Sanil Chawla
Ms. Nina LaRosa
English 11H, Period 5
9 January 2017
Response to Sin
Sin is nearly inevitable. Whether by just a lie or by a grand theft, almost everyone succumbs to sin at some time or another. In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the power of sin on an individual is thoroughly examined. By contrasting Hester’s internal development that results from her persecution with Dimmesdale’s internal deterioration that results from his secrecy, Hawthorne shows that one’s response to sin has far greater effects than sin itself.
Facing the adversity that resulted from her sin rather than hiding from it led Hester to become a stronger person. In describing Hester’s decision to remain in Boston, Hawthorne explains that “Here…had
…show more content…
A revered preacher with a great reputation, Dimmesdale is generally considered a saint by the townspeople. Thus, he understands that confessing his sin of adultery will not only destroy his reputation, but also wreak havoc in the Puritan society of Boston. However, his value for morality clashes with the consequences of confession, and leads to constant internal conflict that leaves Dimmesdale in turmoil. Hawthorne crafts Dimmesdale and Hester to exist in nearly exact opposite states: Hester’s openness and acceptance of her sin means she can repent her sin and redeem herself, but Dimmesdale’s lack of responsibility and cowardice results in years of pent up guilt that physically affect Dimmesdale, shown prominently in the deterioration of his physical health throughout the course of the novel. The effects of this guilt are also present when Dimmesdale sees the meteor in the night—while most saw it signifying Governor Winthrop’s passing, Dimmesdale’s heavy conscience skews his vision and causes him to view it as a sign of his Adultery.
In the development and deterioration of Hester and Dimmesdale, respectively, Hawthorne emphasizes that one’s response to sin is much more important than sin itself. By owning up to her mistakes and attempting redemption, Hester is able to develop into a saintly figure, while