Characters in The Scarlet Letter Essay

The Scarlet Letter

Throughout Nathaniel Hawthornes novel, The Scarlet Letter, different characters have different ways with dealing with their appearances versus the reality. These characters mainly include Hester Prynne and Dimmesdale. In the novel, The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Dimmesdales cowardliness to hide from the truth and Hesters strength to confess and face the punishments deserved portrays how the main characters care about their appearances versus reality.

Hester Prynne, being a single mother, raised her daughter that was conceived by committing adultery that wasnt with her husband at the time. He laid his right upon the shoulder of a young woman, whom he thus drew forward; until, on the threshold of the prison door, she repelled him (Hawthorne 49-50). Back in the puritan society, its safe to say that a man was looked as the dominant of males and females. For Hester to jerk his hand off of her like that truly portrays the rebellious strength this woman has. Strengthened by years of hard and solemn trial, she felt herself no longer so inadequate to cope with Roger Chillingsworth as on that night, abased by sin, and half maddened by the ignominy, that was still new, when they had talked together in the prison-chamber. She had climbed her way, since then, to a higher point (Hawthorne 151). As shown in the quote, Hesters confession of her mistakes has paid off. Not only have people forgotten about the A, but gave it a whole new meaning. This being angel or savior.

Until about the very end of the book, Dimmesdale was too afraid to face the punishments that he deserved. But wilt thou promise, asked Pearl, to take my hand and mothers hand, to-morrow noontide? Not then, Pearl, said the minister, but another time. And what other time? persisted the child. At the great judgment day, (Hawthorne139). Right away, it is shown how much of a coward Dimmesdale is, that he would rather stand on the scaffold when no one is there, rather than when everyone in the town is there at noon the next day. May god forgive thee! said the minister. Thou, too, hast deeply sinned! he withdrew his dying eyes from the old man, and fixed them on the woman and the child. My little Pearl, (Hawthorne228). This took place in the final of the three scaffold scenes, where Dimmesdale finally mans up a little and confesses his sins to the public. After this asks pearl to kiss him, she does, and finally the father daughter bond is made. Dimmesdale feels free from his sins and slips away with death soon after.

In the novel, The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Dimmesdales cowardness to hide from the truth and Hesters strength to confess and face the punishments deserved portrays how the main characters care about their appearances versus reality. Throughout the book Hester slowly brings back the towns acceptance after quickly admitting her mistakes and facing her consequences. Dimmesdale on the other hand, slowly made his way to confessing. It took a while, but finally realizes what is right and he confesses. Now is confessing or face consequences the main point Nathaniel was trying to get across, probably not, but confessing itself and the advantages that come in the future with it, was probably one the lessons he was trying to enlighten the reader with.