The Scarlet Letter
Morality is a term that encompasses many different meanings. Some believe that being dutiful is moral, while others think that being honest is moral. According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, Third College Edition, the definition of moral is “principles, standards, or habits with respect to right or wrong in conduct,” (“moral”). Nathaniel Hawthorne utilizes characterization techniques of morality throughout the novel The Scarlet Letter. The qualities that Hester Prynne possesses shape her as a character. Hawthorne represents Hester Prynne as having moral flaws, but in the end she is a good person. (Bloom 22). As Orson Scott Card remarks in Characters and Viewpoints, “The character story emerges when some part of a character’s role in life becomes unbearable.” (53). This is apparent in The Scarlet Letter because Hester’s life becomes unbearable through her trials as a sinner in the Puritan society. Although the Puritan society believes that Hester Prynne is immoral, the actions that she takes shows that she is actually very moral.Hester shows care towards Pearl, her daughter, which is a clear indication of the kindness in Hester’s heart. “When the young woman- the mother of this chil
The only explanation for the new name is that the Puritan society forgives Hester for her sins, even though it does not take away her punishment. In most instances, those who do the sinful acts can never obtain the forgiveness of their fellow townsmen; Hester’s acts of goodness earn the respect of the people in the Puritan society. In such emergencies, Hester’s nature showed itself warm and rich; a wellspring of human tenderness, unfailing to every real demand, and inexhaustible by the largest. Her breast, with its badge of shame, was but the softer pillow for the head that needed one . . . The letter was the symbol of her calling. Such helpfulness was found in her- so much power to do and power to sympathize- that many people refused to interpret the scarlet “A” by its original signification. They said that it meant “Able”; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman’s strength. (Hawthorne 158) Another representation of Hester’s love for Pearl is when Hester and Arthur Dimmesdale finish their conversation in the forest. Hester takes the scarlet letter off her breast, and throws her ignominy into the dirt. The world of which Hester has dreamed seems to have become a reality, and she is ready for it. Unfortunately, Pearl’s tantrum shatters this fantasy into pieces. Hester could not have foreseen Pearl’s behavior. Pearl has never seen Hester without the scarlet letter, and no matter how much Hester wants the letter to be her history, she knows that the scornful object will be her destiny. “…I must bear its torture yet a little longer…” (Hawthorne 207). Although Hester Prynne believes that she is not a sinner, she takes her punishment with grace and humility. When Hester has an opportunity to do a good deed, she simply does it. Frequently, people do not take advantage of helping out another person when the opportunity arises. Hester Prynne does many things to be a good citizen of the Puritan society. Hester donates every bit of money, time, and effort to charity if she has the ability to do so. Hester makes more than the cost of living. Consequently, she gives her extra money
Some topics in this essay:
Hester Prynne,
Arthur Dimmesdale,
Pearl Hester,
Roger Chillingworth,
Unfortunately Pearl’s,
Christian People,
Puritans Hester,
Nathaniel Hawthorne,
Theodore Gross,
Pearl Pearl,
hester prynne,
scarlet letter,
puritan society,
arthur dimmesdale,
hester believes,
pearl’s father,
hester makes,
name pearl’s father,
name pearl’s,
money effort,
hester arthur,
pearl’s father reverend,
father reverend wilson,
hester arthur dimmesdale,
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Approximate Word count = 1429
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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