as women in today’s society are for committing the same act. Dimmesdale is petrified of speaking up and owning his wrongdoings; Dimmesdale sees himself as a coward, just as men in the same predicament feel.
Hester Prynne, The Scarlet Letter’s protagonist, is a strong, kind, and proud yet humble woman. Through all of the struggles in her difficult lifetime, she persevered and did her best to make up for her sins. Hester raised her illegitimate child to be a wonderful, upstanding person without the help of her male counterpart. She taught Pearl the difference between right and wrong. Hester used her sin as a lesson to her daughter to learn from your mistakes, but not to let them define who you are.
Everyone makes mistakes, but it is what people do with their lives after the mistake that define them. In The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester Prynne changes throughout the novel physically and mentally. The letter “A” on Hester’s chest helps Hester grow into a better person. The “A” gives Hester Prynne confidence; she does not let her mistake define her. The “A” gives her courage because she stays in Boston even though everyone hates her.
In Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" the story is a profusion of symbols, hidden lies, and sin. The protagonist is Hester Prynne, a beautiful young woman who is oppressed for her infidelity and has to wear a crimson letter 'A'. This letter not only represents she is an adulterer, but is a constant reminder of her diminishing reputation and the loss of acceptance in the puritan community. Hester gets pregnant and as result a beautiful baby named Pearl is born.The illegitimate daughter also has a father. Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale is perceived as a man of God, but shares the same sin as Hester.