What does the scarlet A symbolize?

The meaning of Hester’s “A” is an inevitable part of any discussion about The Scarlet Letter. While the “A” initially symbolizes “adultery,” later various people assign meanings such as “able” or “angel” to the letter, as the community’s views of Hester change.

What is the theme of scarlet?

However, what many people overlook is the fact that in time, we all have committed sins. In The Scarlet Letter, the idea of sin and punishment is the main theme of the novel and how Hester Prynne, the main character, has been punished for her sin of adultery.

What does The Scarlet Letter mean at the end of the book?

In the end, the scarlet letter still symbolized her old identity and past that will always be there, but won’t take over who she is. Throughout the novel, the symbolism of the scarlet letter changes with Hesters actions and events. In the beginning of the novel it symbolized adultery, which was the crime she committed.

What is sin in The Scarlet Letter?

Adultery, which was the sin surrounding two of the main characters, Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale, was the sin in which the novel was based on. Hester committed adultery with Dimmesdale, a Puritan pastor, and had a child (Pearl) as living proof of her sin.

How is Hester a hypocrite?

Therefore, Hester, in her mind, has not committed a sin. The fact that she accepts the court’s decision so meekly and wears the scarlet letter denoting her as an adulteress is the first way in which she is hypocritical.

What was Hester Prynne’s sin?

Hester Prynne is the main character of the story and she is the story’s protagonist. She is young, beautiful, and a proud woman. She wears a scarlet letter A on her gown as a symbol of the sin she has committed which is adultery.

Who is the most sinful character in The Scarlet Letter?

character Roger Chillingworth
In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, “The Scarlet Letter,” the character Roger Chillingworth is clearly the epitome of sin. In this regard, Chillingworth is more sinful than the other characters in the novel — notably Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale.

Who is guilty of the greatest sin in The Scarlet Letter?

In essence, there were three main sins committed in The Scarlet Letter, the sins of Hester, the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth. Roger Chillingworth committed the greatest sin because he let himself be ruled by hatred and the consuming desire for vengeance.