The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne - 1201 Words

Inherently Flawed Nature â€Å"Here, there was the taint of deepest sin in the most sacred quality of human life, working such effect, that the world was only the darker for this woman’s beauty, and the more lost for the infant that she had borne† (Hawthorne 52). Nathaniel Hawthorne, a Dark Romanticism writer provides the book The Scarlet Letter, focusing on the idea of sin in a Puritan society exploring the basis of evil, sin, self destruction and mystery with the influence of Transcendentalism. The story comes to life on paper, March 16, 1850. Hawthorne was born 1804 and has family connections to the Salem Witch Trials creating heavy Puritan influence. The main character, Hester†¦show more content†¦Instead of the normal treatment which would be death, Dimmesdale has mercy on her. â€Å"The penalty thereof is death. But in their great mercy and tenderness of heart they have doomed Mistress Prynne to stand only a space of three hours on the platform of the pi llory, and then and thereafter, for the remainder of her natural life to wear a mark of shame upon her bosom (Hawthorne 59). Since Dimmesdale is the minister of the town, he is able to bend the rules and punishments foreshadowing what relationship and affections he may have towards Hester and Pearl. Through time the society begins to change their perspective on Hester; â€Å"Such helpfulness was found in her—so much power to do, and power to sympathise—that many people refused to interpret the scarlet A by its original signification. They said that it meant Able, so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman s strength† (Hawthorne167). Although the letter A has a negative perspective influencing the way Hester is viewed, towards the end it changes and evolves into a form of identity for her, having everyone view the connection of the letter to her. Hester not only struggles physically but also mentally through the process of redeeming her name. Dimmesdale, as the Re verend of a Puritan society, is held to high expectations by the citizens, fighting an internal struggle hoping to someday let it out and gain his freedom. If Dimmesdale was found to be Pearl s father and the reason for Hester suffering,