The Thematic Trifecta Of The Scarlet Letter - 1429 Words

The Thematic Trifecta of The Scarlet Letter The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, narrates the experiences of Hester Prynne, a beautiful young woman in Puritan times, after committing the sin of adultery with the local Reverend, Mr. Arthur Dimmesdale. Because she became pregnant, she bears the public scorn of her sin, while the town does not uncover Mr. Dimmesdale’s participation in the act until the very end of the novel. Using the Puritan society as the setting, and the development of both Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale, Hawthorne explores the concepts of individuality, identity, and isolation. Through Hester and Dimmesdale, he presents two scenarios: one in which the character is isolated and freed from society,†¦show more content†¦So great was this emotional control that in one of their happiest days, the Election Procession, they â€Å"appeared scarcely more grave than most other communities at a period of general affliction.† (Page 210) Using the Puritans as a backdrop for the n ovel, a society notorious for its Spartan, emotionless nature and punishment of those who are different, unique, and in any way stray from the expected, was a conscious choice by Hawthorne that allows the themes of identity and individuality to display themselves clearly in Hester and Dimmesdale. Hester, one of the principal characters of the novel, must wear a scarlet letter on her chest as a symbol of her sin and a punishment for her adultery. However, in a powerful act of defiance, Hester makes the scarlet letter a metaphorical part of her and a part of her identity, changing its symbolism to represent her experiences, despite society’s initial intent of the letter as a punishment. Hester believes that it â€Å"lies not in the pleasure of the magistrates to take off this badge,† when she discovers the officials had discussed ridding her of it. (Page 153) In Hester’s mind, the letter has become a part of her identity. Allowing society to remove it would only p rove their control over her, and even nullify any growth and