How does Hester's positive attitude towards her punishment
contrast with Dimmesdale's negative one?
In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel "The Scarlet Letter," Hester Prynne and Arthur
Dimmesdale are two characters who have committed the sin of adultery.
However, Hester's positive attitude towards her punishment contrasts sharply
with Dimmesdale's negative one. Hester accepts her penalty of wearing the
scarlet letter "A" on her chest with grace and dignity, whereas Dimmesdale
cannot bear the guilt of his sin and deteriorates mentally and physically.
Hester's positive attitude towards her punishment stems from her acceptance
of sin as part of human nature. She does not try to deny her wrongdoing, and
instead chooses to embrace it as an opportunity to learn and grow as a
person. This is evident when she says, "I have greatly wronged thee… But,
Nathaniel, canst thou forgive me?" (Hawthorne 44). Hester recognizes that
she has sinned, but she also seeks forgiveness and redemption.
In contrast, Dimmesdale's inability to come to terms with his sin leads to his
downfall. He is consumed by guilt and shame, which manifests itself physically
in the form of a mysterious illness. His negative attitude towards his
punishment contrasts with Hester's and serves as a warning that refusing to
face one's transgressions only leads to further suffering.
In conclusion, Hester's positive attitude towards her punishment and
Dimmesdale's negative attitude serve as a powerful juxtaposition in "The
Scarlet Letter." Hawthorne uses this contrast to highlight the importance of
accepting one's mistakes and seeking redemption.
Reference:
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. Penguin Classics, 2003.