Mistress Hibbins In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

Another quality that Hester is blessed with after her sin is the ability to perceive those who fall into sin. In that period, when some people were charged of being a witch, a number of people in The Scarlet Letter were also involved in sin, one of whom was Mistress Hibbins. The Governship took provision for the witchcraft, and those who were involved in one such occasion would be punished by death. Mr. Bellingham, the governor, uses a firm hand against superstition yet his sister Mister Hibbins is involved in witchcraft. This clearly indicates that along with the church another high-esteemed institution is also corrupted. Hawthorne shows the corruption of the institutions indirectly. In the introduction part of the novel, he exclaims that

When she accepts the letter, she is at peace with herself, and this allows her an open mind in contrast to the society because the society is devoted to institutions; thus, they cannot develop individually. Especially, their religious rituals and their homage to the church prevent them from forming an identity. Whenever Dimmesdale preaches, he sees those who listen to him in admiration, yet deep down he knows that he is a sinner. Therefore, he subconsciously feels terrible for he thinks he is also a corrupted sinner. As a matter of fact, this is why his sickness comes to existence. Even though he tries to overcome and forget that he committed a sin, subconsciously he is aware; therefore, he is fragile and prone to anything. Dimmesdale tries to distort the reality, and soothes himself. Hester, on the other hand, accepts what she has done and develops individually. She is not devoted to any institution; she tries to find her inner peace. Herein, Pearl’s place is undeniable. Although she is not devoted to her children, Hester braces up from Pearl. Her presence is soothing for her. Pearl is helping Hester to confront her sin. This is why when Governor Bellingham wants Pearl to be taken away from her mother for she is not getting a proper religious education, Hester is very much distressed. The ultimate decision maker is Dimmesdale, and his conscious will not let him allow