The Scarlet Letter

Nevertheless, the self-righteous are always ready to throw stones at those having what appears to be a real problem concerning their 'sinful conduct.' Joseph Schwartz states: "From Hawthorne's point of view the Puritan way of life, their denial of civil liberty for others, and their theology combined to give an unfavorable aspect to the national character. It created a social system, based upon an identification of law and religion, that trammeled itself as it did the people who lived under it" (Schwartz 46). Such is the situation in The Scarlet Letter in which all persons are guilty of a secret sin. This theme runs through the novel. The problems of sin and guilt are thr

. . .
y Hester; however, his thirst for vengeance against her far exceeds any wrong doing she has perpetrated. Chillingworth's sin is judging his fellow human beings--only God can do that. Hester's Puritan neighbors are also guilty of judging others. Hester's plight is a direct result of her evil thoughts. They may think they are practicing virtues, but they are sadly mistaken. Christian love does not include judging one's neighbors. Nevertheless, Hester's hypocritical neighbors say about her: "This woman has brought shame upon is all, and ought to die. Is there not law for it? Truly, there is, both in the Scripture and the statute-book. Then let the magistrates, who have made it of no effect, thank themselves if their own wives and daughters go astray" (Hawthorne 49). Such is the judgment of society upon Hester. But society is not a worthy judge of these matters. Instead of following the teachings of Jesus concerning love, these people of seventeenth-century New England adhere to their own narrow rules and sanctimonious regulations. Because of this, perhaps Hester's enforced isolation from the rest of her neighbors is more of a blessing than a penance. Social banishment provides Hester with time for reflection; and it a
. . .

Some common words found in the essay are:
Roger Chillingworth, Scarlet Letter, Seventh Commandment, Jesus Judge, Truly Scripture, Hester Prynne, John Erskine, Schwartz Hawthorne's, John Calvin, Ironically Dimmesdale, scarlet letter, hester prynne, thine own, beam thine, society hester, beam thine own, roger chillingworth, scarlet letter 'a', thirst vengeance, ye judged, judge ye, arthur dimmesdale, thine own eye, judge ye judged,
Approximate Word count = 1560
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)

More Essays on The Scarlet Letter