Scarlet Letter And Sin Essay Research Paper

Scarlet Letter And Sin Essay, Research Paper

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. "On the

breast of her gown, in a fine red cloth surrounded by an elaborate embroidery

and fantastic flourishes of gold thread, appeared the letter ‘A.’" Hester’s

scarlet "A" serves as a public symbol of her private sin. Because

Hester is able to declare her guilt openly, she is freed from excessive remorse,

and her sin serves to enrich and dignify rather than to destroy her. The letter

makes her stronger and more an individual. As foreshadow as Hawthorne speaks of

the scarlet letter, "..It had the effect of a spell, taking her out of the

ordinary relations with humanity and enclosing her in a sphere by herself,"

Hester indeed does isolate herself, and stays "…. out of the sphere of

social activity.." and moves out to an isolated cottage. Hester decides

that "Here….had been the scene of her guilt, and here should be the scene

of her earthly punishment, the torture of her daily shame would at length purge

her soul and work out another purity than that which she had lost; more

saintlike, because of the result of matyrdom. Hester Prynne, therefore did not

flee." This is where she sinned, this shall be where she suffers and gives

penance. As expected, Hester is at first shunned and humiliated by the

townspeople, who ignore their own faults and project them onto Hester, and then

later their children project them onto Pearl, who does not have the "divine

maternity" of Hester, who can do no wrong. Hester behaves with decorum and

grace, helping others who are hungry, sick, or in need. Slowly the disdain of