Hypocrisy In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter
The Scarlet Letter Essay
In the novel, The Scarlet Letter, the author, Nathaniel Hawthorne depicts major themes of the book through usage of various symbols. By utilizing symbolism, Hawthorne portrays humanity’s disposition towards those rejected by society and the effects of being an outcast, along with other various meanings conveyed in Hawthorne’s novel. The most obvious symbol, and the most important, is the scarlet letter that Hester is burdened to wear due to her conviction of adultery. Such symbols convey an intriguing message of hypocrisy that lies beyond the naked eye. Through his use of symbolism, a hidden message portraying hypocrisy is revealed line after line. Early in the novel, as the crowd awaits Hester to emerge, Hawthorne vividly describes a prison in which the puritan disciplinary system is symbolized. Hawthorne writes that “...whatever …show more content…
Throughout the novel, the scarlet letter “takes on several different meanings” (Pearl) for each of the characters. For the public, the letter is “taking Hester out of the ordinary relations with humanity and inclosing her in a sphere by herself”(51). Due to Hawthorne’s unique usage of symbolism “...we are invited to enter a separate sphere, where both imagination and moral growth can occur”(Pearl). As Hester becomes accustomed to wearing the lettter, the meaning of the “A” gradually transcends from meaning “adulterer” to symbolizing “able” or “angel”. Apart from symbolizing the obvious, the letter also depicts a major theme of the book, hypocrisy. Puritans believe that people should not be punished for sin, however the Puritan leaders made Hester face a lifetime of embarrassment by making her wear the letter. Keep in mind these leaders are also the leaders who preach the word of God while condemning Hester revealing their nature of
In the novel, The Scarlet Letter, the author, Nathaniel Hawthorne depicts major themes of the book through usage of various symbols. By utilizing symbolism, Hawthorne portrays humanity’s disposition towards those rejected by society and the effects of being an outcast, along with other various meanings conveyed in Hawthorne’s novel. The most obvious symbol, and the most important, is the scarlet letter that Hester is burdened to wear due to her conviction of adultery. Such symbols convey an intriguing message of hypocrisy that lies beyond the naked eye. Through his use of symbolism, a hidden message portraying hypocrisy is revealed line after line. Early in the novel, as the crowd awaits Hester to emerge, Hawthorne vividly describes a prison in which the puritan disciplinary system is symbolized. Hawthorne writes that “...whatever …show more content…
Throughout the novel, the scarlet letter “takes on several different meanings” (Pearl) for each of the characters. For the public, the letter is “taking Hester out of the ordinary relations with humanity and inclosing her in a sphere by herself”(51). Due to Hawthorne’s unique usage of symbolism “...we are invited to enter a separate sphere, where both imagination and moral growth can occur”(Pearl). As Hester becomes accustomed to wearing the lettter, the meaning of the “A” gradually transcends from meaning “adulterer” to symbolizing “able” or “angel”. Apart from symbolizing the obvious, the letter also depicts a major theme of the book, hypocrisy. Puritans believe that people should not be punished for sin, however the Puritan leaders made Hester face a lifetime of embarrassment by making her wear the letter. Keep in mind these leaders are also the leaders who preach the word of God while condemning Hester revealing their nature of