A Comparison of The Scarlet Letter and The Ministers...

Throughout his literary endeavors, Nathaniel Hawthorne utilizes symbolism to present a certain theme that pertains to human nature and life. In his works, The Scarlet Letter and The Ministers Black Veil, Hawthorne uses symbolism to present a common theme pertaining to religion; that though manifested sin will ostracize a person from society, un-confessed sin will destroy the soul. The central theme in The Scarlet Letter is that manifested sin will ostracize one from society and un-confessed sin will lead to the destruction of the inner spirit. Hawthorne uses the symbol of the scarlet letter to bring out this idea. In the novel, Hester is forced to wear the scarlet letter A (the symbol of her sin) because she committed adultery†¦show more content†¦He suffers total deterioration, both physical and mental due to his hiding of his adultery and not claiming Pearl as his daughter. He physically tortures himself and over a period of several years he becomes emaciated and weak. It is only when he announces to the public atop the same scaffold that Hester had to bear her shame seven years earlier, that he gains relief and frees himself from the sin that plagued him, which allows him to die peacefully. In the short story, The Ministers Black Veil, Nathaniel Hawthorne presents a similar theme to that of The Scarlet Letter through the usage of the black veil that the Reverend Mr. Hooper drapes across his face to hide his secret transgressions from the world. The veil the clergyman wears is voluntary punishment, in contrast to the scarlet letter that Hester was forced to wear, though its consequences are similar for Reverend Hooper, as he becomes an outcast of society as well. Though everyone knows Hesters sin, no one can even find the courage to ask Father Hooper why he wears his veil. When his wife, Elizabeth, finally does ask him, he gives her no clear answer and thus the veils meaning is ambiguous and the townspeople all have their different theories for it including sin, sorrow, and weak eyes; though most fingers pointed towards a secret sin. The ambiguity of the black veil is similar to the ambiguity of the scarlet letter. At first the letter stood for the sin of adulteryShow M oreRelatedThe Scarlet Letter, By Nathaniel Hawthorne1422 Words   |  6 Pages The eighteenth-century author, Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on July 4, 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts. He was most famous for his writings The Scarlet Letter, â€Å"Young Goodman Brown,† â€Å"The Minister’s Black Veil† and an abundant array of other books and short stories. The stories that are mentioned contain a copious amount of symbolism throughout the entirety of each book. All the stories that he ever wrote have an underlying meaning and the symbolism was hidden within in the names, characters, placesRead MorePoe Hawthorne949 Words   |  4 PagesComparison/ Contrast of Poe/ Hawthorne Poe and Hawthorne are the most significant American writers of 19th century. They have their own way of relating to their audiences that’s varied and similar at the same time. Poe’s writing involves the reader emotionally. Hawthorne on the other hand considers author’s imagination important and paints a picture based on it. These innovative thoughts and experimentations in language have forever changed what we appreciate in writing. Poe and HawthorneRead MoreA Matter of The Heart Essay1446 Words   |  6 Pagestry to conceal their sin in order to avoid the consequences that will result, while others are seen outwardly suffering the consequences of their actions. Those who try to conceal their sin find that the inward consequences continue to grow. The Scarlet Letter is an example of Hawthorne’s recognition of the repercussions of both hidden and revealed sin, each having lasting effects. Hawthorne presses at a seemly biblical view of sin and its conseq uences, but he is unable to provide a genuine absolution