Scarlet Letter Light and Dark Motif
Light and Dark Motif
In order to portray the overall theme of The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne uses motifs, which are recurring concepts or contrasts. From the beginning of the novel and throughout, there are clear examples of light versus dark that are used to set tone and mood, and used for character development. Hawthorne utilizes the idea of light versus dark, or day versus night to convey the theme of covert sin and overt abomination.
In the beginning of the novel, Hawthorne displays this contrast by pinning Hester and Chillingworth in scenes that he describes as dark or shaded. When Hester first left the prison in chapter two, Hawthorne describes the scene as a "black shadow emerging into the sunshine." Then in chapter nine, the same motif is brought up several times. When describing Roger Chillingworth, Hawthorne states that his new purpose was "dark...if not guilty," using the absence of light to show the absence of morality in Chillingworth's new point of view. In the same chapter, Hawthorne illustrates that "[Dimmesdale's] dawning light would be extinguished" with the arrival of Chillingworth. Again, he uses light as a substitute for Dimmesdale's purity and morality. When discussing Roger's intentions of discovering all of Dimmesdale's secrets, Hawthornes describes it as "probing everything with a cautious touch, like a treasure seeker in a dark cavern." This illustrates Dimmesdale's dark side that is brimming with secrets which Chillingworth is dying to discover. There is also evidence of this motif in the structure of Dimmesdale's home. His quarters are described as being sunny and bright with Chillingworth's side of the house being dark in contrast. However, the most significant usage of this motif before chapter twelve is in chapter nine when Hawthorne states, "If the latter possess...intuition...then... the soul of the sufferer [will] be dissolved, and flow forth in a dark, but transparent stream, bringing all its mysteries into the light." This
In order to portray the overall theme of The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne uses motifs, which are recurring concepts or contrasts. From the beginning of the novel and throughout, there are clear examples of light versus dark that are used to set tone and mood, and used for character development. Hawthorne utilizes the idea of light versus dark, or day versus night to convey the theme of covert sin and overt abomination.
In the beginning of the novel, Hawthorne displays this contrast by pinning Hester and Chillingworth in scenes that he describes as dark or shaded. When Hester first left the prison in chapter two, Hawthorne describes the scene as a "black shadow emerging into the sunshine." Then in chapter nine, the same motif is brought up several times. When describing Roger Chillingworth, Hawthorne states that his new purpose was "dark...if not guilty," using the absence of light to show the absence of morality in Chillingworth's new point of view. In the same chapter, Hawthorne illustrates that "[Dimmesdale's] dawning light would be extinguished" with the arrival of Chillingworth. Again, he uses light as a substitute for Dimmesdale's purity and morality. When discussing Roger's intentions of discovering all of Dimmesdale's secrets, Hawthornes describes it as "probing everything with a cautious touch, like a treasure seeker in a dark cavern." This illustrates Dimmesdale's dark side that is brimming with secrets which Chillingworth is dying to discover. There is also evidence of this motif in the structure of Dimmesdale's home. His quarters are described as being sunny and bright with Chillingworth's side of the house being dark in contrast. However, the most significant usage of this motif before chapter twelve is in chapter nine when Hawthorne states, "If the latter possess...intuition...then... the soul of the sufferer [will] be dissolved, and flow forth in a dark, but transparent stream, bringing all its mysteries into the light." This