The Power of Sin in Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter :: Scarlet Letter essays

The Power of Sin in The Scarlet Letter Sin is the main theme in the Scarlet Letter. All of the characters in the book were somehow affected by the main sin, which was adultery. The three main characters were the most widely affected, and their whole lives were molded by the way they dealt with the sin. The sin surrounds, encloses, and strangles them. There was no escaping from its harsh consequences. Hester Prynne's sin was as an adulteress, and the result of this was that she had to wear the scarlet letter "A." She feels that her sin has taken away everything she had, and given her one thing in return; her baby. Although she had dignity and pride when she first stepped out of the prison and when she stood upon the scaffold this "A" unfamilarized and seperated her from the community, and she stood alone with her child as she does for the most part of her life following this event. From then on, she was to live away from the community with her baby, Pearl, and was shunned by everyone. The sin she has committed has made her think that death would be an easy way out and that she deserves little, for she says, "I have thought of death, have wished for it, would have even prayed for it, were it fit that such as I should pray for anything." Throughout the next years, the sin Hester committed changes her personality and identity. Once a beautiful woman, Hester now looks plain and drab. Once passionate, she is now somber and serious. She had contained a precious quality of womanhood that has now faded away. Her plain gray clothes symbolize her temperament and disposition. There are also good effects that the sin has on her. She becomes more giving and caring, and is endlessly helping the poor and sick and doing neighbors favors. Hester feels that she owes it to the community, and is also forcing herself into a life of service to others. The sin stays with her throughout her life, and even when she leaves her town, she feels obligated to come back and fullfill her punishment. The sin made her lifestyle worse, but it changed her