Hester Prynne was married to Mr. Prynne. After arriving in Boston and been without her husband for some time, she is unfaithful to her husband, and have a child. This is a sin in the Puritan society, and she will be punished for that. It is as if there always follows a dark shadow with Hester, she wears grey clothes and hat, for her not to stand too much forward in the crowd, but the red letter lights up strongly.
The Puritan society of 17th century Boston is characterized by its stringent moral codes and its emphasis on community over the individual. Hester Prynne’s act of adultery is not just a personal sin but a transgression against the societal norms that bind the community together. This society, steeped in the teachings of Calvinism, believes in predestination and the inherent sinfulness of mankind. The scarlet letter “A” that Hester is forced to wear is not just a mark of her sin but a constant reminder to the community of the omnipresent threat of moral decay. This scarlet letter is an embodiment of the concept of original sin, as discussed by theologians such as Augustine, who argued that sin is an intrinsic part of human nature.
Pearl is the symbol of Hester’s sin, or as we would call it Hester inner ferocity. This is also seen in the way Pearl behaves in, she is very wild and unruly. Still, she is seen as a child of nature. She has been “produced” in sin outside of marriage, and she behaves wildly. She represents everything they believe is evil.
Pearl’s wild and unruly behavior can be examined through the lens of Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s theory of the “noble savage.” Rousseau posited that humans are born inherently good but are corrupted by society. Pearl, being a product of sin in the eyes of the Puritan community, is ironically closer to nature and thus embodies a purity and wildness that starkly contrasts with the repressive social norms around her. Her character challenges the community’s binary perception of good and evil, suggesting that there is an intrinsic innocence in her wildness that defies Puritanical categorization.
Arthur Dimmesdale is a priest in Boston. The red “A” on Hester’s breast can stand for Arthur Dimmesdale, the man she was Pearl with. The man she loves and the father of Pearl. As a priest in Boston, he is the symbol of everything good in the Puritan community. Yet he made this mistake, and now he tries to hide it. As Hester he tries also to hide what he is passionate about.
Arthur Dimmesdale’s internal conflict and hypocrisy can be examined through Sigmund Freud’s theory of the psyche, particularly the concepts of the id, ego, and superego. Dimmesdale’s affair with Hester represents the triumph of the id, the part of the psyche driven by primal desires, over the superego, which upholds societal rules and moral standards. His subsequent guilt and attempts to hide his sin reflect the struggle of the ego, which mediates between these conflicting forces. Dimmesdale’s deteriorating health and psychological torment symbolize the destructive power of repressed guilt, a theme explored in Freud’s work on the unconscious mind.
Chillingworth is Hester’s husband. He came to Boston, where he took the name Chillingworth, as he did not want anyone to know who he was. When he comes to Boston is the first thing he sees his wife Hester to be convicted of adultery.
Chillingworth’s transformation into a figure of vengeance can be analyzed through the philosophical lens of Friedrich Nietzsche’s concept of ressentiment. Nietzsche described ressentiment as a deep-seated resentment, frustration, and hostility that arises in individuals who perceive themselves as powerless. Chillingworth, feeling betrayed and humiliated, allows his ressentiment to consume him, leading to his single-minded pursuit of revenge against Dimmesdale. This obsession ultimately dehumanizes Chillingworth, reducing him to a mere embodiment of vengeance and illustrating Nietzsche’s warning about the corrosive effects of such emotions.
In extracts are we in America in the 17th century. The narrator of the story is thus an external 3rd person narrator who goes into the characters and describes what they feel and think.
The use of a third-person omniscient narrator in “The Scarlet Letter” allows Nathaniel Hawthorne to explore the inner lives and psychological complexities of his characters. This narrative technique aligns with the principles of Realism, a literary movement that emerged in the 19th century, which aimed to depict life and human behavior in a truthful and objective manner. By delving into the thoughts and feelings of Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth, Hawthorne provides a nuanced portrayal of their struggles and moral dilemmas, challenging the simplistic moral judgments of the Puritan society.
The message of the text is that we should not judge and the wrong person often sees evil. The evil in this story is Hester Prynne and her daughter seen as evil because it is against the rules to be her husband cheating. The message of the text is that we should not judge and the wrong person often sees evil. The evil in this story is Hester Prynne and her daughter seen as evil because it is against the rules to be her husband cheating. But in reality it is her husband who is the evil in this story because he’s mean facing Hester and is so determined to find her lover. He manipulate and threaten Hester with that if she publisher his real identity, will Hester and her lover pastor Dimmesdale be hanged for adultery.
The central theme of judgment and the perception of evil in “The Scarlet Letter” can be further explored through the lens of Michel Foucault’s theories on power and societal control. Foucault argued that societal norms and laws are tools of power used to control and regulate behavior. In the Puritan society depicted in the novel, the public shaming and punishment of Hester serve to reinforce social order and control. However, the true evil, as revealed through Chillingworth’s actions, lies in the abuse of this power. Chillingworth’s manipulation and threats illustrate Foucault’s idea that power, when wielded for personal vendetta, can be far more insidious and destructive than the transgressions it seeks to punish.
Moreover, Hester’s resilience and dignity in the face of public condemnation can be interpreted through the existentialist philosophy of Jean-Paul Sartre. Sartre posited that individuals are defined by their actions and choices, rather than by societal labels or judgments. Hester’s refusal to be broken by her punishment and her determination to live authentically, despite the scarlet letter, embody Sartre’s belief in the primacy of personal freedom and responsibility. Her journey is a testament to the idea that true morality is found not in blind adherence to societal norms, but in the courage to live in accordance with one’s own values and principles.
In conclusion, “The Scarlet Letter” is a profound exploration of sin, guilt, and redemption, set against the backdrop of a rigidly moralistic society. Through its complex characters and rich symbolism, the novel delves into the psychological and philosophical dimensions of human behavior. Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth each embody different aspects of the human condition, reflecting the timeless struggle between individual desires and societal expectations. The novel’s enduring relevance lies in its ability to challenge readers to question the nature of judgment, the true meaning of sin, and the possibility of redemption.