The Scarlet Letter Sin

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Recommended: The themes of guilt,punishment and crime in scarlet letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

The outcome of a sin
Everyone has committed some type of sin, rather it be big or small. Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of The Scarlet Letter, has portrayed many different types of sins throughout his novel that also showed the outcome of various reactions and punishments. Others may argue that they have never sinned, yet ignore the fact that at one time in their life have not felt completely honest with themselves. The role of punishment on a sin can be done socially, spiritually, and individually, the impact of it is based on the soul inside of one individual.
When one sins, surroundings become a punishment source and learn from the mistakes. For Hester Prynne, “The scarlet letter, was her passport into regions where other women dared not tread …show more content…

“Even thus much of truth would save me! but now, it is all falsehood!- all emptiness!- all death!”(17.18) At this point Dimmesdale feels as if he should not be treated as an angel and more as the criminal that he is. Dimmesdale was guilty that he was not able to share his portion of the sun with society. “May God forgive thee! Thou, too, hast deeply sinned”. Chillingworth committed a sin that he can not forgive himself for and feels that God will now punish him for his actions. If you hide a sin for too long you will only commit more damage to yourself. The internal punishment of a sin can be more deadly than any other form.

The thought of God's punishment on a sin is a strong influence on behavior. “Let God punish! Thou shalt forgive!” (17.18) Dimmesdale feels as if God should punish him and not human should belittle him. God has the power to decide on the extremity of the crime. “God gave her into my keeping! I will not give her up!” (8.24) Hester believes that she received Pearl, her “devil child” as a sort of punishment from God. God will punish you in one form or another and it is up to you to accept it or not.
The role of punishment can be done socially, spiritually, and individually the impact of it is based on hbu soul of the individual. Rather it be society,, God, or yourself, there will always be a sort of punishment for your sins. It is up to the individual mind to determine if you would confess to your sins and be punished publically, internally, or let it take in the hands of

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