The Scarlet Letter: The Penal System

Society advertises that every decision has a consequence. However, society does not disclose that it determines the consequence of the action. Whether a “sin” be breaking a government’s law, committing a social injustice, or simply expressing an opinion, society awaits the distribution of its consequences. The most prevalent shape of this distribution system is a government. A governing body, once established by a society, possesses the power to dictate actions the people are allowed to engage in. In order to maintain control, governments develop a penal system, which is commonly the first building in a new town. It is an establishment that intimidates the members of a society to follow a set of rules or guidelines. This unavoidable system

Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale was the leader of the Puritan community. They referred to him as a “godly man” and the quintessence of pure holiness. They looked to him as an example, expecting him to always follow the strict Puritan laws. However, Dimmesdale breaks one of the most sacred religious laws, adultery, and never confesses his sin(Ch 23, Pg 247). He did not confess because he knew the consequences the community would enforce upon him. Thus, the penal system of the Puritan community is the quintessence of “corrupt”.

The Puritan community established their penal system in order to protect and secure their religious beliefs. Any colonist who broke their sacred law would be hypocritically, strictly, and subjectively punished. The most highly respected man in the community was not fully obeying the system, which proves that is is also extremely corrupt. The community considered their penal system “successful” when it corrected a sinner of their wrong doing, and maintained a highly respected reputation (Ch 2, Pg

In A Lesson Before Dying, without attending the trial, Grant stated that he knew Jefferson would receive the death sentence (Ch 1, Pg 3). Jefferson’s defense attorney only argued that his lack of education was to blame for the murder (Ch 1, Pg 7). He did not deny that Jefferson committed the crime at any point, and did not care about the verdict (Ch 1). The jury, comprised of twelve, white men, immediately found Jefferson guilty, meaning “death by electrocution” (Ch 1, Pg 8-9). The racism within the penal system led to Jefferson’s death. Thus, Gaines strategically devotes the entire first chapter of A Lesson Before Dying to the trial to underscore racism’s influence within the penal system of the