Essay On Symbolism In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

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From controversial themes of mortal sin, humanistic identity, and distinguished religion, The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne in 1850, is recognized as one of the most acclaimed gothic novels inspired by the Puritan life. Hawthorne sets this novel in Boston, Massachusetts around 1642, in the times were Puritanism was focused on developing the Church of England into an earnest and severe society for God (Puritanism). Above all, “Church was the cornerstone of the mainly Puritan society of the 17th century” (Shah). Moreover, Hawthorn displays the obstruct characteristics and denominations that the Puritans residents must follow in order to live a holy and simple life; however, the main characters of the book, Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, Pearl, and Roger Chillingsworth, deviate from the typical norms of Puritans, causing them extreme consequences in their consecutive years of living. Moreover, during the three main scaffold scenes, these characters show an interrelated connection that was deeply felt by the Puritan society but…show more content…
Moreover, the irony of the typical juxtaposition between good and evil is shown profoundly in his role itself. In context with the Puritan belief, ministers are seen as “the essential moral, political, and spiritual leaders in the society” (Puritanism). Particularly, they determine the appropriate decisions for the society under the requisites of God and encouraged the community into the right path of holiness instead of sin from the material world (What). Ministers were the role models for the essential belief in God, for example, known Puritan minister Richard Sibbes proclaimed the idea that "The whole life of a Christian should be nothing but praises and thanks to God; we should neither eat nor sleep, but eat to God and sleep to God and work to God and talk to God, do all to His glory and praise”
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