The Theme Of Guilt In The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel...

Nathaniel Hawthorne is the author of The Scarlet Letter. Hawthorne is a anti-transcendentalist which means he writes a lot about Puritans in the 1600’s. John Hathorne ( Nathaniel H. great uncle ) is also an anti-transcendentalist . The book that John wrote that goes with The Scarlet Letter is The Ministers Black Veil. It as well as this novel talks about Secret sin and how the world is good and people are dark and mysterious. Nathaniels book The Scarlet Letter talks about Secret Sin , Revenge , and Guilt. In this novel, The Scarlet Letter , Hawthorne uses symbolism of the Scarlet letter , Dimmesdale , and Burrs to got to with the theme of Guilt. To begin, Hawthorne uses the Scarlet letter to contribute to the theme of Guilt. In†¦show more content†¦This goes with the theme because it shows her sin in plain sight and there’s no hiding it. Furthermore, the novel brings in Dimmesdale as another symbol to add to the theme of guilt. Dimmesdale is the primary example of guilt. His name stands for the dimming of his life and the dimming of truth as he procrastinates to tell that he is pearl’s father. Hawthorne explains,† Mr. Dimmesdale’s secret closet, lock and key , there was a bloody scourge† ( Hawthorne 132 ). This describes the setting of Dimmesdale’s torture chamber. He hurts himself to make up for the guilt he feels. This supports the theme because he himself is guilty. Hawthorne also says, â€Å" †¦ And thrust aside the vestment that, hitherto, had always had always covered it even from the professional eye† ( Hawthorne 126 ). This is when Chillingworth had discovered the letter â€Å" A† on Dimmesdale’s chest. This goes along with the theme because guilt was literally on his heart and the longer he waits to tell everyone his deep dark secret his life will continue to dim. Finally, Hawthorne uses burrs to symbolize guilt. The burrs are small prickly things that stick to you.In this part of the novel, Pearl and Hester were in the garden and pearl began to outline the Scarlet letter â€Å"A† with the burrs and then noticed a familiar face in a window. Hawthorne says ,† ...she threw one of theShow MoreRelatedThe Theme Of Guilt In The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne935 Words   |  4 PagesAs a very famous author, Nathaniel Hawthorne mostly wrote about the puritans in colonial America. Even though the puritan religion died soon after the Salem Witch Trials, Hawthorne is obsessed with their society and writes a lot about the 1600’s. The Scarlet Letter is also based around the puritan community in the 1600’s. While it is not known whether this novel is based on a true story or not it still captures the attention of many readers. The story contains a lot of symbolism that is hidden andRead MoreTheme Of Guilt In The Scarlet L etter820 Words   |  4 PagesNathaniel Hawthorne was a famous american author. Hawthorne’s most famous novel The Scarlet Letter was written in 1850. Throughout this novel, Hawthorne explores many different types of themes. In his novel, The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses symbolism of The Scarlet Letter, Pearl, and the Leech to contribute to the overall theme of guilt. To begin with, Hawthorne uses the scarlet letter â€Å"A† to contribute to the theme of Guilt. The townspeople no longer see a beautiful woman Hester PrynneRead MoreSin, Guilt, And The Consequences Of Silence902 Words   |  4 PagesSin, Guilt, and the Consequences of Silence Throughout the history of literature, both American and foreign, a common theme that authors incorporate into their work is the nature and consequences of sin and the weighty, lingering feeling of guilt. The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne is an example of this type of work. In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the symbol of the scarlet letter ‘A’ as a representation of her sin to show the novel’s theme that sin carries heavy consequencesRead MoreEssay Sin, Guilt, and the Mind of Nathaniel Hawthorne1490 Words   |  6 PagesSin, Guilt, and the Mind of Nathaniel Hawthorne      Ã‚   Nathaniel Hawthornes works are notable for their treatment of guilt and the complexities of moral choices. Moral and religious concerns, in short, are almost always present in Hawthornes work(Foster, 56). Given Hawthornes background, it is not a stretch of the imagination to say that his novels are critiques of Puritanism. Hawthorne lived in the deeply scarred New England area, separated from Puritanism by only one generation. His grandfatherRead MoreTheme Of Guilt In The Scarlet Letter1101 Words   |  5 PagesNathaniel Hawthorne was an American novelist. But is also the great nephew of judge John Hathorne who became obsessed with the 1600’s and Puritan Societies. This obsession makes Nathaniel writes about times in the 1600’s in Puritan Societies. In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne uses the Scaffold, the character Dimmesdale, and Burrs to contribute to the overall theme of guilt. To begin with, Hawthorne uses the Scaffold as a symbol of guilt. Hester who is the main character of the story hasRead MoreScarlet Letter Essay On Nature1175 Words   |  5 PagesSkylar Bowyer October 24, 2017 Mr. Bernstein Scarlet Letter Essay Albert Einstein, a famous theoretical physicist, once said, â€Å"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.