The Truth Behind Lies

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Recommended: The scarlet letter, critical analysis

Ones unwillingness to acknowledge what they have done wrong is like putting a mask on reality. The mask covers up the lies and wrong doings but can also be the answer to all errors and misunderstanding. The novel, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, emphasizes how sin and lies lead to humiliation and punishment. Hester Prynne was a young Puritan woman who committed adultery and was forced to wear a scarlet letter “A” next to her bosom. In spite of her sin Hester was blessed with a beautiful baby girl named Pearl. Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale punished Hester for her error even though he too committed the same crime. Through the Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne portrays hypocrisy as a sin that leads to great injuries. These injuries represent the internal guilt the individual carries with them throughout their life.

Since hypocrisy can lead to internal guilt, it emphasizes the idea of self- preservation because no one wants to endure the public shame in revealing their sin. Letting one’s reputation become important than one’s life can lead to many complications. Rev. Dimmesdale was too afraid of the punishment and humiliation he would have to face. So he kept the sin locked inside his heart. Hawthorne uses rhetorical strategies such as tone to communicate an attitude towards the subject. He also uses diction which refers to his word choice to emphasize the meaning of the quote. Rev. Dimmesdale talks Pearl out of her idea in standing out in front of the public to confess his sin. The thought of “the dread of public exposure” had the “anguish” built inside him quickly returned. He was already “trembling at the conjunction” in which he found himself (126- 127). The tone in this passage is anguish and afraid because he is absolutely ter...

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...t because he feared he public shame he would have to endure after revealing his sin. No one should be living a double life they should be the same as they are in public as in their personal life.

Hawthorne depicts hypocrisy as a struggle to between public recognition and private guilt. This guilt can lead to extremes in which no one will be able to live with. Hypocrisy can lead to internal guilt it emphasizes the idea of self- preservation because no one wants to endure the public shame in revealing their sin. Hypocrisy can eat an individual’s soul alive. Meanwhile hypocrisy changes people in many ways but doubt lingers because one cannot trust their feelings or words. Hypocrisy is much harder to be forgiven or healed from then a sin which has already been revealed. Hypocrisy is a feeling that can easily lead to the wrong path and change one world upside down.

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