Free Essay on Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter - The Message :: Scarlet Letter essays

The Message of The Scarlet Letter   Nathaniel Hawthorne, a critically acclaimed American writer of the 19th century, was born in Salem, Massachusetts in 1804. The novelists book, The Scarlet Letter, is purportedly his best work, and universally considered a literary classic. Concerned with nefariousness and consequences of dealing with it, Hawthornes work relates to his own personal sense of shame about his ancestors persecuting roles in the seventeenth century Salem Witch Trials. By indirectly dealing with his sense of guilt through fictional circumstances, he shows his viewpoint as being highly critical of the Puritans while teaching a strong moral lesson in the process. Graduating in the middle of his class from Bowdain College in 1825, he went on to write a variety of long stories, short stories, and articles. Generally his writings contained powerful symbolic and psychological aspects of the effects of pride, guilt, sin, and secrecy (Encarta, 1997).   Although many moral lessons are dealt with in the book, the well-nigh significant thesis Hawthorne proved was salvation can only be earned by being open about and true to what you are. Using exquisite characterization, description and expression he develops his thesis by showing the consequences of hiding sin, like Arthur Dimmesdale, and of publicly acknowleding it, like Hester Prynne. Through Hesters daily struggle with her public punishment to wear a scarlet letter A on her clothing to remind her and e veryone in the Puritan community of her adultery, she learns how to cope with and triumph over her sin against humanity. On the other hand, Reverand Arthur Dimmesdale, Hesters equally guilty partner in the crime, refuses within himself to publicly confess his sin until the end of the novel, whereas shortly after he dies. Thus, Hawthorne summarizes the detain importance of being truthful about oneself in his quote, Be true Be true Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some mark wher eby the worst may be inferred, (236)   The authors overall presentation is very clear because to the emphasis of his main point of truth setting people free. It drags the reader into the action and enables them to live with the characters, at the same time as teaching a valuable lesson in dealing with lifes obstacles. The style of his writing is very symbolic, descriptive, and detailed. He creates very vivid images of the story through elaborate adjectives.