Scarlet letter theisis
Thesis: The three scaffolding scenes are all important because they show how the scaffold is represented as a place where people are seen to be guilty of a crime or sin, and also how it contradicts the thought of having here society’s reverend in a high place as well. The first scaffolding scene in the book “The Scarlet Letter” is important and proves that the scaffold in the center of their community is a place for criminals and sinners to be recognized as such. As we know, Hester Prynne was committed for adultery which is why she was led to the scaffold. In their community the scaffold is the symbolism of clarity of whoever stands atop it. In this case, Hester is considered to be transparent, so that everyone in the town can see that she has sinned. Her punishment not alone to wear the scarlet letter but to also have spent a certain amount of time upon the scaffold as she states on page 54, line five “…her sentence bore, that she should stand a certain time upon the platform but without undergoing that gripe about the neck and confinement of the head…” What this means is that she will have to stand upon the scaffolding, but not to hanged, only publicly shamed. But this in some ways contradicts the action of putting their minister in a high place, such as a balcony. The idea of not only having your sinners but also your criminals put into a place above all others to be seen can be a contradictory. The second scaffolding scene is important because this is where Dimmesdale performs his own silent vigil upon the scaffolding. The interpretation of this is that even the seemingly most holy of men has sin within and Arthur Dimmesdale is proof of that. He cries out in agony as he stands on top of it, because of the great amount of spiritual pain he’s is suffering from along with guilt. As he screams, Hester and pearl happen to be walking by, on their way home from the death bed of the governor Winthrop. At this point Dimmesdale, in an act of love I believe, invites