The Scarlet Letter
In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne explores the strength of the human spirit. "No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be true". This statement is uniquely applicable to Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth. Hester gains strength from the transgression, Dimmesdale is tormented to his death, and Chillingworth's need for vengeance encompasses his entire life.Hester Prynne is the most admirable and true character of the novel. The fashion in which she presents the scarlet letter reveals this quality in her. "The letter is so artistically done, and with so much fertility and gorgeous luxuriance of fancy," (8) that it is as if Hester is not ashamed of it. She does not hide her badge of punishment; in fact she wears it long after she is permitted to remove it. Her only hidden imperfections are the secrets that she is forced to keep against her will. Hester does not hide these mysteries for her own sake, but solely for Dimmesdale and Chillingworth. Contradictory to these men, it is Hester's pride and practical nature that sustain her sanity. This is shown by th
e way that she dresses "Little Pearl" (118) in the same scarlet red as her letter. He is also tortured by Chillingworth's selfish desire to avenge the crime. His attempts to discreetly punish Dimmesdale causes Hester to "hate the man" (142). By concealing that he is Pearl's father, he creates a horrible secret that haunts him for the rest of his life. This physical transformation is taking place because of a simultaneous transformation of his spirit from relatively good to evil. There was a listlessness in his gait; as if he saw no reason for taking one step farther, nor felt any desire to do so" (155). However, his refusal to reveal that he is Hester's husband forces her to go through her struggles alone. She, therefore, concludes her life in a peaceful manner, admired by the public. His timely death represents that he lived for the sole purpose of seeking vengeance on Dimmesdale. The fact that Dimmesdale does not acknowledge his adultery makes his sin worse than Hester's. Contrary to what the people perceive, Roger Chillingworth devotes his life to seeking vengeance on the father of his wife's baby. Arthur Dimmesdale illustrates a character who "wears one face to himself, and another to the multitude" (187). Dimmesdale and Chillingworth hide their true personalities from the public and ultimately pay for it. After he arrives to the town, Hester "started to perceive what a change had come over his features, - how much uglier they were, - how his dark complexion seemed to have grown duskier, and his figure more misshapen, - since the days when she had known him" (74). The guilt rankles in his heart and is the cause of his torment of conscience.
Common topics in this essay:
Roger Chillingworth,
Arthur Dimmesdale,
Chillingworth Hester,
Dimmesdale Chillingworth,
Hester Prynne,
Nathaniel Hawthorne,
Contradictory Hester's,
Little Pearl,
dimmesdale chillingworth,
scarlet letter,
Scarlet Letter,
considerable period wear,
getting bewildered true,
finally getting bewildered,
multitude finally,
hester prynne,
getting bewildered,
bewildered true,
multitude finally getting,
finally getting,
wear multitude finally,
roger chillingworth,
hester gains,
seeking vengeance,
|
Acceptance Essays
