Dramatization of Isolation in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s `the Scarlet Letter’ Essay

Nathaniel Hawthorne in The reddened Letter emphasizes the theme of closing take out finishedout the whole novel. Using a variety of literary techniques and descriptions of emotions and nature, Hawthorne is able to richly depict the inner tactilitys of hurt suffered by the central fictional characters as a turn out of severe l adeptliness and seclusion. The torturous of isolation, argon humpd by the key figures, Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth, for distributively star due to different situations and to confused degrees. These characters sustain a pilgrimage, which separates them from society. such(prenominal) a journey whollyows them to explore their needs and desires in an experiential quest that ultimately completelyows them to recognize themselves as individuals. This journey follows a pattern of fall, renunciation, and redemption.The cherry-red Letter is primarily c one timerned with the thoughts and feelings of Hester Prynne. Hester, being an out moult of society, experiences the to the highest degree evident and unmixed take a hop of isolation. As a symbolic representation of sin, Hester is viewed by the strict Puritanical t featuresfolks throngsfolk as an outsider, a presence of evil, and, ultimately, 1 who is detested by divinity fudge. The towns harsh condemnation of Hester is revealed through and through a local wo piece of musics comment, at the very least, they should mystify put the cross out of hot iron on Hester Prynnes forehead (Hawthorne, 36). Although this dire attitude towards Hester does lastly improve, due to her many benevolent deeds for the poor, she never truly does escape the feelings of lonesomeness and segregation present in her smell. This position is further stressed by Hawthornes exclusion of all conversationand dialogues, a usage of context and form, in chapter flipper to demonstrate that Hester has absolutely no dialogue with the arena beyond her occasional trips to town to receive and de exitr embroidery orders, expound as dark and inscrutable. The forest, in contrast, provides Hester with a secluded habitat in which she may seek truth and escape the glares of humanity, though all the spot downhearted and alone. marooned from the backwardnesss imposed by living in such a stern kitchen-gardening through the publics reject and her own rejection of the local beliefs, Hawthornes booster station experiences liberation from the shackles of the communitys ascetic approach to life. Hester Prynne contemplates youthful ideas, which would never name occurred to her were she not removed from the general reality by her fall. Hawthorne describes this emancipation writing,Alone, and hopeless of retrieving her position, take down had she not scorned to consider it desirable, she cast away the fragments of a broken chain. The worlds legality was no law for her perspicacity. In her lonesome cottage, by the shore, thoughts visited her, such as dared to enter no an new(prenominal)(prenominal) dwelling in juvenile England. (Hawthorne, 151)This passage describes the effect of isolation on Hester. The fragments of a broken chain she casts pip symbolize the confinement of newborn Englands puritanical ideology. The line the worlds law was no law for her mind illustrates her abandonment of this faiths doctrines, which allows her experience thoughts that dare to enter no other dwelling in New England. The retirement of Hesters expulsion from society provides her with a freedom of intellect that cannot be strand in culture governed by squiffy belief system. However, it proves difficult to accept thoughts that take exception the convictions to which the scarlet letters carrier wave has been subject so long. The effect of Hesters years spent disjunct from the square up of publics beliefs and laws are perishFor years past she appearanceed from this estranged acme of view at human institutions, and some(prenominal) priests o r legislators beat established criticizing all with hardly more than reverence than the Indian would feel forthe clerical band, the judicial robe, the shell , the gallows , the fireside, or the church. The tendency of her fate and fortunes had been to imbed her free. The scarlet letter was her passport into regions where other woman dared not tread. (Hawthorne, 183).She now freely condemns practices of the pillars of New England communities, challenging the church while renouncing the reverends decree of Gods leave behind and magistrates laws. Hester freely chastises the entities which create structure and constraint in society. Like the native peoples, who range no ties to Christian faith or laws, she does all this without remorse or disbelieve regarding her souls future.A more private and hidden feeling of isolation and alienation is conveyed throughArthur Dimmesdale. Unlike Hester, who has been propel into a life of dejection by society, Dimmesdale inflicts this desolati on upon himself. Dimmesdale, unable and unwilling to publically reveal his sin, continues to be haunted by his own guilt, and consequently feels inner isolation towards humankind. Nonetheless, the entire town embraces Dimmesdale as a messenger of God and a miracle of godliness who should be greatly admired and respected. Paradoxically, Dimmesdale views himself as an evil fiend and punished himself with periodical abuse and starvation. In the end, when Dimmesdale finally does complete his guilt and shame, he succumbs to sickness and dies, feeling for the very first time, true pleasure and peace.As the impious revenge-seeking villain of the novel, Roger Chillingworth undergoes the most concealed and obscure form of isolation. non simply is he physically separated from his companion, Hester, and the townspeople, who suspect evil intervention, but is as well mentally detached from himself. To exhibit this transformation, Hawthorne expresses the character of Roger Chillingworth p rimarily through private contemplation Chillingworth exposes his true self only through his thoughts. With exception to Hester, Chillingworth speaks to no other mortal about his plans or motives. Following his consecrate to uncover Hesters secret lover,Chillingworth slowly begins to lose his true identity to the devil. Such pure wickedness causes Chillingworth to eventually involve from his prior life and isolate himself to live in a world, which through his eyes, only contains bitterness and hate.Although Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth all experience isolation, each endures a different aspect and to various extents. Hester is alienated from her fellow man and is tout ensemble cut off from a life of customariness and normality. On the other hand, Dimmesdale, essentially the towns public figure, feels alone in the fact that he is the sole person, overly Hester, to really understand the true man within himself. This agonizing wound is so strong that it eventually takes his life. However, Chillingworth is the character that goes through the most harsh and excruciating form of torture. To surrender to evil and watch oneself bit by bit wither away due to ones own choice is one of the most unbearable pains cognise to man.The agony of isolation that Hester and Dimmesdale go through, which immediately extends to Chillingworths distress, is caused by the firm belief, by the town, that they are responsible for the extermination of all existing sin on earthy, though they themselves sin. In addition, Hawthorne explains that society, in judging people according to what they themselves believe to be proper(ip) and ethical is, appallingly to claim to be flawless and equal to the superiority of God himself. All these key figures, Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth, undergo a spiritual journey in which a fall isolates them from society. This separation provides a new perspective on the group they were once a part of that causes the fallen to part with the beliefs and practices of their contemporaries. As they distance themselves from the world, these characters cast off the shackles created by the influence of others peoples thoughts and ideologies. Release from these constraints allows them to look critically at the society they have left behind and form their own opinions of where life should lead, rather than accepting the roles that others have placed upon them.Works CitedHawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York, NY Bantam Books, 1986.Print. Isolation in the Scarlet Letter StudyMode.com. Web.06 Aug 2013. . Isolation Through symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter. 123HelpMe.com. Web. 04 Aug 2013SparkNotes Editors. SparkNote on The Scarlet Letter. SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2003. Web. 1 Aug. 2013.