Isolation in The Scarlet Letter Essay - 654 Words

Isolation in The Scarlet Letter In the New Testament it states that the wages of sin is death. Though the penalty of sin in The Scarlet Letter is not a termination of life, the evil of isolation can be a physically, morally, and socially tortuous event in Puritan society. Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale, in Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter, are both victims of the cruel isolation from Puritan society on the basis of their sins. Hester wears her sin upon her breast where it stands as a constant reminder of her malfeasance. Shame and isolation strip her of all passion and femininity, leaving her a shell of her former self. Though Arthurs mark of shame is not visible, it is all the†¦show more content†¦When Hester walks through her town a sort of magic circle [forms] itself around her. Devoid of any social contact, save that of her daughter, Hester must endure of lonely existence. In all her intercourse with society, save that of her daughter, there was nothing that made [Hester] feel as if she belonged to it.; therefore, she turns to herself for reflection of her shame. When Hester must walk through the town, she suffers an agony from every footstep. Frequent suffering does not inure Hester to her inner torment; instead, the same grows more sensitive with daily torture. Hesters ostracism from a stoic society and the burdensome nature of her shame, deprive her off life. Treated as a dangerous delinquent by society, Hester begins to question her humanity. Due to her intense suffering, some attribute [departs] from [Hester], which had been essential to keep her a woman. Stripped of her passion and femininity, Hester is left as an iron character with a solemn manner. Hesters shame remains to haunt her until her dying day. Reverend Dimmesdales bought with the evils of isolation is distinct from Hesters due to the fact that his sin remains a secret from the public. Tormented by his grievous sin and the duplicity of a fraudulent lifestyle, Dimmesdales physical stature is destroyed. ArthurShow MoreRelatedIsolation In The Scarlet Letter1220 Words   |  5 PagesDavid Grace Ms. Barich ELA 12 Sec. 01 17 October 2017 Isolation in The Scarlet Letter There has been a constant dispute over whether people should be governed by determinism or free will. Determinism is the idea that our actions and fate are predetermined and every occurrence can be explained or has a reason for happening; free will, in contrast, is the idea that we have the ability to act independently of external restraints. In the 17th century, Puritan society arose in New England as one thatRead MoreIsolation In The Scarlet Letter Essay848 Words   |  4 Pages Isolation is defined as being far away from other places, buildings, or people; remote. Isolation can come in many different forms: physical, spiritual, emotional and mental. 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