Hester Prynne Love In Scarlet Letter

Words: 1816
Pages: 8
Open Document
Love is a very powerful emotion and the love between major characters in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter has a profound effect on these people throughout the novel.The way these characters deal with the aspect of love reveals their differing personalities. Hester Prynne is very headstrong proud, and honest woman. Yet she has one weakness, love. Hester is so passionate about the love she feels for Arthur Dimmesdale that she is is willing to walk through fire if it means he will be safe. When emerging from the prison, Hester is described as “...tall, with a figure of perfect elegance on a large scale. She had dark and abundant hair, so glossy that it threw off the sunshine with gleam…” (Hawthorne, 35). A picture of beauty, looking …show more content…
He feels love towards Hester, yet is not strong enough to express it due to the conflicting love he feels with his religion which is what keeps him from admitting his sin. When first introduced, it was said that “there was an air about this young minister,-an apprehensive, a startled, a half- frightened look, - as of being who felt himself quite astray, and at a loss in the pathway of human existence, and can only be an ease in some seclusion of its own,” (Hawthorne, 44). Dimmesdale, unlike his secret lover, cares greatly what others think of him. He acts in such a manner that almost makes him seem odd because he does not want to be ridiculed by the people he speaks to about his love for religion. being in such a naive state, Dimmesdale is easily influenced by Chillingworth and begins to greatly consider telling the truth. The confliction he feels between who he loves and what he does is worsened by Chillingworth’s input. Dimmesdale is not mentally strong enough to deal with this problem and “In Reverend Dimmesdale’s secret closet, under lock and key, there was a bloody scourge. Oftentimes, this protestant and Puritan divine had piled it on his own shoulders…”(96). Dimmesdale is not rational in his current state so he decides that torturing himself is the only way he can attempt to get rid of the immense guilt he feels. Once reconnected with Hester, she …show more content…
Hester, a very headstrong and proud woman, cannot shake off the immense love she feels towards Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale is a very unsure man who cannot quite make a decision for himself, he needs constant reassurance. Chillingworth is very passionate and so determined that his whole life was dedicated to evil and investigation, leaving no room for anything else. Despite differing traits, all of these characters have a weakness for love, the difference in how they handle this is based on their mindsets and personality traits, both important and varying aspects of every human
Show More

Related Documents: Hester Prynne Love In Scarlet Letter

The Color Red In The Scarlet Letter

Allison Beranek Mrs. Moeller English 11 18 March 2016 Color and name symbolism In The Scarlet Letter, the author Nathaniel Hawthorne utilizes many colors and names to symbolize moods. In The Scarlet Letter Hawthorne uses the color black to symbolize evil and sin. Hawthorne uses black to show the pain that Arthur Dimmesdale endured because of the sin that he had committed. Hawthorne also uses the color black to show a similarity between the black man and sin. The black man in the forest represents…

Words 682 - Pages 3

Essay about The Character of Hester Prynne

The character of Hester Prynne changed significantly throughout the novel "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It is possible that her name, Prynne, rhymes with sin, just to further the connection between the character Hester, her actions, and everything around her. In the eyes of her Puritan townspeople, she is an extreme sinner; and has gone against their strict ways by committing adultery. She must now, therefore, wear a mark of shame on her bosom in the form of a scarlet “A” for the rest…

Words 698 - Pages 3

The Crucible And Scarlet Letter Comparison

Thematic Connections Between Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, The Scarlet Letter and The Crucible Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, The Scarlet Letter and The Crucible all contain one of the two branches of modern philosophical thought, also known as theological ethics. Theological ethics associate with religion, and are discernible throughout each piece of literature. Each author uses religion to control society in each of their texts. They display wrong Christian behavior in their writings…

Words 492 - Pages 2

What Does The Pearl Symbolize In The Scarlet Letter

Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter narrated the journey of a woman named Hester Prynne and the life the damsel in distress had to lead due to committing adultery. Hester had committed adultery with none other than Arthur Dimmesdale, a Puritan minister, and as a result, Hester gave birth to an illegitimate child named Pearl. Is there more to Pearl than what meets the eye? Pearl symbolized more than what the Puritan community describes her to be, the child of Satan. Pearl embodied the result…

Words 843 - Pages 4

College: The Scarlet Letter and Pearl Essay

The Scarlet Letter: Free Read Novel The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a novel where people in society judge others based on sin and strange actions. One town reputation is destroyed instantly by the exposure of her mark of shame. The hand stitched scarlet “A” on Hester Prynne’s dress represents adultery. Hester is not only scorned by the community as being an adulterer, but is criticized for being a young mother. Hester’s god gifted talent in hand sewing, however creates opportunities…

Words 763 - Pages 4

Scarlet letter Essay

Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter is a figure of shame and sin. Hester is looked down upon and shunned by the townspeople because she's has committed adultery. She is forced to wear the letter "A" to tarnish her reputation. Hawthorne's attitude toward Hester is different from the rest of the townspeople because of the way her presents her and finishes the story. As the novel continues the meaning of the scarlet letter changes from adulterer to able, adding to Hawthorne's true view of Hester Prynne…

Words 597 - Pages 3

What Does The Pearl Symbolize In The Scarlet Letter

Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter narrated the journey of a woman named Hester Prynne and the life the damsel in distress had to lead due to committing adultery. Hester had committed adultery with none other than Arthur Dimmesdale, a Puritan minister, and as a result, Hester gave birth to an illegitimate child named Pearl. Is there more to Pearl than what meets the eye? Pearl symbolized more than what the Puritan community describes her to be, the child of Satan. Pearl embodied the result…

Words 880 - Pages 4

Heroes in the Scarlet Letter Essay

Jessica Gee 11/1/12 English 11 The Scarlet Letter: Essay 1 In The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, there are many heroes. Many acts of courage and loyalty were done in the novel, and there are four main people who I think are the heroes in the story. Hester Prynne is the main hero since she is so loyal and Dimmesdale is a hero for his because of his bravery. Lastly, Chillingworth is the tragic hero of the story in my opinion. The villain to me was the Puritan society as a whole. All of…

Words 806 - Pages 4

Essay about Scarlet Letter

December 2012 An A for Hester In the novel, The Scarlet Letter, Hester fights through a series of many intense issues, some personal, and some very public. Throughout the book Hester goes through many love/hate moments with her letter, building a unique relationship with it. Soon after Hester gets punished for her sins, the letter becomes an intriguing topic for the small town society she lives in. Her daughter Pearl soon begins a particular wonderment for Hester’s letter, forcing her mother to…

Words 602 - Pages 3

What Is The Scarlet Letter Still Good People

but deep inside they are still good people. Therefore, the novel, The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is the evidence of proving this theme. The novel narrated a dark tale of love, crime, and revenge is revolved around the tragedy marriage of Roger Chillingworth and Hester Prynne. Chillingworth was a man who adores and trusts his wife, Hester Prynne, to only have his love betrayed by her. Alone in New England, Hester Prynne committed adultery with another man, Authur…

Words 211 - Pages 1