... reappear and grow in significance during the course of the novel. However, this is also the same gesture that Hester Prynne makes when remembering the scarlet letter upon her own bosom. Hawthorne brilliantly connects Hester Prynne's openly displayed shame with Reverend Dimmesdale's secret shame by having both characters touch the same spot where the scarlet letter is displayed. We see the same motion of weakness again when ... upon him for corrupting her. Hawthorne uses the scaffold as a tool through which he demonstrates the public revelation of one's sins. Public penitence upon the sc...

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