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The Scarlet Letter Duality

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Things are not always what they seem. Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter uses the central idea of duality to exemplify this. A key symbol of duality Hawthorne presents in The Scarlet Letter is Hester Prynne's embodiment of her sin: the beautifully embroidered scarlet letter. Forcibly placed upon Hester's bosom, the letter punishes her for committing adultery with the town reverend, Arthur Dimmesdale. The badge also intends to outcast her and her daughter, Pearl, from the Puritan society of Boston. Although the "A" originally acted as Hester's punishment, the interpretation of the scarlet letter varies for Dimmesdale and Pearl to juxtapose Hester's unwavering perspective. Besides Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale has the biggest personal …show more content…
When the novel starts, Pearl, only a few months old, appears with her mother in front of all of Boston in the town square. Along with the townspeople the "first object of which Pearl seemed to become aware was... The scarlet letter on Hester's bosom!" (89). Sin, courage, acceptance, and rebellion simultaneously shining like the gold thread on the letter catches the eyes of both Pearl and the townspeople. As an infant with no earthly experience, she reveals how impactful the scarlet letter is on her as well as the people around her: even as a baby nothing but the bold manifestation of sin attracts her attention. Gradually, Pearl becomes more aware of the intent of the letter, "The sunshine does not love you... Because it is a afraid of something on your bosom... It will not flee from me!" (170). Pearl now comprehends that the "A" outcasts her mother from all parts of society, including nature. To her, it is no longer merely an embroidered letter that catches her naive attention, it is part of her mother's …show more content…
Hawthorne gave the letter a duality; having it in one case change over time and stay consistent no matter the obstacle in another. He did this to give not only the characters greater depth but to show how things are not always what they seem. Having Dimmesdale long for his own manifestation of sin; Pearl gradually understand the purpose of the letter; and Hester stay consistent in her belief created an unforgettable take on the punishment of sin and the duality of the letter

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