Summary:
The characters in the novel `The Scarlet Letter' by Nathaniel Hawthorne offers the reader an insight into the puritan belief and psychology of sin was in their society. I believe that we are all sinners and the Puritanism is elitist in its sphere of influence. The idea that puritans are the `enlightened few' is contradicted by the bible itself; "Thou shalt not judge."
The Psychology of Puritanism contained many stands of fundamental obligations. Although the puritans openly acknowledged natural human desires, they had a strongly held belief in moderation in all things. They did recognise the need for intimacy and this idea is proclaimed in Hawthorn's novel 'The Scarlet Letter'. Puritans quite often explained the significance of a halite and intestinal mind. Some Puritans, like those in the novel, which depicts the lives of 'Massachusetton' puritan, were rooted to the belief in compulsory uniformity.
Puritans had seemingly developed the notion that God was fulfilling his 'contract' or 'covenant' with people, so that they could secure salvation. By making reference to 'The Scarlet Letter'. There are untying examples, which I will show illustrate the preoccupation of puritans with 'Sin'.
The puritans, any willingness to take part in sex on the part of husband and wife, 'Denies all realer in wedlock into Human necessity; and it sends it for supply into Bestiality,' Any engagement onside the marriage sexually, was looked upon badly as New England especially reported numerous episodes of adultery and fornication. Perhaps Dimmesdale on the novel, tired to avoid the obvious punishment of jail or even the humiliation of whipping, disentrancing, fies and a ported betrothal to Hester. Hester certainly bore the brunt of her sin, by wearing a scarlet 'A' on her breast. She had clearly committed the sin, as the evidence was visible. He, however had no markings of adultery so in the eyes of society, he hadn't committed a sin. Perhaps this reiterates the arguments that, in case of sexual behaviour, they 'thought' the sin, 'committed' the sin and broke a moral high ground in puritan society.
Perhaps Hawthorne is attempting here, to attract sympathy for Hester and to assume that Dimmesdale be treated, partially, by an audience, as a hypocritical Minster. He bore no markings of a sinner, so does this make him an innocent man"
Dimmesdale is not innocent by any means, but the fact that he persecutes himself; in order to redeem himself is a sign that despite any public knowledge of his behaviour, he is disgusted with his actions and chosen perhaps a noble and just penance.
Puritans were strict in their beliefs, and perhaps the way in which they forbid any 'Romantic' values from being practiced, perhaps showed their willingness to portray as sinners, the weak minded and 'tempted' children of God. Hester was indeed, a true example of a temptress, an 'Eve' of her time. She was the reason for Dimmesdale sin, as he was arguably unwilling to commit adultery with her, but he was lured into her spell, her conscience was lacking, whereas his was clear.
This would arguably have been clear-cut for Hawthorne to suggest, as he chose to keep to the original plat of thoughts and actions and indeed, consequences.
Hawthorne arguably, as well as sympathetically, portrayed Hester as the adulteress and the victim. He would do this by displaying the 'invisible' effects of sin as Arthur Dimmesdale illustrated the coward who heard the removal of his privileged puritan lifestyle as a Minster to God and was happy to let Hester suffer the consequences.
However, through Chillingworth, Hawthorne was the aspect of vengeance to perhaps, make Dimmesdale aware of the sin which society didn't know of, but that which Dimmesdale had every intension of committing. "That she should stand on the platform.... Of pillory."
Whilst she falls victim to the ridicule of gossipers, Hester is further humiliated most importantly, by Dimmesdale; "I charge thee to speak out the name of thy fellow - sinner and fellow suffer!" This highlights Dimmesdale' actions as being intentional or even conscious. He was able and willing to commit the sin as long as another bore the consequences for both their actions. Hester is further isolated by Dimmesdale whenever he calls for Reverend Wilson's discourse, in order to convince the public of his moral stance in society.
However, despite Dimmesdale's ignorance and refusal to admit his part in the 'Affair' he does begin to show us that his intentions were clear, by showing his guilt and desire to make amends for his actions. He realises that he must raise his voice in support of Hester and their child, Pearl by advocating that Pearl be allowed to remain with Hester.
This courage although slight, emerges as an isolated incident as Dimmesdale retreats into his cowordice by failing to admit publically, his betrayal. He instead conceals his persecution by self-condemnscine. Does this show Hawthorne's intentions, which are obvious, to illustrate his own opposition to Puritanism.
