Topic > A Theme of Sin in "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne

In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne masterfully addresses several types of themes including: sin, adultery, revenge, guilt, and blame. Use character development to structure the plot of this novel with rising action and a turning climax. There are four main characters that make this novel what it is: Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, Roger Chillingsworth, and Hester's daughter Pearl. All the characters in the book are in some way touched by the theme of sin; the greatest adultery a person can commit is sin and it shapes their entire life and how they choose to deal with it. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay To begin with, Hester, knowing that she has committed the sin of adultery, Hester's choice to embrace her action allows her to grow, presenting the Scarlet Letter. Unlike Dimmesdale, Hester has no choice but to move on with her daughter Pearl. While it may seem like a terrible punishment at first, it ends up working out for her in the end. Initially, people are mean to Hester, who feels guilty and ashamed about their appearance. One person finally tried to put an end to it, exclaiming, "not a stitch in that embroidered letter, but he felt it in his heart" (Hawthorne). Furthermore, Hester's appearance begins to reflect her feelings; wears multiple types of clothing. Hester tried to move on with her life, settling in the city and becoming a seamstress, as well as raising Pearl alone with no father figure present. The villagers begin to appreciate the hard work Hester has done for them. Hester is full of emotion knowing full well that "she would become the general symbol to which the preacher and the moralist could point...the figure, the body, the reality of sin." little girl Pearl, and that the "A" carved into her chest begins to mean something more powerful. He also tried to fix the letter on the chest and improve it. Hester's secret sin was revealed to everyone in town, which stopped her from ruining her life even more. Rather than trying to avoid the past, he attempts to complete his homework in an attempt to ask for forgiveness from everyone, including his son. In contrast, Arthur Dimmesdale refuses to reveal the act of adultery, instead telling the town what he had done. but he didn't want that guilt. It's completely different than Hester; a reverend and keeping his sin a secret from everyone. The act seems to worry him from the beginning of the book, as he is described as having “an air about him – an apprehensive, surprised, half-frightened look – as of a being who finds himself at a loss. along the path of human existence” (Hawthorne). Despite the world, Dimmesdale tries to keep the secret under wraps until he begins to show that something is wrong with him. As time passes, Dimmesdale's health begins to falter; he is described as “emancipated: his voice had in it a certain melancholy prophecy of decadence; he was often observed while he placed his hand over his heart, first becoming red and then pale, indicating pain." Of course, most people in the city see something in the devotion to his religious studies, unaware of the evil that started it all. His condition doesn't improve, especially with Chillingsworth in the mix. Dimmesdale's health conditions begin to worsen, but in a positive way; this of course happens after he accepts the sin he committed and plans to escape the city with Hester and Pearl. As word spreads around town, Dimmesdale begins to feel forceful and impulsive with his actions and wants to tell everyone who passes him: “Don't.