The Scarlet Letter
During the novel, 'The Scarlet Letter', three characters, Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, Mistress Hester Prynne, and Roger Chillingworth, of 17th century Puritan Massachusetts were tortured by moral conflicts dwelling within each one. The story begins as Hester Prynne is standing on the scaffold in the town. In her arms is her child, Pearl, and on her chest is an embroidered letter, "A". While Hester's husband was supposedly out at sea, Hester had an affair with Dimmesdale and then gave birth to the baby girl. For three hours, Hester stands on this scaffold as the townspeople gathered around to gossip and stare at her. In the disorder of faces in the crowd, Hester sees the face of a man she was fiercely familiar with, whom we later learn is her true husband, Roger Chillingworth. As the story unfolds, all three characters were tortured whether internally or externally. Arthur Dimmesdale was a very established, respected man who was greatly looked up to. People described him as a "'God fearing' gentleman, but merciful overmuch" (p.49). What they didn't know was how hypocritical he actually was. Even though Hester bared his child, his outward demeanor deceived the villagers, and he appeared as a holy man. The gu
He acted like a trusted friend and confidant to Arthur Dimmesdale but becomes a cause for the ultimate element of betrayal. Her strength to satisfy the needs of others and comfort them is a gift that many townspeople respect, and they come to feel that the letter does indeedstand for able. His outward appearance then appears to reflect his guilt, ". Eventually he is entirely engulfed by his quest for revenge and has no other meaning in life. , to press his hand over his heart,,. Prynne is tortured daily by her own naive daughter who is trying to be just like her mother, and doesn't understand the meaning of the letter. Motivated by deep hatred of Dimmesdale, Chillingworth's entire life is devoted to revenge against the man who committed adultery with his wife. Isolated from the community, Hester is forced to rise a step higher than average for respect in the Puritan Community. Hester is strong with her letter, having it be a part of her for so many years, while Arthur has concealed his letter upon his chest, which gnawed out from his inner soul. The second character tortured by moral conflicts was Mistress Hester Prynne. At one time, Chillingworth mentions to Hester that the magistrates may let her remove the scarlet letter, but she declines. It pains Hester to watch her child go about in the world as if possessed by an agent of Satan, and she both loves, and in the same ways, loathes the child. Dimmesdale augmented his problems by abandoning Hester and their child, Pearl, emotionally and physically, forcing Hester to find work.
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