Amelia B. Professor Gao English 430 Spring 2012 “Scarlet Letter” Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter is a story full of themes of guilt‚ pride‚ hypocrisy‚ retribution‚ and isolation. Taking place during the seventeenth century‚ the story of Hester Prynne and her famed scarlet letter depicts a story of unconceivable proportions. Guilt‚ Sin and Judgment Perhaps the foremost purpose of The Scarlet Letter is to illustrate the difference between shaming someone in public and allowing
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In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter the story takes place in Puritanical America where the young Hester Prynne‚ after committing adultery is punished on the basis of what the town thinks is right. She is simultaneously a part of the town and is also pushed away from it. Hawthorne explores the theme of liminality between society and nature through the motif of setting to convey the isolation that comes with sin. The scaffold (where Hester stands to face her consequences)‚ Hester and Pearl’s
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Symbolism in The Scarlet Letter “He that falls into sin is a man; that grieves at it‚ is a saint; that boasteth of it‚ is a devil” (Thomas Fuller). In modern times‚ society doesn’t sentence a man to jail time for committing the crime of adultery. We have grown to accept adultery more in our society today than people did in the 17th century. Back then‚ committing the sin of adultery was as bad as murder‚ and an adulterer could be sentenced to death. Luckily for Hester Prynn in The Scarlet Letter‚ she is
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literature‚ there are many ways to indirectly convey or foreshadow events‚ settings‚ and situations. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter uses a great deal of literary devices and techniques in order to effectively lead the reader towards his viewpoint and‚ finally‚ towards his purpose. The sin of adultery‚ which acts as the base and impetus for much of the plot in The Scarlet Letter‚ affects Hester Prynne‚ Arthur Dimmesdale‚ and Roger Chillingworth the most; however‚ each of the preceding is affected
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English III H P.3 October 16‚ 2012 Mr. Dicus The Scarlet Letter Regret as a verb is defined as “to feel sorry about something previously done that now appears wrong.” Throughout The Scarlet Letter‚ Nathaniel Hawthorne uses characterizations to illustrate Hester Prynne’s journey of overcoming her regret‚ adultery‚ on which this whole book is written. The puritan people intended to shame Hester when she is branded a sinner with the use of a scarlet colored “A”‚ but Hester learns to embrace the “A”
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Tamara Kunkel English III February 1‚ 2011 The nature of sin is a questionable aspect to any society. A truly cruel hearted man that never acted on his evil intentions is considered commendable‚ yet when a genuinely acceptable person slips‚ and makes a bad decision they are considered condemned. This is the strange connotation that Nathaniel Hawthorne attempts to dissect before our eyes in the book‚ The Scarlet Letter. “Thus she will be a walking sermon against sin...” (58) Says the
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mistakes. So‚ no one person can rightfully point their finger in judgement‚ when he too has fallen short of perfection. In The Scarlet Letter‚ Nathaniel Hawthorne contrasts between outward appearance and inner secrets using elaborate symbolism‚ distinct irony‚ and theatrical dialogue to develop his argument that hypocrisy is eminent in all societies. The Scarlet Letter portrays the townspeople as a fierce and judgmental group symbolizing the hypocritical characteristics in the members of a society
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Bryce Hernandez March 16‚ 2013 Ms. Leonard English 11 Redeeming the Sins of the Scarlet Letter Sin is as much a part of life as anything else‚ and most are not simply forgiven over time for their sins. They must redeem themselves‚ through actions and words‚ for their sins. Sin and redemption is not only a theme of life‚ it is also a major theme in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The Scarlet Letter takes place in New England‚ during the Puritan Era. The novel takes place around a sin
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The Scarlet Letter The scarlet letter is a tragedy. The puritan society is responsible for Dimmesdale ’s downfall because its members expect him to be perfect‚ and he is not. His inability to give the people what they require from him ultimately leads to his downfall. Dimmesdale has an affair with Hester Prynne‚ a married Puritan woman. Hester gives birth to their daughter‚ Pearl. "Children have always a sympathy in the agitations of those connected with them; always‚ especially‚ a sense of any
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THE SCARLET LETTER: A UNIT PLAN Second Edition Based on the book by Nathaniel Hawthorne Written by Mary B. Collins Teacher’s Pet Publications‚ Inc. 11504 Hammock Point Berlin‚ Maryland 21811 Copyright Teacher’s Pet Publications‚ Inc. 1997‚ 1999 This Lit Plan for Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter has been brought to you by Teacher’s Pet Publications‚ Inc. Copyright Teacher’s Pet Publications 1999 11504 Hammock Point Berlin MD 21811 Only the student materials in this unit plan such as worksheets
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