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Sin And Knowledge In Nathaniel Hawthorne's 'The Scarlet Letter'

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The Scarlet Letter questions the human fallacy regarding sin and knowledge. The novel asks its readers whether they believe in their ability to comprehend the difference between right and wrong. Through the depiction of the prude mindset of the Puritan society - exaggerated in a way which truly emphasizes the idea of this fallacy, readers receive this question shockingly to where the message is indirectly concise, yet easily translated. Biblically, sin represents a lack of proper execution of one's knowledge. Similar to the story of Adam and Eve, thus, is that of Hester and Dimmesdale - their sin resulting in their exile. However, in question is the context of the word knowledge. Hawthorne questions the validity of correcting a theory with another theory. That is, he challenges the Puritan rules aimed to avoid sins - set by other Puritans, given the religious background of the people. Is a self-proclaimed Christian truly a Christian if they commit a sin themselves by showing no forgiveness? And - if not, what are they? These two questions - when pertaining to The Scarlet Letter, challenges morality when set by inevitably sinful beings. …show more content…

For example the scarlet letter itself proves the variation of "knowledge" as according to its holder. The people feel they "know" the difference between right and wrong and so deem themselves able to judge Hester on her sin. Ironically, they simultaneously misjudge the character of Dimmesdale solely based on what they have been told they know. Hester though - reflectively (that is, when momentarily disregarding the turmoil she endured from the people rather than the 'punishment' itself), sees the scarlet letter not as her final sentence, as she believes it to be a symbol which makes her bolder and freer than the other women constantly glaring at her from a

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