Sin In Nathaniel Hawthorne's 'The Scarlet Letter'
Sanil Chawla
Ms. Nina LaRosa
English 11H, Period 5
9 January 2017
Response to Sin
Sin is nearly inevitable. Whether by just a lie or by a grand theft, almost everyone succumbs to sin at some time or another. In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the power of sin on an individual is thoroughly examined. By contrasting Hester’s internal development that results from her persecution with Dimmesdale’s internal deterioration that results from his secrecy, Hawthorne shows that one’s response to sin has far greater effects than sin itself.
Facing the adversity that resulted from her sin rather than hiding from it led Hester to become a stronger person. In describing Hester’s decision to remain in Boston, Hawthorne explains that “Here…had
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A revered preacher with a great reputation, Dimmesdale is generally considered a saint by the townspeople. Thus, he understands that confessing his sin of adultery will not only destroy his reputation, but also wreak havoc in the Puritan society of Boston. However, his value for morality clashes with the consequences of confession, and leads to constant internal conflict that leaves Dimmesdale in turmoil. Hawthorne crafts Dimmesdale and Hester to exist in nearly exact opposite states: Hester’s openness and acceptance of her sin means she can repent her sin and redeem herself, but Dimmesdale’s lack of responsibility and cowardice results in years of pent up guilt that physically affect Dimmesdale, shown prominently in the deterioration of his physical health throughout the course of the novel. The effects of this guilt are also present when Dimmesdale sees the meteor in the night—while most saw it signifying Governor Winthrop’s passing, Dimmesdale’s heavy conscience skews his vision and causes him to view it as a sign of his Adultery.
In the development and deterioration of Hester and Dimmesdale, respectively, Hawthorne emphasizes that one’s response to sin is much more important than sin itself. By owning up to her mistakes and attempting redemption, Hester is able to develop into a saintly figure, while
Who Is Dimmesdale's Decay In The Scarlet Letter
417 Words | 2 Pages“And the infectious poison of that sin had been thus rapidly diffused throughout his moral system” (Hawthorne 174). In The Scarlet Letter, Dimmesdale serves as the holiest person many people meet in their moral lifetime, and as the purest embodiment of God’s word. However, Dimmesdale has a wounding secret, a cancer, that tears his soul apart throughout his time in America. Dimmesdale falls prey to sin in a moment of passion with Hester, resulting in her condemnation by the townspeople, and the birth of their child, Pearl. For years, Dimmesdale’s life is defined by an internal conflict - his job demands his purity in the eye of the townspeople, but he desires the acceptance of herself that Hester achieves through her sin being made public.
What Is The Juxtaposition Of The Night In The Scarlet Letter
721 Words | 3 PagesHis guilt and shame destroy him, physically, emotionally, and mentally. Hawthorne describes Dimmesdale as a prominent and brilliant reverend when giving sermons because he understands living with sin. Dimmesdale’s successes with his sermons are inspired by his own sins and he can connect with the people more. A young women carrying her child speaks to Hester saying, “Ah but let her cover the mark as she will, the pang of it will always be in her heart” (206). The women holding the child shows compassion towards Hester, stating that she wants her child to be strong like her.
Nathaniel Hawthorne's Diction In Scarlet Letter
857 Words | 4 PagesIn this section Hawthorne is showing what Hester should have done and why it led to his negative feelings towards
Examples Of Secret Sin In The Scarlet Letter
806 Words | 4 PagesFurthermore, Dimmesdale had assisted Hester Prynne with the Adultery signed on her chest because he just won't confess. Nathaniel Hawthorne says,
Figurative Language In Scarlet Letter
1180 Words | 5 PagesThe Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, reveals many aspects of human nature. One of Hawthorne’s prevalent themes is the way in which hidden sin affects the human soul. Through the progression of Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, Hawthorne explores the dynamic way in which hidden sin ultimately induces more suffering than open ignominy, using figurative language and contrast to convey his message. Immediately before Dimmesdale gives an impassioned plea for Hester to reveal her partner in sin, Hawthorne indicates through imagery and contrast that Dimmesdale’s sin does not yet have a great impact on his livelihood. Hawthorne notes that Dimmesdale’s “eloquence and religious fervor had already given the earnest of high eminence (46).”
How Does Hawthorne Use Cliches In The Scarlet Letter
445 Words | 2 PagesArthur Dimmesdale, the minister, a clergyman had committed the horrid sin of adultery, the same sin as Hester. Dimmesdale’s holy affiliation gave him a kind and pure disposition and this was solidified by his dimwittedness, making him seem almost childlike. By having a character with these qualities, Hawthorne contradicts the stereotype he has set up by having Dimmesdale be “unworth... [y] to [complete his] humblest mission” (71), a quality virtually unheard of among ministers. The author then has Dimmesdale confess his “sin so awfully revealed!”(211) in order for both Hester and Dimmesdale to redeem themselves of sin and restore the goodness.
