Lasting effects of Sin

The past always comes back to haunt us throughout our lives. Puritan society is highly based upon a person’s reputation. Without an honorable reputation a person is not worthy of respect from others in their society. Characters in this novel go through their lives struggling with themselves trying to cope with the guilt and shame associated with their actions. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter, he shows the lasting effect that sin has on Hester and Dimmesdale.

Hester Prynne’s guilt is the result of her committing adultery, which has a profound effect on her life. Hester is publicly seen with the scarlet letter when she first emerges out of the cold dark prison. “It had the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity and enclosing her in a sphere by herself ” (Hawthorne 49). The spell that is mentioned is the scarlet letter, “so fantastically embroidered and illuminated upon her bosom” (Hawthorne 49). The scarlet letter is what isolates her from everyone else because it symbolizes sin. Hester is in her very own sphere, a world of her own where her sin effects her livelihood and has completely isolated her from the world. Her entrance into the sphere marks th

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Hester loves Pearl because she is her daughter, but she is also a symbol of Hester’s sin (Ziff 38). Dimmesdale values his reputation over his well being through this time of suffering in his life. This sign shows that his suffering is not over and he will have to live with the consequences till he confesses on the scaffold in front of the public. He values his reputation more than anything else and pays the ultimate price. Hester can’t lash out against the crowd and express her anger because she will feel horrible. “I can teach my little Pearl what I have lea!

rned from this!” (Hawthorne 103). Dimmesdale had achieved a brilliant popularity in his sacred office” (Hawthorne 135). She wants to take revenge on everyone that has passed judgment on her by giving them a “disdainful smile” (Hawthorne 53), but she is fearful that she might start feeling guilty for doing such a thing. Why doesn’t Dimmesdale confess; does he like suffering? Dimmesdale is a man of God and he is highly respected as a minister in his community. “Dimmesdale is living under the severe pain brought on by his inward shame of having sinned in the face of God” (Solomon 1). “The crowd was somber and grave” (Hawthorne 52).

Approximate Word count = 1777
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)

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