Question

Discuss sin and isolation in The Scarlet Letter as a theme.

Accepted Answer

Sin and isolation are arguably the two most prevalent themes in The Scarlet Letter. While Hester and Dimmesdale committed the sin of adultery, Hester's husband committed the sin of abandoning his wife. This ultimately leads to all three characters feeling betrayed and isolated.

Answer

Sin and isolation are both prevalent themes in this great novel. As a result of her sin of adultery, Hester Prynne is isolated and made to stand out by being branded with the letter A. Reverend Dimmesdale, the man who she had the affair with, ultimately pays for his sin with his life.
Hester is found guilty of adultery after giving birth more than a year after her husband has mysteriously disappeared. The theme of sin is driven home by her being forced to stand on a scaffold and endure hours of interrogation. She faces this scenario alone, and her refusal to identify the man with whom she had the affair adds to her isolation.
Despite the fact that Hester's husband makes a surprise reappearance at this moment, he makes her promise not to reveal his identity to anyone. This makes Hester the keeper of yet another big secret, which adds yet further to her isolation.
Later, Hester and Dimmesdale had planned to leave town together, but the themes of sin and isolation work together to conspire against Hester's happiness. Dimmesdale becomes convinced that leaving with Hester would be yet another sin and chooses rather to risk making his identity as Pearl's father known.
Loneliness and the result of her sin follow Hester for the rest of her life, and after some time away from Boston in the aftermath of Chillingworth and Dimmesdale's death, she returns to live out the rest of her days still brandished with that scarlet letter.

The Scarlet Letter

Discuss sin and isolation in The Scarlet Letter as a theme.

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