P5+SAbdul-Hafiz

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//The Scarlet Letter//, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is a novel with a story that opens out to the moral roots of our society. This is displayed through a tragic plot involving three characters, Hester, a defiant young woman who sought passion, Dimmesdale, a tortured reverend, and Chillingworth, who is punishing and obsesses. Religion is one are Hawthorne uses the cycle of transgression, shame, repentance, and acceptance as recurring motif to explore.

Lay in the first part of Hester's sin, which was adultery with Dimmesdale (without marriage). Hester had broken transgression with shame. She had committed her sin with intentions of satisfying her own pleasure. “But this had been a sin of passion, not of principle, nor even purpose.” (Ch.2) It is against law and religion to have premarital sex. Still, law and religion don’t tell you everything you must do. There is still open space for choice, as long as nothing immoral is done. Moral themes are based on comparison with Puritanism. There is a church/state relationship in the novel.

Hester went through a stage of shame not long after committing her sin. She knew the immorality of what she did, and had felt embarrassed by it. “No man for any considerable period can wear one face to himself and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the true” (Ch.20) Hester’s embarrassment was shown when her sin became a public sin. Being a rotten example in the society caused the community not to accept her. “One token of her shame would but poorly serve to hide another.” (Ch.2)

Repentance was yet another one of the more vital stages Hester went through. Hester witnessed what she did was wrong, and regretted it deeply. Being a hard phase for some, this was a giant step in Hester's life. She exemplified this by wearing the Letter “A.” As well, she had asked for forgiveness. This was an extensive step in Hester’s transformation as a human being. Thus, Hester had become a solid example in the community.

Acceptance was the following phase in which Hester had experienced. Wearing the Letter “A” displayed she accepted the fact that she had precedingly sinned. People began accepting her back in the society. She was freed from prison and free to go wherever she wants. Allowing her to do this symbolizes one way the community had started to pardon her. “She had not known the full weight until she felt the freedom.” (Ch.18) Out of her own will, Hester had decided to stay and benefit her community by helping and teaching others. Hester needed to submit to her sin. There was and still is no escaping it. “Ah, but let her cover the mark as she will, the pang of her will always be in her heart.” (Ch.2) Hester decided to just go on with her life.