... to cleanse themselves of that sin. In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, the author uses the scaffold scenes to depict the idea of private versus public sin. The first scaffold scene establishes the tone for the novel. Here, Hester Prynne is taken before her Puritan town from the prison. On her ... 's secrets in such broad daylight, and in presence of so great multitude." Here is the first presentation of Hawthorne's idea in regard to private versus public sin. Dimmesdale argues that it is not fair that Hester's secret be revealed to all, even though he makes a weak attempt to per...

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... poor man "kept silent by the very constitution of [his] nature." Reverend Dimmesdale, punishing himself for his ugly secret, which his need for public affirmation will not let him reveal, gradually kills himself through guilt and masochistic ritual. His inward trouble drove him more in accordance with the old ... his life, a tragic hero must recognize this destruction, invoking awe and pity in the reader. This Reverend Dimmesdale does only halfway, making his recognition and repentance incomplete. He confesses openly that he sinned, but he doesn't confess that he has, for all these years...

• Word Count: 2932
• Approx Pages: 12
• Grade Level: High School

... , which results in the birth of the baby, Pearl, and leads to the deterioration of Hester's husband, Chillingsworth. For seven years the minister hides his secret while Hester lives with public shame. Dimmesdale lacks the courage to admit his guilt publicly, which eats at his conscience and soul. His sin is deepened within him, plaguing every corner of his mind. He ... his daughter. Although he had the courage to bring them up to the scaffold, he still lacked the bravery to confess the sin beyond any doubt. He does not achieve public recognition of his sin because his sermon was extremel...

• Word Count: 898
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... views on life. John Proctor is selected from the play The Crucible written by Arthur Miller. Hester prynne comes from Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. John and Hester alike experienced public humiliation and grief. Although sharing these occurrences, John Proctor and Hester Prynne demonstrate their different outlooks on life. Concerning John and Hester's similarities, they are both married. While being joined ... wife Elizabeth. John tries to live up to his high expectations and hopes by confession, and yet he seems to be more concerned with his own personal integrity, than his...

• Word Count: 630
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... with himself because of his sin, he has also been attempting to develop a relationship with Pearl. However, this is impossible because he is unable to acknowledge Pearl in public. Because Pearl continuously demands public recognition, Dimmesdale grows a fear towards her. Therefore, it is understood that Pearl does not accept him as a father or loved one until he acknowledges her on Election Day. Hester ... ...

• Word Count: 1133
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... will remain a part of her from now on. At the thought of her future, she squeezes her daughter so hard that the child cries out in pain. Chapter Three: The Recognition Summary On the edge of the crowd Hester notices an Indian accompanied by a white man. She recognizes the white man as Roger Chillingworth, her husband, who sent her to America ... his anguish, and he softly leaves his house. Chapter Twelve: The Minister's Vigil Summary Dimmesdale, having left his house, walks until he reached the scaffold where Hester Prynne suffered her public humiliation several years prior. He climbs t...

• Word Count: 5572
• Approx Pages: 22
• Grade Level: High School

... , steps out of the prison threshold into the sunshine, carrying a young infant in her arms. She slowly, almost defiantly, walks to the scaffold, where she is to stand and endure public taunts, remarks, and stares. The most remarkable feature of her, besides her beauty, is the elaborately sewn letter on her bosom; a scarlet "A" stitched with gold thread. Through the crowd's remarks ... man accompanied by an Indian is identified in the crowd. As Hester's eyes search the gathering of people, she recognizes him and a look of horror flashes across her face. Soon recognition appears in his fac...

• Word Count: 3653
• Approx Pages: 15
• Grade Level: High School

... has done. This sermon is like a slap on the face to the Puritans by showing their unbeknownst hypocrisy where they shuddered at Hester's scarlet letter yet, Dimmesdale's letter received no recognition. "Thou hast escaped me"(pg 175). In this short yet powerful line Dimmesdale yells to the multitudes that his inner demons have finally escaped him, yet with them I believe they ... since his sin. "Then flinging the already written pages of the Election Sermon into the fire- (pg 154) The final realization that he must admit to his sin to the public. No longer can he stand to lie, and keep u...

• Word Count: 1115
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... , although I am not convinced that she must always be portrayed as a sinner. Hester did indeed commit adultery, but she also learned from her mistakes and understood her consequences. Does this recognition not redeem her? Does she not deserve a second chance? Must she ultimately pay for it by wearing her scarlet letter and becoming a social outcast for eternity? She was stared at ... today, everyone would walk around with every letter of the alphabet stitched onto their clothing. Ultimately it would defeat the purpose if everyone's sins were to be exposed to the public. Furthermore, no o...

• Word Count: 1200
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... hard task for a single parent. He also abandons them emotionally and physically, rarely there when Hester and Pearl needed him. Innocent little Pearl wonders why Dimmesdale is so afraid of public displays of affection, yet when they are alone, he takes notice of her and Hester; talking to him, Pearl asks" 'Wilt thou stand here with Mother and me, tomorrow noontide ... her for her loyalty. As if his honesty was a final cure for not only his, but also Pearl's impish, condition; giving her what she had been yearning for all along, recognition, "Pearl kissed his lips. A spell was broken (Ha...

• Word Count: 889
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School