by Amanda Teo

Created on: March 04, 2009

Thesis Statement: "The Scarlet Letter" illustrates three different kinds of sin that can escalate to encompass one's self, so that the true human behind the sin are lost.

While the Puritans viewed adultery as a nefarious sin, the way Hester dealt with her own adultery caused her Puritan society to view her as a better person that just a sinner. Hester Prynne's sin forced her to live a life that was isolated from society and even herself. As a punishment, she was compelled to wear the letter "A" on her chest for the rest of her life. The letter exposed her sin which provided her an easier time dealing with the consequences. Although the society often criticized Hester, it never affected her. Instead, she told the magistrates, "This badge has taught meit daily teaches me" (Hawthorne 102). She used her sin to grow into a stronger and better person, reminding herself not to fall into the hands of the devil again.

It is ironic that Hester and the scarlet letter were intentionally reminders to society not to follow, but eventually, her actions led her to become a legend. "The scarlet letter ceased to be a stigma which attracted the world's scorn and bitterness, and became a type of something to be sorrowed over, and looked upon with awe, and yet with reverence, too" (Hawthrone 196).
Instead of being looked as an adulterer, she was known for being "able" and an "angel". She was once lost and hidden behind sin, but she redeemed herself and was looked as a woman with strength and dignity.

Dimmesdale's life was the total opposite of Hester's. He did not have his sin out in the open but chose to ensconce his shame. Dimmesdale felt he held a bigger responsibility to the society as he was a reverend in a church. He was idolized and thought highly of. His high position made him hesitate to repent. He proved to be a sinner against God, against men and against himself. His guilt haunted him everyday for seven years, making him live in a lie. The result of this worsened his health daily. Not because of a disease, but due to the effect of sin and remorse in this heart. His body refused to listen to his heart said causing him to loose his true self.

Although Dimmesdale lived a hard life, he was still capable of preaching. The day he preached his finest sermon, the congregation interpreted it allegorically rather than as expressions of any personal guilt. Standing on the Scaffold, he said to the town, "ye, that have loved me!-ye that have deemed me holy!-behold me here, the one sinner

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