The Uniting
Nathaniel Hawthorne is an author that most certainly did not belong in the "Puritan Age," but rather in the "Transcendentalist" time period. Hawthorne wrote "the Scarlet Letter" as an allegory to ask the question, "What is sin?" Hawthorne's main focus of writing "The Scarlet Letter" as an allegory was to point out that the puritans were so focussed on sin and what people did wrong that they lost sight of how to atone for that sin. Because of the novels allegorical nature, Hawthorne develops three distinct "A's" each pertaining to a different character. The society places a very obvious "A" on Hester, Pearl becomes the scarlet letter, and Dimmesdale has a mysterious "A" upon his chest representing his guilt. In "The Scarlet Letter," Hawthorne carefully interweaves the letter "A" with Hester's unparalleled pride, the physical and symbolic value of Pearl, and Dimmesdale's mental and physical atrophy as a result of his guilt. Hester Prynne indubitably stands out in the community on many levels. The puritan community in "The Scarlet Letter" believed that making Hester wear the scarlet letter "A" on her chest would be a punishment for her sin. The letter is the physical manifestation of her ad
ulterous sin, and upon seeing Hester, the community only sees a "sinner." Hawthorne wrote in chapter two, in regards to Hester, "The unhappy culprit sustained herself as best a woman might, under the heavy weight of a thousand unrelenting eyes, all fastened upon her, and concentrated at her bosom." He describes Hester as "sustaining herself," proving that even in a time of intense scrutiny, she retains a unique self-composure. With all the public humiliation Hester faced daily, she could've completely left the city and disowned Pearl, but instead she makes the choice to alienate herself and her daughter from the community. This choice to remain a part of the community (although separated physically from it), shows Hester's individuality. Finally, Hester uses her talent of embroidery to embellish her badge of infamy. She embroiders the already striking red "A" with golden thread, transforming badge of infamy into an award or medal that she is proud to wear. The "A" just like Hester, stands out now, more than ever before. She is a woman of deep conviction, believing that her public humiliation was her earthly punishment for her sin. Hester's choice to wear the "A" even though the community eventually allowed her to remove it, is a sign of her moral independence and originality. Both Hester's "A" and Pearl were public signs of a sin that in no way could be covered up or hidden. However, Dimmesdale's "A" that he sported upon his chest was concealed by his clothing and often times his own hand. Although the reader never finds the true cause of the scar upon his chest, it is most certainly clear that the scar is
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Approximate Word count = 1099
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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