How Does Nathaniel Hawthorne's Use Of Romantic Elements
Romantic Gothicism elements are essential to Hawthorne’s achievement of his purpose. His purpose was to show his disgust with the Puritan society. He needed his work to include these Gothic elements to achieve the negative portrayal of the Puritans. He used ideas like guilt with Reverend Dimmesdale when he punishes himself in chapter eleven for the guilt he is feeling. He does practices like self-flagellation which involves himself essentially whipping himself with an instrument known as a scourge. Romantic Gothic reveals a darker side of human nature. Another example can be just as simple as the scarlet “a” itself. The “a” representing adultery along with many other symbolic qualities, a sin, but Hester with her eloquent needle work turning