The Scarlet Letter: Story of sin, love and social disdain

The Scarlet Letter: Story of sin, love and social disdain

"The Scarlet Letter" - introduction

"The Scarlet Letter" is a famous novel written by American writer Nathanial Hawthorne. This novel was first published in 1850. It is based on the background of the old -time of America i.e. 17th century Puritan society. The main subject of the novel is - sin, shame, justice of society, and the struggle of soul.

This story is of a woman who has been punished by the society in the crime of adultery. She faces the strict rule made by women society, but does not give up. The author has shown through this story how an internal force of a person rests it in front of the rigor of society.

Main characters:

Hester Prynne: It is the main character of the story. She gets pregnant without her husband. It is forced to wear the letter "A" as punishment by society, which is a symbol of "adultery" (adultery).

Pearl: Hester has a daughter. She is an innocent and playful child. The society also looks at her with a different view.

Arthur Dimmesdale : He is a pastor and Pearl's real father. He hides his sin and suffers sorrow inside.

Roger Chillingworth : Hester's husband. He tortures Pastor Dimmesdale mentally to take revenge.

Summary of the story

The story begins with a woman named Hester Prynne. She is pregnant while her husband goes abroad. Puritan society considers her an adulteress. The court punishes her that she should always wear the "A" letter mark on her chest. This means "A" - adultery (adultery). It becomes a symbol of her shame and sin.

Hester gives birth to a baby girl in jail, which she named Pearl. Pearl is beautiful and fickle, but society also looks at her like Hester.

Hester does not name her sinful partner. Gradually, the father of the child is none other than the society, but the honor of the society is Arthur Dimmemsdale. He lives life by hiding sin. He breaks from inside. His health falls, the soul is disturbed. But he could not dare to tell the truth.

Meanwhile, Hester's real husband comes in the story, Roger Chillingworth. He comes to take revenge. He becomes a doctor of Dimmesdale in a pseudonym and mentally persecutes him.

Hester remains cut off from society. But through her behavior, service and embroidery, she gradually starts receiving respect for society. Her "A" mark now becomes a symbol of "able" (worthy) for some people.

At the end of the story, Dimmesdale is inspired to accept her truth. He accepts his sin in a public meeting, and dies on stage. The revenge of Chillingworth remains incomplete. After some time he also dies.

Hester and Pearl move away from the city. Hester returns after years. She again wears her "A", but now she is a symbol of pride and service.

Short Answer Type Questions and Answers

Q 1: Who is the author of the novel "The Scarlet Letter"?

Answer: the novel "The Scarlet Letter" is written by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Q 2: Who is the main female character of this novel?

Answer: Hester Prynne is the main character of this novel.

Q 3: Why does Hester have to wear the letter "A"?

Answer: She has to wear the letter "A" as a punishment in the crime of adultery.

Q 4: Who is Pearl?

Answer: Pearl is the daughter of Hester who is considered the result of the same sin.

Q 5: Who is Dimmesdale and what is his role?

Answer: Dimmesdel is a pastor and also the father of Pearl. He lives in self -aggrandizement throughout his life by hiding his sin.

Q 6: What is the role of Chillingworth in the novel?

Answer: Chillingworth is Hester's husband. He tortures Pastor Dimmesdel to take revenge.

Q 7: What is the symbol of the letter "A" in the novel?

Answer: Initially it is a symbol of "adultery", but later it becomes a symbol of "Able", that is, power and respect.

Q 8: What is the main theme of this novel?

Answer: The main topics of this novel are - sin, remorse, justice of society, and self -respect.

Q 9: How does the novel end?

Answer: Dimmesdale accepts his sin on stage and dies. Hester gets respect by serving society.

Q 10: What does the novel teach us?

Answer: This novel teaches that a person can get respect and new life even by facing his sins. The true power of society is in compassion and improvement.

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