Scarlet Letter

A common theme throughout literature is religion and how the author feels about his or her faith. Nathaniel Hawthorne uses rhetorical devices to draw comparisons between characters and events in The Scarlet Letter and Biblical figures and accounts. A few of the devices found in this novel that connect it to the Bible are symbolism, paradox, allusions, and characterization. It is important to first look at the characters and how they are described through characterization.

The first rhetorical device is characterization. The way the main characters are described by Hawthorne sets up how they will be perceived. It is through this that we see the first inklings of biblical figures. Biblical characters are seen in Pearl, Hester, Dimmesdale, Chillingworth, and the Puritan people. The first is that Hester has many traits in common with the Virgin Mary. Both are originally shunned by society, but later accepted. Although Hester has sinned, within her the reader sees a character who is very loving and with the birth of Pearl, motherly. The fact that Pearl is the child of Hester, or the Virgin Mary as we have now identified her, it is only natural that we examine her as Jesus. The origins of Pearl and Jesus are similar in that both their mothers do not expect to have the child. But as they grow up, it becomes clear that the are not ordinary children. Both characters posses an innate ability to "read" people and who their emotions, as is seen in Pearl’s ability to visualize an “A” on Dimmesdale even though he does not wear a physical one. Jesus can also be seen in Dimmesdale during his last days of life. Dimmesdale’s death is caused by his sin and Jesus died for the sins of all people, both men dying without objection. Another Biblical character is seen in Chillingworth. Throughout the novel he is described as a man whose life is based on revenge and hatred. This “was a striking evidence of man’s faculty of transforming himself into the devil.” (155) The final part of characterization is in the similarities between the societies of the two times, Biblical and Puritan. Both the Jews/Romans and the Puritans accused and persecuted those who the saw as unholy, while in fact they were the least holy of all. Their pride in being religiously strict caused them to lash out at those who in hindsight are the holy ones. With this basic ...

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...r being Biblical stories in disguise. The first is the connection between Hester and the Virgin Mary. The paradox is found in Hester’s representation of Mary. Hester was definitely not a virgin; however, her counterpart, Mary, and her life are most miraculous because she was a virgin. Another paradox is seen through the similarities of Pearl in Jesus. Pearl comes from sin, but goes on to live a beautiful life. Jesus on the other hand was born without sin, only to be condemned by and subsequently killed by the establishment. Another paradox is in that the Puritans prided themselves on being good Christians and condemned those who they found unholy. Ironically it is they who are the bad people and the people they have condemned whom are the best Christian, (barring Hester and that whole adultery thing.)

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s use of rhetorical devices allows for a vivid connection to be drawn between his novel and the Bible. The use of symbolism, paradox, allusions, and characterization create a story that has in it the underlying of Bible stories. The use of the most widely read book as a pillar for his novel strengthens Hawthorne’s criticism and commentary on the Puritan society.