The Scarlet Letter Thematic Analysis Essay

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Recommended: Critical analysis over the scarlet letter

ATTENTION-GRABBER The Scarlet Letter is written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It takes place in the middle of the sixteenth century but was written in the eighteenth century. Hawthorne tells the story through his point of view about the scarlet letter he finds years before writing the story. When the story begins, Hester is being tried for the sin she committed while holding a baby. She commits adultery and receives a punishment of wearing the letter “A” on her bosom. Throughout the novel, the story behind the letter is revealed and many of the secrets behind the letter are revealed. Hawthorne believes hope can change outcomes for the better over time. Hawthorne shows hope through Hester who changes for the better, Dimmesdale who admits his sin, and Pearl who gives hope to Hester.
Hawthorne shows hope through Hester who changes for the better. After she is let out from prison she is forced to stand on the scaffold for three hours. Hester then decides to move away from society and isolates herself and Pearl off near the woods. As years go by, Hester starts to involve herself more in the society and helps around. Hester gives hope to some of the people in the society. As she gives hope people begin to think her letter means “Able” instead of “Adulterer.” Hawthorne writes, “Such helpfulness was found in her,—so much power to do, and power to sympathize,—that many people refused to interpret the scarlet A by its original signification. They said that it meant Able. . .” (158). Hawthorne believes in hope, and little by little Hester begins to change for the better. Hope is shown through Hester because at the beginning of the novel there seems to be no hope or future for Hester. As the novel progresses, so does the hope Hawthorne has for Hest...

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...t of hope just through that instance that Hester tells the witch no because she had Pearl to take care of. Since Hester said no, there was hope that Pearl would help Hester make different decisions throughout the novel. Hawthorne revealed hope through Pearl to Hester.
In conclusion, Hawthorne has a lot to say about hope and it shows throughout the novel. Hawthorne shows hope through Hester who changes for the better, Dimmesdale who admits his sin, and Pearl who gives hope to Hester. Hope also means to believe or trust. From beginning to end the theme of hope is constantly showing up, especially through Hester, Dimmesdale, and Pearl. Hawthorne believes that hope can even change outcomes for the better if you just give it some time to work everything out.

Works Cited

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York: Tom Doherty Associates Inc., 1987. Print.

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