There are many images of truth shown in Hawthorne's novel, "The Scarlet Letter." These images give the reader a look into the minds of the characters and a different perspective on the situations at hand. Many of these images show a turning point in the novel, as well. Dimmesdale, Pearl and Hester show the different instances where truth was brought out in society.
In the beginning of the novel, there is a scene in which Hester was forced to stand on the scaffold and have everyone scorn her. She shows the scarlet A on her chest for all to see, and braves their criticism. Although Hester is one with a great sin, according to the Puritan society she lives in, she also shows the truth these situation because she is letting the people recognize her sin and acknowledge it. She chooses not to hide the truth from them, unlike reverend Arthur Dimmesdale.
At one point during the novel, Dimmesdale is so fixed on his sin that it has caused his downfall and worn him away. In this scene, he goes to the scaffold after his election day sermon and asks Hester and Pearl to join him because he is so weak that he can barely support himself. In this instance, the reader sees that truth is finally exposed to Dimmesdale's followers in the book, and this is a highly significant scene. Dimmesdale tells his followers that he deceived him and about how he has done so. He has felt guilt for so long and finally he passes away with no secrets to hide from anyone; a burden has been lifted off his mind and he dies peacefully. He knew that he was so worn out from the entire situation that it would be too late to be saved anyway. This scene is also important to the chraracterization of Hester because it is the first time that she is not in complete control of her emotions.
The most significant reason for Dimmesdale's breakdown is evident throughout the course of the plot. It is the fact that he has kept his sin a secret.
Running from the truth makes him feel even more guilty. ... To Pearl, the scarlet letter is simply part of her mother. ... The significance of the scarlet letter in the life of Dimmesdale, whose guilt remains hidden, is suggested by a hidden scarlet letter on his heart. ... Chillingworth, his tormentor, knows the truth about Dimmesdale. ... She still wears the scarlet letter, even though it is not expected. ...
She continues to wear the scarlet letter there. One of the conflicts in The Scarlet Letter is one man's battle against himself. ... The Scarlet Letter is overflowing with symbolism. ... The Scarlet Letter "A" is the central symbol of the novel. ... The scarlet letter also forges a link between the characters. ...
One work of literature that I feel truly does illuminate several of these great quests is The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. ... Several of the "great quests" were displayed in this novel, including truth, and honor. ... Dimmesdale wanted the truth to come out so they could regain their honor within the community. After Dimmesdale's death, he was thought of as a strong and honorable man, while Hester , still adorning the scarlet letter was looked upon with sorrow, as someone who has gone through tough times. ... The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne is undeniably one of ...
A Judgmental Society in Ministers Black Veil and Scarlet Letter Our society is too judgmental and it always has been. Even in the time Hawthorne wrote of in The Scarlet Letter and in "The Ministers Black Veil" people judged before they knew the truth. ... Again in The Scarlet Letter, I can think of two more major examples where an object was used as a sign or omen. ... All it was, was a letter nothing more, nothing less. ... In The Scarlet Letter the meteor meant some great act of God or the Devil was about to take place. ...
The settings in both The Scarlet Letter and The Crucible are similar in many ways. The Scarlet Letter takes place around the 1640s, as the The Crucible occurs in 1692. ... The general aspects of characters are also similar in both The Scarlet Letter and The Crucible. ... In The Scarlet Letter, there is a minister, Dimmesdale, a political! ... However, more parishoners like Dimmesdale in The Scarlet Letter than Parris in The Crucible. ...
The two authors of The Crucible and The Scarlet Letter had different views on topics, which are expressed through their literary works. ... But, in The Scarlet Letter the true nature of evil is seen as more of an adult trait. ... That view is not very different from Nathaniel Hawthorne's view on the forest in The Scarlet Letter. ... This is the exact opposite of how the theme of truth is seen in The Scarlet Letter. In The Scarlet Letter, truth is seen as a thing that is precious. ...
Throughout The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne touches upon the progression of women's status in society. ... However, outside of that community, the scarlet letter on her chest does not have the same scandalous meaning. The author uses the scarlet letter as a symbol of the society's view of Hester. ... After she moves into the forest with Pearl and starts a new life, the scarlet letter on her chest has a new significance: The letter was a symbol of her calling. ... Hester believes that someday a new truth will reveal mutual happiness between men and women. ...
Censorship of The Scarlet Letter Any book dealing with an issue that is considered immoral will face conflicts of opinion when released into a society. It comes to no surprise to me that as soon as The Scarlet Letter was published the church attacked it as "dirty" and "immoral". ... I found it interesting that one parent condemned the book for use of 4-letter words, even though it doesn't use bad language. ... Most of the people that condemn The Scarlet Letter seem ignorant. ... If you expect a student to just know about issues like adultery, sex, drugs, and racism without any school inv...
