Hidden Sin and Guilt: Hidden sin and guilt is a major theme in The Scarlet Letter. Dimmesdale is a prime example of this theme; throughout the whole book he battles with the sin that he is hiding. He feels very guilty and his health is deteriorating because of this. Hester’s “A” shows as a reminder to all of the townspeople that they all have sin that they are hiding and feel guilty about what they have done. Hawthorne is trying to teach his audience that it is better to tell the truth about the wrongs you have done rather than hide these wrongs and internally suffer from guilt.
Evil in a “Pure” Society: Hawthorne is very keen on stressing the idea that there is evil in a society that is supposed to be good and pure. Mistress Hibbins is a witch and follower of the devil but lives in the Puritan community. Chillingworth is an evil man who is trying to destroy Dimmesdale for committing adultery with his wife. Dimmesdale, thought to be one of the purest and most holy men in the community, has committed adultery and lied to the whole community about it. All of these characters show how the Puritan society is not pure at all; rather, it is full of hypocrites who are trying to convince each other that they are extremely good and holy.
Alienation: Alienation is a key theme in how Hester and Pearl were treated throughout the book. Hester is forced to move out of the community and live in a secluded house by the woods. She is shunned by the townspeople whenever she goes in Boston. The Puritan people are scared of the affect that being around Hester will have on them and decide to shun her. This theme shows how Hester suffered and was a martyr because she told the truth while everyone else lied about their sins.
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Hidden Sin and Guilt: Hidden sin and guilt is a major theme in The Scarlet Letter. Dimmesdale is a prime example of this theme; throughout the whole book he battles with the sin that he is hiding. He feels very guilty and his health is deteriorating because of this. Hester’s “A” shows as a reminder to all of the townspeople that they all have sin that they are hiding and feel guilty about what they have done. Hawthorne is trying to teach his audience that it is better to tell the truth about the wrongs you have done rather than hide these wrongs and internally suffer from guilt.
Evil in a “Pure” Society: Hawthorne is very keen on stressing the idea that there is evil in a society that is supposed to be good and pure. Mistress Hibbins is a witch and follower of the devil but lives in the Puritan community. Chillingworth is an evil man who is trying to destroy Dimmesdale for committing adultery with his wife. Dimmesdale, thought to be one of the purest and most holy men in the community, has committed adultery and lied to the whole community about it. All of these characters show how the Puritan society is not pure at all; rather, it is full of hypocrites who are trying to convince each other that they are extremely good and holy.
Alienation: Alienation is a key theme in how Hester and Pearl were treated throughout the book. Hester is forced to move out of the community and live in a secluded house by the woods. She is shunned by the townspeople whenever she goes in Boston. The Puritan people are scared of the affect that being around Hester will have on them and decide to shun her. This theme shows how Hester suffered and was a martyr because she told the truth while everyone else lied about their sins.
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