† Nature reveals much more to the human eye than many people realize. By looking deep into nature, one can find the inner workings of the universe and the simplicity of life. The Puritans and other main characters in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter did exactly this. Within the novel, readers witnessRead MoreSins inThe Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Essay1517 Words   |  7 Pagesto the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred† (Hawthorne). As this sentence is read in the The Scarlet Letter, the reader will realize that the main theme of the book is the sentence above. Throughout the book, secret sin damages the lives, soul, and the integrity of the main characters. However, it could have easily been evaded through open confession of their sins. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s purpos e in writing this novel is an attempt to influence the reader to openlyRead More Scarlet Critique Essay870 Words   |  4 Pages The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne was written in 1850. It was based on the Puritans of the 1600s, which were revived in Hawthornes era. Hawthorne descended from Puritan heritage and harbored a sense of guilt and hatred for their way of life. He used many themes and literary techniques in The Scarlet Letter including symbolism and irony. He emphasized the individuals role in the community and the role of women in society. Hawthorne used romanticism as opposed to the classical correctnessRead MoreWhat Is The Theme Of Adultery In The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne980 Words   |  4 PagesThe Scarlet Letter Essay Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The Scarlet Letter is about a Puritan woman named Hester Prynne. She lives in a 17th   century colonial Puritan town and is forced to wear a scarlet letter â€Å"A† on her dress for the rest of her life due to her sin of adultery. She gives birth to a little girl who she names Pearl in prison. Hester is known as the adulterer because her husband has not been seen with her because he went to learn medicine from the Indians. Hester becoming pregnant whichRead MoreEdgar Allan Poe And Nathaniel Hawthorne848 Words   |  4 PagesA common theme in the American Renaissance is breaking free from the intellectual traditions of the past. This is effectively expressed by Edgar Allan Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne despite differences in their writing style through the stories of The Raven and The Scarlet Letter respectively. Although their writing style is different, both authors indicate that breaking free from intellectual traditions of the past is present in their writing. Both Poe and Hawthorne want to know why things happen

Politics in Reconstruction Essay - 497 Words

Reconstruction was a period of time that took place directly after the Civil War when the Confederacy was ruled by the Union government and military. Reconstruction is sometimes seen as a good thing because it did help out the newly freed African Americans, and the recently deprived white Southerners. However, it also created tension and resentment between Southerners and Northerners, as well as between the whites and the blacks, and, when the Reconstruction was over and the whites were back in office, they saw blacks as the enemy, and they took out the anger and injustice they felt they had received on the blacks. It brought the nation together once more, but it made the racial gap wider than ever. The Radical Republicans wanted to†¦show more content†¦However, the brief period of militaristic rule sparked up some indignities from the people, and they tried to defy what the military was defending with such secret groups as the Ku Klux Klan. They rode around at night, th reatening and harming the freedmen and those who were helping them get equal rights. When the slaves were freed and given some rights, they were offered ’40 acres and a mule’ if they would vote to keep the Republicans in power. Then, they started being voted into office. They had just been freed, and they were not educated, but they were pulled up and shown off to the white southerners to tell them that things were going to be done differently. The Black Codes started restricting the freedmen from voting, but, when they were not able to do it flat out because of the 15th Amendment, the white males did it more subtly through literary tests and charging money. The freedmen would have to read and explain passages from the Constitution, or pay money to vote. The Jim Crow Laws then separated the