Summary Of Zoellick's 'Mistakes In The Scarlet Letter'
1295 Words | 6 PagesIn The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne presents sin as something that has several tiers and can vary in severity. This is indicated by society's eventual acceptance of Hester Prynne, Reverend Dimmesdale's intense self-judgement, and Roger Chillingworth's
How Does Hester Prynne Change In The Scarlet Letter
799 Words | 4 PagesAsrai Brainerd Ms. Morrison Identity & Society 23 March, 2016 In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester accepts their sin and uses it to help the townspeople that are struggling with their own transgressions, while Dimmesdale lets their sin drain him until he becomes weak and empty inside. The change we see in both major characters is actually who they are on the inside showing through their exterior facade. Hester goes from almost rebellious of what her religion has taught her, to someone that people in town go to advice to on how to be a good Puritan in their almost utopian society. While Dimmesdale starts out seeming morally strong because of his position in the town, he has secretly committed a crime that would get both him and Hester executed.
Scarlet Letter: Alienation And Corruption
997 Words | 4 PagesHere Hawthorne proves that Hester remained in the community because she felt as if it was the place where she should still serve consequences for her sin. As the quote says, her entire struggle with sin, sorrow, and shame have all been established in the the Puritan society. After facing humiliating experiences she is convinced she would be unable to start over somewhere new. As a result, Hester 's shame and sorrow led her to becoming more of an outcast to the Puritan
Sin Used By Arthur Dimmesdale In The Scarlett Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne
1613 Words | 7 PagesHowever, his sin is dealt with a bit differently. Dimmesdale is a well-respected and important pillar of their community, being that he is the minister. The people of society are in shock as they find out that Dimmesdale allows this terrible sin to occur. “People say,” said another, “that the Reverend Master Dimmesdale, her godly pastor, takes it very grievously to heart that such a scandal should have come upon his congregation” (Hawthorne #). Little do they know that he is the second half of the adultery that occurred with Hester and holds just as much blame and sin as she does.
The Guilt Of Dimmesdale In Nathaniel Hawthorne's 'The Scarlet Letter'
319 Words | 2 PagesErin Joel Mrs. Janosy English 2H P 5 22 October 2015 Quote Explication Dimmesdale is trying to overcome a conflict within his own soul, defying his own religion, and choosing to do wrong by keeping his sin to himself. In a theocracy type community like Dimmesdale's, God is known as the supreme civil ruler, and a crime would be known as a sin. On the other hand, Hester’s sin was made known to the public, receiving the public shame and ridicule she deserved. During the duration of time when the public knew Dimmesdale was hiding his sin, “the agony with which this public tortured him” (Hawthorne 119).
Hester Prynne Sacrifice In Scarlet Letter
1213 Words | 5 PagesThis shows that Hester does not necessarily need to worry about what the people of Boston think of her or how she needs to redeem herself in order to fit back into the society. When Hawthorne says “The angel and apostle of the coming revelation must be a woman, indeed, but lofty, pure, and beautiful; and wise, moreover, not through dusky grief, but the ethereal medium of joy; and showing how sacred love should make us happy, by the truest test of a life successful to such an end!” he is showing how there is no way for Hester to change her society. She should have love and joy, but instead she is faced with guilt, which leads to her downfall. Along with this, Hawthorne demonstrates how the people of Boston are actually the sinners while Hester and Dimmesdale represent the Angel and the Saint of the city.
Dimmesdale Vs Prynne
653 Words | 3 PagesThe minister and Hester both fail to let the rest of the colony know that it was the two together who brought a wicked sin into their Puritan lifestyle. Instead of being honest with himself and everyone around, Dimmesdale and Hester cover up their secret until it is physically impossible for him to resist confessing against the wish of his lover. Living a lifestyle of purity and honesty are both very important throughout Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. Hawthorne places heavy emphasis on the fact that living a life away from honesty and purity is hard on not only the body, but also the soul, when one is not honest with the mistakes they have made.
Hypocrisy Of The Puritan Society In The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne
936 Words | 4 PagesThroughout the novel, Hester is fraught by the Puritan society and her suffering is an effect of how evil society is. Hester continues to believe that the crime she committed was not wrong and she should not be punished for it. Her desire to protect and love Dimmesdale, turn her into a stronger person and become a heroine in the book. Although society still views her as a “naughty baggage” (Hawthorne 73) and is punished for her wrongdoing, Hester never thought to take revenge on them, yet she gives everything she has to the unfortunate and leaves herself with very little. She continues to stay positive no matter what society has for her.
The Sin Of Dimmesdale In The Scarlet Letter
1404 Words | 6 PagesBecause of the effects that Dimmesdale’s sin had on those living in his society, his sin is the greatest of all those presented in the novel, as illustrated by Hawthorne through Dimmesdale’s interactions with others. Because, unlike Hester, Dimmesdale hides his sin from the
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