The Scarlet Letter Essay
The Scarlet Letter Expository Essay Doesn’t redemption require more than just a simple sorry? Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the letter “A” to prove redemption may be possible through one’s admirable actions. As stated in The Scarlet Letter, "Many people refused to interpret the scarlet A by its original signification.” (Hawthorne 111) meaning Hester Prynne changed the view that others had of her because of her scarlet letter. The punishment from a women’s wrongdoing was soon interpreted from a symbol of sin to a symbol of kindness due to redemption. Hester engages in a variety of acts that turned her from being classified as a horrible human being, into being an idol to the majority of the town. Hester demonstrates what it is like to be an outcast in society. When the town finds out that Hester had committed adultery, everybody views her differently than before. They only see her as a sinner and they all gather to watch her be humiliated and punished in front of the rest of the town. Although Hester did not regret committing her sin, the opinions of others still affect her in a certain way. She is shameful, but not remorseful. As proven, Hester’s thoughts are revealed as, “Like all other joys, she rejected it as a sin.” (Hawthorne 57) Hawthorne mentions that “The exception indicated the ever relentless vigor with which society frowned upon her sin.” (Hawthorne 57) This quote proves that society has an entirely different view on Hester just because she will now have a scarlet letter on her breast. During this time, Puritans viewed Hester’s sin in the same way present day society views murder, which is why everybody is repulsed with her because of her act of adultery. The following quote demonstrates Hester’s shame towards having to wear the letter “As if the letter were not of red cloth, but red-hot iron. I shuddered, and involuntarily let it fall upon the floor.” (Hawthorne 60) This quote displays the severe emotional scarring Hester feels from a small,
Cited: Page Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York: Ticknor, Reed, and Fields, 1994. Print.