On a Field, Sable, the Letter A Gules - Draft 2

Paaras Chand

Professor Knapp

English 1B

11 May 2011

On a Field, Sable, the Letter A Gules

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s writing incorporates a style many of his contemporaries tried to replicate in a time based upon Puritan values, changing ideals, and deeper meanings within natural life (Whipple 1).  The Scarlet Letter is an adventure valued as much as the nineteenth century itself -- it became the first step into true American literature; the breaking point of Puritan philosophies and ways of life; and the beginning of the Transcendental, Gothic, Anti-Transcendental, and Romantic periods (Whipple 1). Anne W. Abbott’s "Review of 'The Scarlet Letter, a Romance” applauds Hawthorne’s "artistic prowess" and Pearl’s character, but questions the reality of Roger Chillingworth, Hester, and Arthur Dimmesdale.

In a time ruled by Puritan ideals and the Church, one small act can travel a journey of its own. Arthur Dimmesdale, the marked culprit and minister of Salem, buried his sin within himself to protect his position, but in the end discovered his sin was the key to the future. Abbott feels that Dimmesdale is "better kept" than the other characters in the story, but still far from realistic (Abbott 2). She mocks how Dimmesdale “exhales at the first gleam of hope" and does not deal with the further consequences of sin; he goes straight to death (Abbott 2). Dimmesdale was far from the perfect father or perfect husband, but he did exactly what any man of the time would have done; he ran away “and thus, while standing on the scaffold, in this vain show of his expiation, Mr. Dimmesdale was overcome with a great horror of mind, as if the universe were gazing at a scarlet token on his naked breast, right over his heart” (Whipple 3). Even when he had the chance to come out with his sin, he left his daughter and Hester to suffer.  An affair was greatly looked down upon at the time and any news of such an event would kill the reputation of both parties. He was not the hero who went against the grain, but rather went with it.  Naturally a man of this caliber would not have taken his path to redemption; the sin was bad enough. He did however show signs of understanding for his sin: "No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the true . . . Be true! Be true! Be true! Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred!" (Hawthorne 93 & 103). If Hawthorne had not killed Dimmesdale through suicide, it would have brought more questions of validity to the reader’s mind; the story would sound too much like a "happily ever after” (Abbott 3).

As for Roger Chillingworth, he seems to have very little in common with anyone else.  He is the exact opposite of every other good character in the story; he is the one dimensional villain (Abbott 2).  Chillingworth is introduced as the creep; his back is arched, his eyes are dark, and his voice is cutting; “When he found the eyes of Hester Prynne fastened on his own, and saw that she appeared to recognize him, he slowly and calmly raised his finger, made a gesture with it in the air, and laid it on his lips” (Hawthorne 16). Redemption is The Scarlet Letter ’s biggest point, yet Hawthorne only paved redemption for Hester; Dimmesdale’s redemption is somewhat debatable and Chillingworth makes no attempt whatsoever. He dies with as much reality as he was born.  Chillingworth’s destiny seems to simply carry out the devil’s work; “when there was no more Devil's work on earth for him to do, it only remained for the unhumanised mortal to betake himself whither his master would find him tasks enough, and pay him his wages duly” (Hawthorne 120).  In some aspects Chillingworth can be seen as a symbol for the devil, thus his death brings the death of the devil, but with such heavy symbolism within Hawthorne’s writing it does not place a level field amongst those who have sinned. In fact Dimmesdale just points a bigger finger at Chillingworth; "It were far worse than death" (Hawthorne 87).

Hester Prynne — marked with sin and challenge — journeys through The Scarlet Letter through humility, hurt, and happiness. Following her intense trial, Hester looks to restart her life and work toward raising Pearl. Abbott cites that "Hester at first strongly excites our pity, for she suffers like an immortal being," but as she works more toward redemption "her humility catches a new tint, and we find it pride (Abbott 3).  Through much persecution, alienation, and discrimination Hester Prynne was forced to grow as a person, despite the fact that her neighbors continued to go on as they were. As early in her persecution as when she is forced to stand on the scaffold, Hester's growth can be detected. The book describes this demonstration of growth: "...the mother of this child stood fully revealed before the crowd, it seemed to be her first impulse to clasp the infant closely to her bosom; not so much by an impulse of motherly affection, as that she might thereby conceal a certain token" (Hawthorne 6). With redemption comes pride, but it is necessary to continue a stronger lifestyle; depression for the sin would keep Hester isolated and torn apart by the townspeople. There may be too much pride within Hester’s bosom and scarlet A but it would not be a legend if kept secret and hidden.

No Pearl can be worth more to a story than Hester’s Pearl, but no pearl had ever been as expensive as this one either. Pear was born into a Puritan prison in more ways than one and remains a symbol throughout the story. Abbott goes on to say that Pearl is the "gem of the purest water. .. a perfect truth to childish and human nature." From her introduction as an infant on her mother’s scaffold of shame to the stormy peak of the story, Pearl is an empathetic and intelligent child. Throughout the story she absorbs the hidden emotions of her mother and magnifies them for all to see. She is at times a vehicle for Hawthorne to express the inconsistent and translucent qualities of Hester’s unlawful bond, and at others a forceful reminder of her mother’s sin. Pearl Prynne is her mother’s most precious possession and her only reason to live, but also serves as a priceless treasure purchased with her life. The product of Hester’s sin and agony, Pearl, was a painfully constant reminder of her mother’s violation of the Seventh Commandment: "Thou shalt not commit adultery". Hester herself felt that Pearl was given to her not only as a blessing but a punishment worse than death or ignominy. She is tormented by her daughter’s childish teasing and endless questioning about the scarlet letter and it’s relation to sinister. After Pearl has created a letter "A" on her own breast out of seaweed, she asks her mother: "But in good earnest, now, mother dear, what does this scarlet letter mean? — and why dost thou wear it on thy bosom?" (Hawthone 100). In saying this Pearl implies she knows so much, but her constant nagging also brings Hester to doing the right thing; had it not been for her then Hester would have ran away from her problems. She was the key to Hester’s final redemption "But, in very truth, she is right as regards this hateful token. I must bear its torture yet a little longer" (Hawthorne 111).

The characters within The Scarlet Letter are not the ones from the perfect happy endings, but they attempt to represent more realistic characters.  Hawthorne came from a world where he realized that not everything was as pure as he had believed, including himself.  He makes an attempt to challenge the reader’s perception of society and how we view characters.  Adultry is still looked down upon even in today’s society.  Were we to be alive during the 16^th century would we react in the same way as the Puritans?  Nathaniel Hawthorne does, however, make an attempt to redeem every character.  Though some character redemptions are debatable, they do achieve a higher good.  Roger Chillingworth may die, but he comes to accept Pearl as a daughter.  Pearl may not have committed any sin directly, but she, too, had to tackle prejudice and live the same life as her mother.  In the end Pearl decided to leave the Puritan society.  But the legend of her mother’s journey stays strong “On A Field, Sable, The Letter A Gules” (Hawthorne 150).

Works Cited

Abbott, Anne W. "Literary Style Points From The Scarlet Letter." Literature Resource Center. Gale, 25 Nov. 2009. Web. 20 Apr. 2011.

Hawthorne, Nathaniel, and Leland S. Person. The Scarlet Letter and Other Writings: Authoritative Texts, Contexts, Criticism. New York: W.W. Norton &, 2005. Print.

Whipple, Elaine P. "Hawthorne Use of Literary Devices." Literature Resource Center. Gale, 21 Oct. 2010. Web. 22 Apr. 2011.