The Scarlet Letter: Theme

Part I of Essay
The Scarlet Letter is a fine example of a story written upon the theme of sin and redemption. Most of the sins are committed before the story begins. After seven long years of punishment, both by society and by themselves, the sinners gain redemption. As the story begins, ....

Part II of Essay
.... Dimmesdale was Hester’s partner in sin although the public knows not of it and thinks him to be almost a saint. He has mental anguish for the rest of his life and punishes himself by not eating properly, and by beating himself with a whip. Roger Chillingworth, his physician and Hester’s husband constantly reminds him of his sin. Near the end of the book, Dimmesdale finally tells the people of his sin and is redeemed just before he dies. Roger Chillingworth was Hester’s husband in the Old World. He sent her to the colonies to make a hom ....