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Diction, And Denotation In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

696 Words3 Pages

During the early 1600’s, Puritan groups migrated from Europe to the Massachusetts Bay Colony to establish a settlement based around very strict religious beliefs. The Scarlet Letter is set in this time period and settlement where it was considered a horrendous sin to commit adultery. Hester Prynne engaged in sexual relations with the minister, Dimmesdale, which resulted in a child named Pearl. This novel highlights Hester’s struggle to raise her child and protect herself from the societal attacks thrown at her, while overcoming the label bestowed upon her by society. In, The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses specific diction, repetition, and denotative diction in order to convey the purpose of overcoming labels and protecting one’s image. …show more content…

The specific word “departed” (Hawthorne 185) is used to describe the feeling of freedom Hester gained when she removed her scarlet letter while she was in the woods with Dimmesdale discussing the chance to run away to Europe. The use of the word “departed” insinuates leaving something behind to start a better journey. This creates a stronger effect to convey the feeling that Hester has prevailed through the difficult endeavor and is ready to start anew. If a more general word, such as “left,” was used, then the effect would not be as strong because the word does not create the feeling of overcoming and prevailing through something to start over. The specific word “departed” used in this novel relates to Hester’s relief and freedom when she took off the scarlet letter, and develops the feeling that her shame and anguish from the sin has now left. This word and strategy support the purpose by showing that Hester has overcome her label and the attempt to protect her image by removing the scarlet letter and creating a better life for herself and …show more content…

He uses this word by its literal meaning of total devotion to oneself to convey Hester’s triumph over society and how she has focused more on herself throughout the years. This conveys the sense that Hester no longer feels like she does not belong in her society for the sin she committed, for she has developed a self awareness that allowed her to thrive and overcome the label given to her. This word and strategy support the purpose by elaborating on how dedicated to herself and making her life better Hester had become. It exemplifies the strength Hester obtained to overpower her label and free herself from the chains of society of the time

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