The Scarlet Letter "Hawthorne's Study of Sin and Guilt"

Much of the greatness of Hawthorne's novel lies in its careful and minute consideration of guilt and its impact. Hawthorne was not so concerned with sin itself as with "the wages of sin," and the way the lives of each of his three main characters are changed by sin in vastly different ways.

Hester Prynee emerges as the main character of The Scarlet Letter. Like Parson Hooper's veil in "The Minister's Black Veil," Hester's scarlet "A" serves as a public symbol of her private sin. Because Hester is able to declare her guilt openly, she is freed from excessive remorse, and her sin serves to enrich and dignify rather than to destroy her. The letter makes her stronger and more an individual. At first shunned and humiliated by the townspeople, Hester behaves with decorum and grace, helping others who are hungry, sick, or in need. Slowly the disdain of the townspeople turns to admiration, and the scarlet letter comes to stand for able rather than adultery. Hester is also helped in her spiritual recovery by her belief that her adultery is a sin against human, not divine, laws. She dreams of a new social order with laws more in keeping with human nature and the quest for happiness.

Arthur Dimmesdale, on the other hand, is tormented by his sin and enjoys no peace. He lacks the courage to risk his important position in society by admitting his sin publicly, but is unable to achieve any inner calm while living with his hypocrisy. Dimmesdale never doubts that he has sinned against God. Publicly he becomes more and more passionate and effective in his moral counsels to his congregation. Privately he is torn with self-hatred, and his body wastes away because of the remorse that gnaws at his soul.

Roger Chillingworth is the tale's arch villian, a man whose all-consuming thirst for vengeance turns him into a monster. Chillingworth's sin is the worst sin of all, for he invades the sanctitiy of another person's soul. A learned man, a scientist and physician, he uses all his knowledge of the human heart to deepen Dimmesdale's agony. But Dimmesdale is not the only victim of Chillingworth's quest for revenge. Chillingworth's relentless hatred degrades and transforms him into a devil without ultimately destroying Dimmesdale's immortal soul.

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