facilities, and that was what the Southerners wanted. It gave them a slight advantage over the blacks because they were able to worsen what the freedmen got and better what the y had, and in this way they could keep them from getting decent educations and jobs. However, in the case â€Å"Plessy vs. Ferguson†, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of separate but equal facilities. They could not make the blacks worse off then they were. They mightShow MoreRelatedPre and Post Reconstruction Period – Politics, Economic and Social Effects2107 Words   |  9 Pages History 2301-SA01 – United States History to 1877 Instructor: 18 July 2011 Pre and Post Reconstruction Period – Politics, Economic and Social Effects This research paper is intended to explain in general terms some of the political, economics and social effects America dealt with during the Pre and Post Reconstruction Period. During the last years of the Civil War, as Union forces moved closer to victory and millions of former slaves became free, Americans began to think aboutRead MoreWhat Makes A President A Good President?1173 Words   |  5 Pagesclassifying presidents: Politics of disjunction, politics of reconstruction, politics of articulation, and politics of pre-emption. Politics of disjunction entails that current political order has ran its course, and it cannot solve the problems that the country has. Skowronek realizes that during politics of disjunction, it is almost impossible to govern, leaving a lot of dissatisfaction from those supports of the presidents. Politics of reconstruction usually comes after the politics of disjunction. TheseRead MoreThe Civil War And Reconstruction977 Words   |  4 Pagescalled the Reconstruction period â€Å"America’s Second Revolution†, his characterization was correct. Reconstruction can be viewed as a revolution because the previous s ocial order, slavery, was replaced suddenly by a more favorable one, freedom for African-Americans. There was a long period of politicization for incorporating free African-Americans into white society. Reconstruction also revolutionized the preconceived notion that the states had autonomous power. The Civil War and Reconstruction were revolutionaryRead MoreThe Failure Of Reconstruction Of Texas989 Words   |  4 PagesThe Failure of Reconstruction in Texas There are many Texas myths that endured about carpetbaggers during the failed Reconstruction era. â€Å"Carpetbaggers was generally used to describe Northerners who moved to the south after the Civil War especially who joined state Republicans formed in 1867† pg. 212. They were rumored to be allegedly â€Å"corrupt and dishonest adventurous who’s property could fit in a carpet bag (a soft suitcase made of carpet) who seized political power†. In this essay, I will analyzeRead More‘the Slaves Went Free and Stood for a Brief Moment in the Sun’ Du Bois; How Valid Is This View?888 Words   |  4 Pagesthe sun’ Du Bois; How valid is this view? In 1865 reconstruction begun with the aim of securing racial equality between blacks and whites in the southern states. Du Bois believes that during this period blacks ‘stood for a brief moment in the sun’. There were significant improvements to black lies that took place during this period such as their freedom of movement, re-unification of family units and improvements in education. However reconstruction also failed to secure racial equality in many waysRead MoreReconstruction: Eric Foner1673 Words   |  7 PagesMr. Maynard APUSH Period 3 10 January 2010 Reconstruction: Eric Foner The Reconstruction time period, 1865 through 1877, was a complex time for America. The southern part of the nation was in need of governmental, economical, and social repair after losing the Civil War. Radical Republicans, Democrats, and newly freed African Americans all were influential in the age of Reconstruction. Historians have struggled to put into words exactly what Reconstruction incorporates and precisely what the motivesRead MoreU.s. Congressional Reconstruction Era844 Words   |  4 PagesThe Reconstruction Era In 1865, the city was devastated because of the crisis that left the civil war. Therefore, political, economic and social issues needed to be resolved to improve and reconstruct the Nation. It was the period in which the State and local governments in the South were restored, and the Southern states were unified to the rest of the States. This essay emphasizes the differences between congressional and presidential reconstruction. Also, it highlights the achievements and successRead MoreEthics As A Code Of Conduct880 Words   |  4 PagesEthics, in politics, can be used as a ‘code of conduct’ – a set of rules or norms for diplomatic behaviour. When considering ethics as a constraint on states and political institutions, it can be argued to be powerful and influential. However, the question of whether politics can be improved by ethics is debatable. The aim of this essay is to highlight evidence for and against the notion