Scarlet Letter Identity Quotes

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Scarlet Letter Essay

Nathaniel Hawthorne is the author of the fictional, Puritan-inspired novel, The Scarlet Letter. The themes he displays throughout this novel often center on the inherent evil and sin of humanity, while also containing moral messages. Deep, psychological complexity is another main theme found in his works. His character, Hester, reveals some of this complexity with the identity she creates for herself apart from society. By wearing the fiery letter upon her chest she is represented as a terrible sinner, greatly shaping Hester’s identity in the book with the public shaming she encounters and the recognition of sin being a part of who she is --a Puritan woman.
To begin, the public shaming which Hester receives from the community …show more content…
This quote emphasizes her ability to recognize the chance to make up for what she did, and ultimately teaching herself the lesson. The scarlet letter shapes Hester’s identity by making her aware that she can improve herself with each passing day, and she cannot hide her sins, nor should …show more content…
Sin is a part of everyday life, as is the new found embroidery she must now wear upon her bosom. Hawthorne establishes this when he writes, “Thus is was with the men of rank, on whom their eminent position imposed the guardianship of public morals. Individuals in private life, meanwhile, had quite forgiven Hester Prynne for her frailty; nay, more, they had begun to look upon the scarlet letter as the token, not of that one sin, for which she had borne so long and dreary a penance, but of her many good deeds since,”(111). This suggests the idea that sin is normal, and will grow to make you who you are. As the townspeople realize that Hester has grown and become almost saintly, she does so at the same time. Hester’s behavior of not removing the letter is brought on by her want to discover her own identity. She does this rather than to allow others to decide her identity for her. Discarding the letter would mean she accepts that society influences her decisions. Society wants her to feel that the letter is a mark of shame and her failures.With this is mind, Hester uses her power within her to see the scarlet letter as a symbol of her own experiences and the sin that has made her saintly. Her adultery is a significant piece that has molded her into something beautiful. She is just
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