Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlett Letter

Classically, the genre of romantic writing involves the anticipatory enmeshment of the lives of two lovers and, to their misfortune, their acts of infidelity and deceit. Led to popularity by the author himself, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter is a prime example of early romanticism. Through the unforeseen lives of Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale, the catastrophic forthcomings that inevitably occur within a hidden romantic relationship unfold, leading the individuals to a singular outcome. After permanently establishing their relationship through their little Pearl, the duo both delve into their own unique forms of self-punishment under the impression that it will allow for reconciliation and, as a result, brew a more hopeful future. Disregarding their motives towards bettering themselves, Roger Chillingworth barrages the unpredictable pair with heavy questioning and a weighty presence as he searches for the true identity of Pearl’s father. In due time, the lover’s furtive values vanish, and the craving to profess their sins in tandem prevails as the rightful replacement. Living under the classification of vastly dissimilar societal positions, Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale arrive at an identical fate through their different paths.

Demonstrating their mutually derivative necessity to maintain secrecy and nurture unhappiness in their independent lives, Hester and Dimmesdale utilize different, unconventional methods as sources to cope with their sin-tainted hearts. Upon “the very day when Hester Prynne first wore her ignominious badge,” Dimmesdale begins his fatal seven year journey of self-defeat “by extracting hideous torture upon himself” (Hawthorne 211). Unfortunately, beyond all fathomable fantasies, Dimmesdale...

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...to the Puritan’s shameful limelight. In their earthly lives, Hester and Dimmesdale’s resolution to escape together from the confinements of Boston becomes an unattainable feat, but they find each other once again in their immortal lives as, upon their burial “one tombstone [serves] for both” (215). In an unforeseeable manner, Hester and Dimmesdale’s mutually decisive goal of unity is met in their afterlife due to the Puritan’s own obtrusive awareness towards their relationship. Presumably, the Puritan’s give Hester and Dimmesdale a common tombstone to signify their unity in sin; however, the indestructible duo infinitely unites in their everlasting lives. Experiencing appropriate stressors for their specific journeys, Hester and Dimmesdale’s desire to publically display their unity overrides their contrasting lives as they are ultimately led to an identical legacy.