Pathways of Sin

Nicole Larson

Period # 7

10/04/05

Scarlet Letter Essay

Pathways of Sin

Our lives are similar to an obstacle course in which we are given no direction. We will almost inevitably make mistakes along the way. Some missteps are small and easily corrected, while others are large and the damage seems almost insurmountable. We have two choices when we make these mistakes. We can change ourselves for the better, or give up and allow the error to change our direction. Hester Prynn represents the determination to correct and learn from her mistake. In contrast, characters such as Arthur Dimmesdale and Roger Chillingworth, give up and allow the sin to change them. The use of sin in the The Scarlet Letter allows the reader to see the changes and effects that one transgression can have on three very different characters.

Hester Prynn, the main protagonist in The Scarlet Letter, commits the sin of adultery. As punishment for this wrongdoing, she is forced to wear a scarlet ‘A’ on her chest. Nevertheless, Hester does not allow the ‘A’ to depict her life. In fact, she definitely commits to redefine the scarlet ‘A’ as a part of herself. Hester sets out to change what the sin has made her by helping others suffering in the community, “(the poor) were the objects of her bounty”. One can see that Hester, although guilty of a serious sin, decides to not permit that offense to transform her into a person controlled by one small misstep along the course of her life.

Roger Chillingworth, the sinister and jealous husband of Hester Prynn, commits the sin of vengeance in the novel. He allows himself to be changed, not only mentally, but physically as well. His physical appearance changes greatly over the years that he spends in Boston because of his devotion to obtaining revenge. “Roger Chillingworth’s aspect had undergone a remarkable change…At first his expression had been calm, meditative, scholar-like. Now, there was something ugly and evil in his face…” His demented appearance manifests his hatred toward Hester and her