The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is a novel which portrays the message of sin and punishment, through the outcome of an adulterous relationship between Hester Prynne and Reverend Dimmesdale. ... His reaction, however, is not to palliate his suffering by confessing, rather, he further engrosses himself in self-mutilation by creating his own "scarlet A" on his chest, the conduit through which he attempts to atone for his sin. ... The Scarlet Letter is a novel that exemplifies the significance of adherence to Puritan tradition, and the fate of those who deviate from their doctrine. ...

• Word Count: 1174
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Guilt is a powerful feeling that evokes suffering of many souls. Dimmesdale's guilty conscience causes him much pain and results in his self-mutilation, periods of vigil, and deprivation of sleep. Hawthorne's use of omniscient narration creates a powerful image of Dimmesdale's feelings. With use of sympathetic tone Hawthorne creates an obscure atmosphere for the discussion of Dimmesdale's feelings of guilt and how he bears it. The feelings of torment and suffering experienced by Dimmesdale are delicately conveyed into the content of the novel by using complex diction a...

• Word Count: 393
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate