The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Howthorne

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Sin has a lasting and painful effect that may have nothing to do with the act at all. If, perhaps, the transgression was stealing, the individual whom stole may feel guilt for committing the awful deed; guilt has nothing to do with theft, prison has to do with theft. There are two entities that ensure punishment on individuals who act in ways that are interpreted as wrong: the world, and the individual. Hawthorne portrays this concept greatly in his book The Scarlet Letter. Hester Prynne and Aurthur Dimmesdale, main characters in The Scarlet Letter, share a punishment throughout their time in the colonial settlement of Boston; Hester is punished by the world while Dimmesdale is punished by himself. Not unalike Hester and Dimmesdale, the song “The Silence” accurately portrays the impact that sin has over an individual. Every choice requires the mind to distinguish between what is morally right and wrong; given the choice, the affects can be influential and lasting to the physical and mental welfare of the individual. Self-manipulation, torture, and anguish are a few expenses that sin can cost. However, to truly understand the pain that Hester and Dimmesdale endured, it is necessary to experience their pain firsthand; at least to some degree.
When I was a child, I learned how important it was to be honest and admit to my mistakes. When I was about ten years old and living in Shelby, Ohio, I often went over to my friend Emily's house for fun and games. Emily's mother, Barb, and my mother, Tracy, would spend plenty of time chatting while Emily and I went outside and played. One day, we came up with an amazing idea to go and jump on her mother's car just for the fun of it. Emily's mother's car was four-doored and red; very sleek; I go...

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...sgression. Dimmesdale, on the other hand, had the exact opposite endeavor. Dimmesdale never admitted his sin until the very end of the novel. Instead of slowly feeling better about his acts, he slowly feels worse. Dimmesdale is ultimately tortured and manipulated by himself while Hester is living a more free and fulfilling life. The girl in the song knew the pain that both Hester and Dimmesdale suffered through. Even through she admitted her sin, she still felt remorse; however, silence and solitude the she has come to suffer through will eventually set her free. The punishment that the world executes on a sinner has no ground compared to the punishment that the sinner gives him or herself; it is the act of redemption that can truly end the torment that is derived form the price that sin costs.

Works Cited

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. Barnes and Noble Books. 2012. Print.

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