Hawthornes Hierarchy of Sin in The Scarlet Letter Essay -- Scarlet Le

Hawthornes Hierarchy of Sin in The Scarlet Letter Throughout the novel The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne focuses on the struggle of Hester Prynne, a woman who is forced to deal with the strict Puritan punishment for the adulterous birth of her child, Pearl. Yet, the very Puritan values that bring Hester public ignominy help to lift her to a position of respect in the corporation. Although Hawthorne does not condone Hesters sin, he takes pains to show that her sin is minimal in comparison to those of her infirm lover, Arthur Dimmesdale, and of her vengeful husband, Roger Chillingworth. Hester finds solace in the moral teachings of her religion and in acts of repentance, which help her deal with the struggles resulting from her sin. Although she no longer practices her faith openly after her public disgrace, she nonetheless has deep ties to her God and religion. She often prays for Pearl in hopes that her childs wild character will be calmed with time. Hester accepts her punishment quick, elaborately embroidering the scarlet A she is forced to get out on her breast and dressing Pearl in scarlet. She continues to wear the symbol of her sin long after the community declares her repented due to her commendable record of community service, showing everyone that she has nothing to hide. Indeed, Hesters salvation lies in the truth In all things else, I have striven to be true Truth was the one virtue which I might have held fast, and did hold fast, through all extremity. . . . A lie is never good, even though death threaten on the other fount (200). Hester finds comfort in prayer and repentance, which help to make her strong Shame, Despair, Solitude These had been her teachers- s... ...esdale. For his sins Chillingworth suffers a horrible fate All his strength and energy-all his vital and intellectual force-seemed at once to desert him insomuch that he positively withered up, shriveled away, and almost vanished from mortal site. . . (268). He dies ve ry shortly after Dimmesdale. Although it appears at prototypal glance that Hester is Hawthornes focus in The Scarlet Letter, a closer examination reveals that the novel revolves around the struggles of a weak lover and a jealous husband. Indeed, Hawthorne shows that Hester, who readily faces her problems, grows stronger and gains the respect of her community, whereas both Dimmesdale and Chillingworth, who are consumed by fear and hate respectively, bring about their own demise. Works Cited Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York Dodd, Mead & Co., 1948.