Argument made in "The Scarlet Letter"?

Question

In what way is this book an argument? and what is the book arguing for, or against?

Answer 1

I think the best moral that can be extracted from the text has to do with the nature of sin and guilt.

Even though Hester and Arthur suffer rather badly from the results of their indescretion, Hawthorne doesn't seem to be saying that their suffering was inappropriate or that the Puritans were intrinsically wrong for their severe behaviour.

The interesting thing is that it is not in spite of this treatment, but BECAUSE of it that they both develop as human beings. Hester, ostracized by society, gets to see it objectively as an outsider, and because of how it affects her and moves her to charity she gains respect in spite of her misdeeds. Arthur, wracked with guilt, gains an all-too-keen understanding of guilt itself, which also draws him close to the people of his congregation and makes him far more effective as his work.

On the other hand we have Roger. He has done nothing wrong, but his obsession over the wrong done to him make him bitter and twisted.

Hawthorne seems to argue, then, that although sins may still be wrong, to worry about them overmuch is JUST as wrong. If, instead, you are focused on making things good instead of obtaining some kind of fleeting justice, then even the worst of acts may turn out to be full of enlightenment.

Answer 2

It definitely has to do with the nature of sin, but in a social context, as it affects the group.
To expand on what Doctor Y said, I think Hawthorne is not only saying that to worry about sin could be as wrong (the case of Roger). Instead, he's saying that you cannot judge men and women as "sinners and saints", particularly within the framework of community life.
Because those who visibly appear as sinners (Hester) may, through good deeds, selflessness and a pure heart, become "the saints" of society, while those who appear as good and even the victims of sinners (Roger) could, through hatred and selfishness, become evil at heart,and therefore, sinners.
So it also has to do with appearances, that people and things are not what they appear to be.

Answer 3

It's against the strict dogmas of a Puritanical society. So it's an argument in that it forms a distinct opinion on a thing and endeavors to convince the readers of that opinion. You could say that it's for freethinking and individual strength. Um... it criticizes the Puritans for interpreting symbols to mean whatever they want them to mean. It examines the effects of unconfessed sin... and that's all I can remember. Lol, try sparknotes.

Answer 4

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

CONFLICT = Morality?

Protagonists

The protagonists of the novel are Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale, both bearers of a Scarlet Letter of Adultery, one public and one private. Hester Prynne, the bearer of the scarlet letter in public, is the central character of the book. However, the suspense of the story revolves around Dimmesdale and his private mark of adultery.

Antagonist

The antagonist is the effort to hide the identify of the male adulterer, who is Pearl's father. Both Hester and Dimmesdale fight to keep the identity a secret, but for very different reasons. Hester wants to protect the identity of Dimmesdale as Pearl's father in order to protect the minister from the public shame of sin; hers is a totally selfless act of kindness, reflecting her inner character and strength.

http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/monkeynotes/pmScarletLetter05.asp


Study Guides

These links will give you a summary of the book, character analysis, plot and much more, so that you will be able to answer literary questions.

http://www.freebooknotes.com/book.php3?id=366

http://www.antistudy.com/search.php?title=The+Scarlet+Letter+

http://www.schoolbytes.com/summary.php?id=433

SYMBOLISM / MOTIFS / IMAGERY / SYMBOLS

The Scarlet Letter abounds with symbolism, which Hawthorne uses to unify the novel and add a deeper level of meaning to the story.

http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/monkeynotes/pmScarletLetter49.asp