Thinking activity: The scarlet letter
(1) critical Analysis Of The Scarlet Letter.
=> The Scarlet Letter is written by Nathaniel Hawthorn. The main theme in the Scarlet Letter, as in most of Hawthronne's work, is that of sin and its effects both on the individual and on society. In the story Hester is main character. In the play Hester is center. Her situation becomes the important part of the play. It is frequently noted that the Hawthorne' preoccupation with sin springs from the puritan - rooted culture.
" The custom House" sketch has not always been appended to the sacarlate Letter in all its editions. Indeed, many editions of the book have totally dispensed with this "introductory" sketch to print only the text of the tale in the past. While "The custom House" is not an integral part of the story of the book in any obligatory sense, it has certain affinities with the latter. For one thing, this sketch offers us an imaginary and fictitious account of the genesis of the tale of the Scarlet Letter, secondly, it offers of Hawthorne's life over a period of three years immediately preceding the publication of the Scarlet Letter in 1850.
Important technique in the story is the use of the scaffold as a structural device. It is used in the beginning, the and the end of the story. In the story Hester 's and her difficulties are there.
In the story Hester is married woman. And then she has a affair with Arthur Dimmsdale. And then she becomes pregnant. Then people knows about her truth. And then society gives punishment to her. She is not only part of this crime. But her lover Dimmsdale also part of this crime. But he does not get any punishment. Only Hester get punishment. So In the novel differences are there.
Hawthorne uses Hester prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth to explored the concept of sin in the Scarlet Letter. While Hester is clearly made to show her 'sin' on her clothes with the letter A, she is the one chracter in the book who has reconciled herself with her difficulties. She is fine with God, and she believes that God is fine with her. She spends her days working to make needy people in the town feel better, and they, in turn, come to view her as someone who gives back to society. They see her with more compassion than some of the townspeople, Individuals in private life, meanwhile, had quite forgiven Hester Prynne for her frailty, may more, they had began to look upon the scarlet Letter as the token, not of that one sin, but of her many good deeds since'.
Hester is at peace with her self and with life. She has come to terms with who she is, and she is happy to give to those around her. She understands the concept of sin, and it does not stop her from showing compassion to others who cross her path. She understands humanity and she is comfortable with her sense of social identity in ways that others are not. Arthur Dimmesdale, who is the father of Hester's child, pearl, suffers greatly with his secret guilt. He is a pastor who cannot look God in the eye, his shamis so great, and he has a difficult time facing his parishioners and ministering to them. His guilt is immense.
Hester stands and confesses her bad deeds but he remains silent and continues to preach while the people continue to praise him. This fact haunts and eats at him. He longing to the spoke out of the from his own pulpit, at the full height of his voice, and tell his people who he was. In this chracter we can watch that the destructive force of keeping shame and guilt inside rather than making it public and allowing reconciliation to take place. The outcome is destructive, as we see when his life ends.
And allegory in literature is a story of where chracters, objects and events have a hidden meaning and are used to present some universal lessons. Hawthorn has a perfect atmosphere for the symbol in The Scarlet Letter because the puritans saw the world through allegory. For them, simple patterns, like the meteor streaking through the sky, became religious or moral interpretations for human events, objects, such as the scaffold were ritualistic symbols for such concepts as sin and penitence.
Hester is the public sinner who demonstrates the effects of the punishment on sensitivity and human nature. She is seen as a fallen woman, a culprit who deserves the ignominy of her immoral choice. She struggles with her recognition of the letters symbolism just as people struggled with them morality plays important role. Paradox is that the puritans stigmatize her with the mark of sin and in so doing, reduce her to a dull, lifeless woman whose characteristics color is gray and whose vitality and feminity are suppressed.
Over the seven years of her punishment, Hester's Inner struggle changes from a victims of puritans branding to a decisive woman in tune with human nature. When she meets Dimmesdale in the forest in chepter 18, Hawthorn says, "The tendency of her fate and fortunes had been to set her free. The Scarlet Letter was her passport into regions where other woman dared not tread".
In time, even the puritans community sees the letters as meaning "Able or Angel". Her sensitivity with society's victims turns her symbolic meaning from a person whose life was originally twists and repressed to a strong and sensitive woman with respect for the humanity of others. In her final years, " The Scarlet Letter ceased to be a, stigma which attracted the worlds scorn and bitterness and become a type of something to be sorrows over, and looks upon with awe, yet with revenge, too". Since her chracter is strongly tied to the Scarlet Letter, Hester represents the public sinner who changes and learns from her own sorrow to understand the humanity of others. Often humans being who are suffers great loss and life changing experiences become survivors with an increased understanding and sympathy for the human loses of others Hester is such a symbol.
At worst, Dimmesdale is a symbol of hypocrisy and self - centered intellectualism, he knows what is right but has not the courage to make himself to do the public act. When Hester tells him that the ship for Europe leaves in four days, he is delighted with the timing. He will be able to give his Election sermon and fulfills public duties before escaping. At best, his when he worries, that his congregation will see his features in pearl's face.
Dimmesdale 's inner struggle is intense and he struggled to do the right thing. He realised the scaffold is the place to confess and also his shelter from his tormentor, Chillingworth, yet, the very thing that makes Dimmesdale a symbol of the secret sinner is also what redeems him. Sin and its acknowledgement humanise Dimmesdale. When he leaves the forest and realises the extent of the devil's grip on his soul, he passionately writes his sermon and makes his decision to confess. As a symbol, he represented the secret sinner who fights the good fight in his soul and eventually wins.
In the play she suffers alot alone. Nobody gives support to her. Society creates difficulties for her. So it becomes difficult to live alone. But she does not loose her strength and faces the society. And she fights alone with society. She also confess her crime in front of society. She has courage to confess her crime. She does not loose her hope. But constantly society raises questions for her. But she gave the answer very clearly. She does not hesitate. But she has confident. And that's why her confidence gives strength to her. She also does not blames on Dimmesdale.
She also does not takes his name in front of society. She remains silent. Maybe she has a hope that one day Dimmesdale confesses his truth in front of society. She is married that's why the situation becomes more difficult for her. And her hope becomes true and one day Dimmesdale confesses his truth in front of society. For Hester becomes difficult, and she get punishment to ware A, and that's why it becomes more difficult. Whenever she goes at place everybody talks about her. And they behave with her very rudely. But she becomes strong, and capable, dhe gives birth to child. And she takes the all responsibility. And she manages all.
* Conclusion :-
In the play both are equally part of this crime. But only Hester suffers. And Dimmesdale has a fear of society that's why he does not confesses his truth. And later on he realised his mistake and confesses his truth in front of society.
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