Maybe his support of women in real life is reflected in his writing to illustrate the hypocrisy of the Puritans and to satirise their native mindset, which advocated that they were God's Elect"
Therefore the acknowledgment of his sin is indicted by his self-hatred and his desire to repent. Without meaning or willing to commit the sin, he could've easily portrayed Hester as a temptress and his position would've still been upheld or understood.
Arguably, out of acceptance of your mistakes the intent in the beginning, again reiterating Hawthorne's attempts to use his work as a way of showing the unjust treatment of sinners by the Puritanical authorities.
Dimmesdale calls himself "Vile", which highlights his self-hatred and his desire to confess but that it's a challenge to hard to contemplate yet. Pearl also features as a replica for Dimmesdale as Hester's sins, as he climbs the scaffold to explain; "Come up hither, Hester, thou and little Pearl." This episode shows that he has been brought to reality and that slowly but surely, he is confessing his sin and admitting his position on both sinner and father. Perhaps this is Hawthorn's intention, to make Dimmesdale a better man, though learning to make conscious decisions and accepting that his mind and actions were both clear; Pearl being the ultimate relic or embalm of sin and redemption.
However, just like any weak ma, like Adam in the Garden of Eden, Dimmesdale deserts his past as Minister, listening to the advice of Hester, that; "Heaven would show mercy." He flees holy punishment, which is a reminder of his cowardice, as he has left behind an unconfessed sin. Indeed, Dimmesdale's real reminder of his sin is neither Pearl nor Hester, but the perusing Chillingworth who eventually leads to the public confession of Dimmesdale, who can only take such a drastic step to escape Chillingworth.
Hester takes no dramatic measure; she does not conform to the traditional puritan tradition of modelling a 'Grey A', but instead chooses to embroider a prominent 'Scarlet A', in defence of her womanhood and her deliberate denial or spite for the puritanical magistrates. She, instead of being found guilty of proper adultery, is perhaps arguably guilty of extreme arrogance or pride. She is perhaps also defended by Hawthorne here, as she is converted from a lustful woman into a maternal figure of strength and independence.
Hester also respects the fact that Dimmesdale was afraid to disclose his secrets, therefore her merits can be found in her own scorn as the Scarlet 'A' was so bright, that perhaps it blinded or distracted the society from what lay beneath. But perhaps Hester was known as Adulteress and so, because of her challenge to Puritan beliefs and her public admittance of her sin, is the reason for Hawthorne's portrayal of her as 'Able' and a mother who is only trying to raise a child under religious burdens and condemnation as well as constant betrayals. She had turned her 'A' into a valuable lesson and in doing so, she had developed for herself, a place in puritan society and that was one of sternness and responsibility.
She effectively became a challenge to puritan beliefs, she not only protects herself, but also protects those condemned with society; this the pursuit of Dimmesdale by Chillingworth was challenged by Hester; "Hast thou not tortured him enough"." Unlike Hester and Dimmesdale, Chillingworth doesn't wish to make himself an honourable man; he instead unveils the truth in a callus way, having been blinded by jealousy and revenge. He epics the Puritan fundamentalist, an irrational and cold man.
He can be seen to act immorally as he becomes obsessed with the discovery of the sinner and the truth. This again shows his willingness to break the rules of Puritanism and to remain unconscious of his flaws. Perhaps Hawthorne's is opened to the Hypocrisy of puritans, so depicts the actions of Chillingworth to, (instead of sharing Hester and Dimmesdale's flaws) but more his own.
Ironically Chillingworth set out to find his man who had sinned with his wife. This became such an obsession, that he forgot that his lust for truth and obsession with Dimmesdale humility, as indeed a sin in the eyes of God. This in turn points out that Puritan society, although attempting to show itself as forthright and just, was comically depicted as a judgemental hypocrisy.
Therefore the characters in the novel 'The Scarlet Letter' by Nathaniel Hawthorne offers the reader an insight into the puritan belief and psychology of sin was in their society. I believe that we are all sinners and the Puritanism is elitist in its sphere of influence. The idea that puritans are the 'enlightened few' is contradicted by the bible itself; "Thou shalt not judge." This is further supporting my views that everyone sins, everyone contemplates, but that some of us unfortunately pretend that we or they don't do either. Do we also have to bear a 'Scarlet A' in order to be labelled a sinner, or can we delve deeper and discover that we all, even puritans fall short of perfect.
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