Effects Of Sin In The Scarlet Letter

Jacob Olejnik

Ms. White

Honors English II

25 January 2023

The Psychological Effects of Sin in The Scarlet Letter

Nathanthiel Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter, brings forth a discussion on the differences and effects that sin can have on people. In the novel, an important question is asked: Is it better to show the sin to the public, or better to keep it private? Hester Prynne and Reverend Dimmesdale have committed the sin of Adultery. Hester has been publicly caught and shamed as a result of the pregnancy, but Dimmesdale struggles with the sin in private. The Scarlet letter is a Psychological novel discussing the different effects sin can have on a person. Hester Prynne must deal with sin publicly after she is found to be with child.

He has to bear the complete weight of his sin, and this is worsened by his profession, where he is expected to be the least blameless of all. Dimmesdale therefore feels an incredibly unhealthy amount of guilt. Throughout the novel, his condition progressively worsens, to the point where “He looked haggard and feeble, and betrayed a nerveless despondency in his air which had never so remarkably characterized him in his walks about the settlement…,” (Hawthorne 179). Dimmesdale displays the physical effects of guilt and grief. He has nobody to share his sin with, in contrast to Heather, who must share it with the world. Because DImmesdale cannot share it, it falls completely on himself and leads to a terrible weight of sin and guilt that ultimately begins to reveal itself physically. This weight leads to his destruction as his mental state worsens and worsens as he tries to deal with the idea that he is a fraud. He is stuck in a constant struggle with no escape that leads his mental health downwards. As Dimmesdale does not have a letter to punish him, he feels he must do it himself. At night, “In Mr. Dimmesdale’s secret closet, under lock and key, there was a bloody scourge,” (Hawthorne 136). Dimmesdale is so guilty that he feels his only outlet is self-harm. His mental state has descended so much to the point where he feel that he has to whip himself. The weight of the sin and guilt have broken him down so much

In a private discussion, Dimmesdale asks Hester “‘Hast thou found peace?’” (Hawthorne 181). They recognize that they both feel an immense guilt as an effect of their sin. They have both had to struggle with this guilt, though in different ways, and some healthier than others, it is a shared struggle that they have both struggled and wrestled with to try to overcome the shame that has been placed on them. In finding this other person that truly understands them, they are able to lift themselves out of their despair and share a common moment to support each other in. Another moment where they support each other in shared punishment, is on a nightly visit to the scaffolding, a place where punishment is inflicted. In this moment together, “There seemed to be a tumultuous rush of new life, other life than his own, pouring like a torrent into his heart…” (Hawthorne 143). Though the effects of sin are incredibly crippling, Hawthorne shows that support and moments together can greatly reduce the negative effects of the sin itself. Dimmesdale is rejuvenated from his despair, and in being social and sharing his grief, has lifted himself from the chasm, showing that the effects of sin are lessened through support and social