Research Paper The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter

By Nathaniel Hawthorne

Love whether it be for a person, money or material things is the most influential emotion that shapes the lives of individuals. The lives of lovers in the twenty-first century are simplified in comparison to the lives of the Puritan’s in the sixteenth and seventeenth century.  As an example we can contemplate the love triangle that occurs in The Scarlet Letter, By Nathaniel Hawthorne.  The protagonist, Hester Prynne, was a married woman who had an affair in the absence of her husband. Unfortunately, she became pregnant and had a daughter who she names Pearl.  In the twenty-first century this would be a tragedy, but it would not be uncommon for a married woman to divorce and remarry to the father of her child without disrupting the dynamics of the community.  Contrarily, the Puritans were unaccepting about Hester’s infidelities, and had missed reading the book of John in the bible. How could they possibly pursicute infidelits the was they did and have read, "So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a STONE at her"(John 8:7), in their hears they all had to have something they questioned about themselves. Sociologically the relationship between Hester and the two men offers a unique focal point in the Puritan life style.

            The first of the three scenes that tell us the most about this love triangle is the at the beginning of the book scene.  Hester was been in prison with her child and had been brought out to be put on scaffolding for public persecution and to receive her sentence for adultery.  Her husband assumed the name Rodger Chillingsworth and upon returning to civilization is confronted with Hester on the scaffolding.  Rather than lend himself to the hysteria of the public he, “bent his eyes on Hester Paynne… a man  chiefly accustomed to looking inward, and to whom external matters are of little value… very soon…his face darkened with some powerful emotion”(45).   Followed by a signal to Hester to keep his identity a secret, he then took his time to assess the situation.  It seems that Rodger would not have looked Hester in the eyes when he saw her unless he felt some deep emotion for her.  “Powerful emotion”  be it negative or positive is also rooted deep in his heart.  Passion usually begins with a deep love for someone or something.

            As Rodger assessed the situation at hand he initiates a conversation with a nearby townsman. He shares that he had, “been long held in bonds among the heathenflok…will it please you to tell me of Hester Prynne[ in the townsmans response he shares] in some two years, or less that  …no tidings have come of… Master Prynne: and his young wife…being left to her own misguidance [Rodger replies]so learned a man as you speak of should have learned this too in his books ”(45).  Even though, the townspeople speak ill of Hester, Rodger refers to her with respect as Mistress Prynne. His discussion suggests to the reader that he may have employed some guilt about leaving his wife alone for the previous two years.

            When Rodger is told that Hester would not be killed for her infidelities, he responds, “A wise sentence!”(46). The excitement in his response denotes that he was relieved that her life would be spared.  If he was enraged about Hester tarnishing his reputation he would have been relieved if she were sentenced to death.

                Rodger apparently has compassion for Hester, but harbors jealousy for her lover. As he ponders her survival his emotions erupt, “It irks me, nevertheless, that the partner of her iniquity should not …stand on the scaffold…But he will be known!- He will be Known!-he will be known!” (46).  Without love there cannot be jealousy.  Only a man in love would so passionately insist on knowing the father of his wife’s illegitimate child.

            Pearl and Hester’s failed health during their term in prison merited the visit from the towns newly found physician, Rodger Chillingsworth.    In the privacy of the prison cell Rodger immediately focuses his attention on Pearl, creating a path to get closer to Hester.  His interaction with both of them is carring and almost endearing.  His emotions drifted in to his work and he tells Hester:

 “It was my folly and thy weakness…a man already in decay…having given my best years to feed the hungry dream of knowledge,-what had I to do with youth and beauty like thine own! How could I delude myself …that intellectual gifts might veil Physical deformity in a young girl’s fantasy!...I drew thee into my heart, and sought to warm thee . We have wronged each other” (53). 

            Once again, Rodger exhibits self-blame for Hester’s actions. In the Puritan’s community every citizen has a place; women in the homes caring for the children and men caring for them.  Rodger had failed to maintain his place in the community.

            The influence of the Puritan’s reinforce his desire to hold the few thread  that tie him to Hester and justify his love for her, even though it was in secret. Before leaving the prison Roger proclaims to Hester,  “ Thou and thine, belong to me.  My home is where thou art” (54).  He had not only announced to her that she was still his but also has laid claim to Pearl.   This important statement is foreshadowing to the final acts of his life. It explains why he would give his worldly possessions to Pearl.  Hester was unreceptive to his love and told him, “I felt no love” (53).  How could he pass on his poisons to a woman that did not want his love.  However, Pearl though not by blood was still a member of his family, and created an avenue for his need to care for Hester.