Sin and the Scarlet Letter

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Recommended: Analysis of the scarlet letter sin

Sin-noun-an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law. On occasion, sin can distort and mutilate the social norms of an entire society. In the Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne sin bypassed the strictly religious puritan way of life with three characters: Reverend Dimmesdale, Pearl Prynne, and Roger Chillingworth. Dimmesdale represents hidden sin that continued to manifest as the story developed. Pearl represents the product of sin that is mutable to turn into a blessing with time and care. Chillingworth represents the depravity of hidden sin that becomes more powerful and influential on its owner. When these three forms of sin combine on one occasion both death and new life will originate and the progenitors will be the blame. Reverend Dimmesdale represents hidden sin that has been allowed to take root on a soul. “Many a poor soul hath given its confidence to me, not only on the death bed, but while strong in life, and fair in reputation. And ever after seul on outpouring, oh, what a relief I have witnessed in these sinful brethren.” (Hawthorne pg. 120) Dimmesdale describes that the sin has troubled and hurt him and the relief that others have shown when it’s released. “Trusting no man as his friend, he could not recognize his enemy, when the letter actually appeared.” (Hawthorne pg.119) The hidden sin corrupted the way that he viewed the world, distorting his perception of everyone around him. “The sufferer’s conference had been kept in an irritated state, the tendency of which was not to cure by wholesome pain, but to disagree and corrupt his spirited being. Its result on earth, could hardly fail to be insanity and hereafter that eternal alienation from the god and true, of which madnes... ... middle of paper ... ...ingworth’s unwanted manifestation had consumed Dimmesdale’s body, mind, and soul adding to Chillingworth's many infamies. In his last moment he called out to god, but it is unknown if he was answered. As a result Chillingworth was portrayed as a man who behooved the hidden sin that destroyed Dimmesdale, but it did nothing to harm the product of said sin. In this novel, the author demonstrates that sin has the ability to bypass the strictest rules in the form of three major characters: Reverend Dimmesdale, Pearl Prynne, and Roger Chillingworth. Dimmesdale's sin created Pear, the product of his shared sin. Chillingworth contributed to the sin’s effects leaving Dimmesdale deprived mentally and physically, but failing to hurt his product. Hawthorne shows that innocence can arise from evil, but with help, the evil can become something much more destructive.

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