The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter

This book just shows that true love, feelings are inferior to the rules of society. This whole book was basically written to show mystery and fear, and that sense of questioning, with the little girl as the symbol of innocence yet still evil. There is so much sympathy given to the lady with the scarlet letter because she was basically shunned from society, but she still helped people out, she was a good person. I guess overall this book just gives me frustration, how life isn’t always what it seems, and it can be so unfair, to have your loved one right there, but you can’t show that and you can’t let anyone else know. It’s also frustrating how the father of the child just decides to keep it a secret, to not even tell anyone until the end, and when he finally says it. He dies.

Hawthorne demonstrates the influence that public opinion has on an individual as various characters in the book allow it to consume their lives. Take for instance, Hester, who endures the suffering the community imposes for her sin while Dimmesdale imposes his own suffering because he cannot bear to reveal his sin to the community. Chillingworht hides behind a coat of deceit as he refuses to reveal his true identity due to what the public may think. Pearl's isolation from Puritan society and the mocking of the kids leads to a detachment and aggressive behavior on her part. This is all because the characters constantly allow public opinion to dig their claws into their lives and torment them. 

You can relate this to modern society by mentioning how at school kids care about what other kids wear, and who they hang out with as well as many other things. And these kids allow that to affect their performance and happiness at school. The opinions of others should not be allowed to consume anyone's lives. It should only be used for beneficial reasons. 

Hawthrone teaches us not to let the opinion of others influence our lives as he demonstrates the negative affects this causes...