The Theme of Punishment of Sin in "The Scarlet Letter"

Style in literature is the way an author uses different literary elements to convey how one uses words. In the story The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hawthorne utilizes a unique style of writing in which he uses symbolism to enhance his text. Both of these elements help augment the theme of punishment of sin and isolation, which are portrayed through the main characters, Hester Prynne and Pearl in the chapter. These characters epitomize the theme in different ways due to their different backgrounds and actions in the novel.

One of the main themes in The Scarlet Letter is the punishment of sin which is expressed through the characters Hester. Heste lives a horrible life due to her committing an unforgivable sin that results in her having a baby in prison and being branded with the scarlet letter which is an “A”. She is shunned by society and is becomes a social pariah of the Puritan community. Hawthorne writes, “Mother,” said little Pearl, “the sunshine does not love you. It runs away and hides itself, because it is afraid of something on your bosom. Now, see! There it is, playing a good way off. Stand you here, and let me run and catch it. I am but a child. It will not flee from me — for I wear nothing on my bosom yet!” The sunshine symbolizes how society treats her as a criminal due to her scarlet letter which relays the theme of punishment of sin. In the end, due to the treatment of society, she is able to become stronger woman who is capable of helping others facing similar problems as she did.

Pearl did not face punishment like her mother but instead was isolated from society, because she didn't commit any sin but was punished indirectly due to her being the product of adultery which was considered unholy. The townspeople completely isolate her especially other children who throw rocks and other things at her. Hawthorne conveys Pearls isolation in the chapter The Forest Walk when he writes, ”Pearl set forth at a great pace, and as Hester smiled to perceive, did actually catch the sunshine, and stood laughing in the midst of it, all brightened by its splendour, and scintillating with the vivacity excited by rapid motion. The light lingered about the lonely child, as if glad of such a playmate, until her mother had drawn almost nigh enough to step into the magic circle too.” This exemplifies Pearl being affected by Hester's sin as she is lonely but, unlike Hester she is not bound to the Black Man and the sunshine willingly accepts her. The Black Man who symbolizes the devil and the sunshine which symbolizes the innocence and freedom of sin Pearl possess explains how unique she is from everyone else yet she is still isolated. Pearl eventually becomes successful and able to live a comfortable life even though she faced many hardships.

As seen from the essay, Hawthorne highlights his theme of sensation of sin and redemption through the main characters Hester Prynne and Pearl. Hester's sin was the main cause of everyone's suffering including her own daughters. Both characters in the novel are very similar and face the same problems of isolation and punishment of sin. Hester struggles with life and being punished for her sins causes her to see flaws and accept others while Pearl is punished without cause and is forced to be isolated from the rest of society. In the end both are able to recover their lives as Hester helps others and Pearl inherits Chillingsworth’s fortune.

Work Cited

1. Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter Salem: 1850. Print