Essay on Adultery Explored in The Scarlet Letter - 1108 Words

That Nathaniel Hawthorne to chose such a controversial topic as adultery for The Scarlet Letter, his nineteenth century novel of seventeenth century sexual repression and hypocrisy (Zabarenko PG), demonstrates a delicate yet changing climate with regard to infidelity. Historically, carrying on an adulterous affair back in such an era of Puritanism and traditional values was not taken lightly; in fact, by todays standards, such horrific treatment for what is now considered an everyday occurrence was more harsh than murders suffer by current standards. Those who acted out of the vows of matrimony centuries ago, as Hester Prynne did in The Scarlet Letter, paid a high price for their momentary pleasures of the flesh. In those days, the†¦show more content†¦In truth, they had little patience for much display of immorality at all, which ultimately became misinterpreted as a complete and total abhorrence to sexuality of any kind. This was not true, however, yet their strict moral code did not bode well with outsiders, making them appear ultra conservative. What is clear within the context of historical consideration is the emphasis placed upon judgement. To determine what is right for one yet not for another; to cast ones opinion over the entire populace as a painter might broadly stroke a blank canvass; to conclude that a person is wrong by the very act he commits behind closed doors, is to be harshly and unfairly judgmental. Small town mentality is wracked with judgement. There is no escaping its suffocating presence. Historically, communities were one entity where the private business of everyone was worn much like the Scarlet Letter itself: out in the open for everyone to know. There was no sense of privacy within a world of snoops and busy-bodies. Had there been even the slightest reprieve from such intrusions upon ones intimacy, it very well may be that Prynnes shameful act of adultery would have been judged by the one entity permitted to draw such a conclusion: God. One of the most saddening aspects of The Scarlet Letter is its historically paralyzing approach when dealing with Prynnes extramarital affair. It was clear that she and Dimmesdale were inShow MoreRelated Essay on The Consequences of Sin in The Scarlet Letter853 Words   |  4 Pages The Scarlet Letter:nbsp; The Consequences of Sinnbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; It can be concluded that the consequences of sin is the theme of Nathaniel Hawthornes, The Scarlet Letter. Hawthorne explored this theme by four distinctive levels of sin. Although each level was equally displayed throughout the novel, the communal sin of mans inhumanity to man outranked all else. 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This new way of thinking brought new literary styles, themes, and genres that were never explored before and are still found today. The literature of Romanticism allowed people to escape the harshness of reality and enter a different world. The establishment of a new nation encouraged the people to alter their philosophical way of thinking.Read MoreRomanticism s Impact On America Essay1376 Words   |  6 Pagesto romantic writings, the world focused on society and logic. Romanticism allowed people to start valuing individualism and to appeal to emotional responses. This new way of thinking brought new literary styles, themes, and genres that were never explored before and are still found today. The literature of Romanticism allowed people to escape the harshness of reality and enter a different world. The establishment of a new nation encouraged the people to alter their philosophical way of thinking