The scarlet letter

Introduction

The Scarlet Letter is well-known novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. This masterpiece of literature is purely based on a simple idea on the lines of the Bible sentence “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Gross, 30). Hawthorne has beautifully based his entire novel this context and explained the situation brilliantly.

The novel is set in the mid 17th century and is the story of Hester Prynne, who is publically punished for committing adultery. She is imprisoned and after getting released from the prison she is forced to wear a scarlet letter around her neck for the rest of her live. The scarlet letter is the indication that she has committed a crime. She gives birth to a girl named Pearl as the result of the adultery but refuses to disclose the identity of Pearl's father.

Discussion and Analysis

The novel begins with the "Custom House" part, which claims to interpret the breakthrough of Hawthorne's Scarlet note that led to his story about Hester Prynne, the adulteress - as judged by the community and forced to wear a symbol of lawlessness (Gross, 33). Scribe dedicates itself to note the material to feel as if he really know how the passions, which provoked the Esther and her minister, Arthur Dimmesdale, to become lovers. The aim is to make Hawthorne readers identify with the human emotions that transcend historical contexts and value systems.

Pearl is portrayed as an elf Hester's, unpredictable daughter. She denies repeat the catechism for governor and, therefore, the risks taken by their mother. The collection of Hester and Arthur in the forest, she delights the Minister as a competitor when he kisses her forehead, she hurries into the stream and cleans unwanted kiss. Pearl is a symbol of adultery. Hawthorne also called Pearl of the "living hieroglyphic," which simply means that she is getting older, must be able to "read" the identity of the father from the study of facial features. Thus, it is not only a symbol of adultery and a symbol of guilt, but also a symbol of craven fear of the impact of Dimmesdale.

Hawthorne insisted in the "Custom House" and others that he is the author of romances, in which he suggested that, for all the historical authenticity of his work, he is not a realist and symbolist, a dreamer who studied under daily aspects of things in the dark, dark human motivation. Master of ambiguity, it is one of honor ancestors of modern fiction, and Scarlet Letter his finest achievement, beautifully constructed work of art differs exquisitely balanced handling of moral issues and conflicting human personalities .

The father turns out to be Hester's minister, Arthur Dimmesdale, who during the entire novel hides his crime, and quietly see Hester getting humiliated and ridicule by everyone for the crime committed by both of them. He maintains his good image in the society by hiding his crime. In the end of the novel, out of guilt he reveals his secret in front of everyone and dies immediately after ...