of whether ethics can constrain and improve politics through the use of realism and cosmopolitanism, their argumentsRead MoreRecostruction Era and African American Integration1333 Words   |  5 Pagesthen labeled. The leaders of the Reconstruction were tasked with piecing a nation back together while keeping the idea of justice in mind. The Reconstruction had a somewhat successful beginning but unfortunately its potential in integrating freedmen into Southern society was never fully realized. Subsequently, African Americans, specifically southern African Americans, truly lost the American Civil War. The Southern Restoration undid the work of the Reconstruction, eventually pushing African AmericansRead MoreReconstruction after the Civil War900 Words   |  4 PagesAfter Reading John Hope Franklin’s  Reconstruction after the Civil War  I have a completely new outlook on reconstruction. Some may say that this book, regardless of its historical contribution on Reconstruction, which it tries to demolish William Dunning’s myth of white supremacy. It is also has a very serious attempt to be fair and objective about a very controversial period when race, politics and ideology played a very different role in Society. It is precisely in Franklin’s ability

King Lear Sequences Which Display The Varying Per Essay Example For Students

King Lear: Sequences Which Display The Varying Per Essay ceptions of DifferentCharactersKing Lear: Sequences Which Display The Varying Perceptions of DifferentCharactersIn Shakespeares King Lear, there are several sequences which displaythe varying perceptions of different characters. The perceptions of thecharacters often differs because of what they are able to see and also in theirnature. Such factors obstruct their vision, not allowing them to see clearly. One sequence which may illustrate this is the banishing of Cordelia after sherefuses Lears test of love. Another sequence is the gouging of Gloucesterseyes by Cornwall. A third sequence which shows the indifference of opinionwithin the characters is Lears death at the end of the play. As the play opens up, Gloucester and Kent are speaking of Learsintention to divide his kingdom according to a test of love. It is this test oflove which causes Lear to banish his most beloved daughter Cordelia. When askedhow much she loves her father, Cordelia replies that she loves him according toher bond, no more nor less . This response angers Lear and causes him to banher for her refusal to comply. Lear is held to the belief that she does notlove him. He believes that the daughter which had loved him the most (and whohe loved the most) has broken his heart. He is suspicious and bans her becausehe thinks that she is the only daughter who doesnt love him. It is Learsrashness which prevents him from seeing that she is speaking the truth. It isthe same rashness which leads him to believe that Goneril and Regan are beingtruthful. Kent believes that Lear is wrong and openly tells him so. He says ina straightforward manner that he is both mad and an old man . Kent believesthat Lears de cision was a hideous rashness.He continues to speak, even asLear asks him to stop. He tells Lear to see better as he is banned. It is inKents nature to speak what he feels, without hiding things. He did notunderstand Lears condition and his rashness. Regan thought that because of thebanishing of both Cordelia and Kent, now Lear will have abrupt fits . Shethinks that her and Goneril are the next victims of Lear and must be careful. Goneril sees the banishing as poor judgment on Lears part . She says that ithas always been in his nature to be rash . She is not surprised by his actions. She, as Regan does, believes that they must be careful in their actions or theymight be affected by him too . Goneril decides that it would be a smart move todo something soon , before Lear can act against them or perhaps discover theirtrue nature. Both Goneril and Regan know that they had to lie in order toreceive a share of the kingdom. They decided to take initiative before theycould be affected. Both of them act out of greed in more power. If Lear bansCordelia, then it is simply a larger inheritance for both of them. The twodaughters do not find a problem in that. Albany does not understand what Learsreasoning is . He remains puzzled over why Lear would do such a thing and asksthe Gods for assistance . As Burgundy learns of Lears actions, he restates hisinterest in only what Lear had offered him . He still expects to receiveCordelia along with her dowry, but drops the idea of taking her as his bride assoon as Lear tells him that she no longer carries a dowry. France rescuesCordel ia from her misery after Burgundy refuses to marry her, but only afterspeaking to Lear. When he first hears of Cordelias banishing, he thinks thatit is strange that the one who he loved the most would do something so monstrousas to strip his benevolence . After speaking to Cordelia and listening to whatshe has to say, he realizes that