Guilt In The Scarlet Letter

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Guilt is one of the main recurring themes in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter. It is demonstrated to us in different ways, some are obvious and others need some analysis in order to understand. The story revolves around Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth, and how they live consumed by guilt because of a sin they committed. Even though the sin they committed involved each of them, they handled it differently. While Hester’s sin was publicly condemned, she admitted guilt and changed her life in a positive way. On the other hand, Reverend Dimmesdale kept his guilt hidden from the public, which led to a life full of bottled up remorse. Chillingworth dealt with his guilt in a whole different way; he stops living …show more content…

On top of that, she became pregnant and did not reveal who the father was. Since the puritan church was head of political power, sins were considered crimes. When Hester confessed to have committed adultery, she is humiliated in front of the whole town, and is sent to jail. Also, she had to wear a scarlet letter “A” on her bosom, meaning adulterer. When she got out of prison, she was given the option to leave the town, but she denies. However, staying did not do any good to her or her daughter; they were condemned to
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solitude and isolation. Hester has two reminders of her crime, the scarlet letter on her chest and Pearl, who represents the beautiful outcome of a terrible sin.
Hester felt that she had enough of the guilt and isolation, so she began to get involved with the community. She started helping the sick and the poor by bringing food and clothes to them. She changes her attitude completely in a powerful way. This led to the townspeople forgiving and accepting her. Thus, changing the meaning of the scarlet letter from ‘’Adulterer’’ to ‘’Able’’. The town masters offered Hester the opportunity to remove the Scarlet letter, but she denies; accepting the letter as a representation of the guilt that is a part of her. I believe this is the best way to deal with one’s guilt, changing your ways and using them in a positive

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