she had spoken the truth and still loves Learthe most. In his noble sense, he sees Lears decision as rash (but does not sayanything) and takes Cordelia in. This characterizes France as one who can seethrough Lears rashness and understand the condition of both Cordelia and herfather. The Fool, like Kent, tells Lear in a very straightforward manner thathe is wrong. He at often times insults Lear, calling him a fool . Upon hearingof Cordelias banishing, he had much pined away, showing both his emotiontowards Cordelia and how he thinks that the King was wrong in his decision. Eaters Of The Dead EssaySeveral events in King Lear are seen differently by various characters. Their own intentions and beliefs cause them to make decisions which, if wrong,are corrected through the plays progression. The nature of the charactersalong with their personal desire cause them to be biased and sometimespredictable in their actions. Often times, it is the obstruction created byother characters which prevents them from seeing clearly. Eventually, in theclimactic plays end, all wrong is corrected, unfortunately at the cost ofseveral lives of many innocent people, making King Lear a true tragedy. English

March 24 1999 Essays - Jewish Theology, Existence Of God, God

March 24 1999 Oh God! Answers #1-7 1. a) Jerry Landers Jerry's role in the movie was to spread the word for God. God chose him and knew he could do a good job. His role was to get people to gain faith in God and tell everyone about God. b) Bobbie Landers Bobbie's role was to show conflict. Jerry was trying to do what God told him to do and Bobbie tried to make him think it wasn't true and he was crazy. She later believed Jerry and supported him on his journey. c) Rev. Williams Rev. Williams' role in the movie was to show how people get the wrong idea about God. He was preaching lies about God and taking people's money when he wasn't telling the truth. d) Mr. Summers Mr. Summer's role was also to show conflict. He told Jerry that if he kept preaching that he saw God, he would lose his job. His role is also to show that some people don't believe in what Jerry is telling them. 2. Bobbie's initial reaction to Jerry's message was she thought he was crazy. Her argument was that seeing is believing, not hearing. Bobbie eventually believed when God appeared in court and made the cards disappear and reappear. 3. The significance of the conversation between God and Jerry in the bathroom is to show that God isn't much different from us. He made us and he can resemble us. It also help Jerry understand that he wasn't totally crazy and it really was God he was talking to. It also gave him a better way to tell people that he met him and talked to him. 4. The significance of the "Dina Shore Show" was to show how people do not have faith, even if they have a religion. It was to show how hard it was to make people believe Jerry really saw God. Instead of listening and believing, they laughed at Jerry and made him feel foolish. It hindered Jerry's goal to spread the word because people all thought he was a joke. 5. a) "Religion is easy, I am talking about faith" This statement means that anyone can have a religion. A person can be raised as a catholic, but doesn't believe or have faith in God. A person can also be very religious but be unsure about God's existence. Faith means being confident and really believing. Religion is just your view of something. b) "You have the strength that comes from knowing." This statement means that Jerry has seen God, he KNOWS he exists, which gives him strength not to give up on the people who don't believe. No matter how many people don't believe him or think he's crazy, he knows he's not crazy and that there is a God, so he feels the need to prove it to others. c) "The heart is the temple wherein all truth resides" This statement means that your heart is where the truth is, and you can use it, or you can lie, but if you dig deep into your heart you will find truth in what you say. If you have faith and believe in God with all your heart, that is the truth for you. d) "If you find it hard to believe in me, maybe it will help you to know that I believe in you." This statement means that if someone believes in you, it gives you confidence to believe in him and confidence in what you believe. It means that God believes in Jerry. That means Jerry gains confidence in himself and his beliefs and knows God exists in his heart. e) "You talk, I'll listen" This statement means that God doesn't want to tell us what to do, he wants us to decide what to do on our own. He wants us to do stuff for ourselves, to gain confidence to stand up for what we believe in, and he will listen to what you have to say. 6. The court scene was the turning point of the movie because it went from people thinking Jerry was crazy, to them seeing God for themselves. The movie was about Jerry trying to get people to have faith in God. Once God appears for everyone to see, it gives them a chance to believe