Scarlet Letter Essay

THE SCARLET LETTER

Nathaniel Hawthorne uses setting, plot, and the characters to develop the theme of Sin, Isolation, and Reunion in his novel, The Scarlet Letter.   In this novel Hawthorne uses the scaffold along with other place to in the setting to develop this theme.   He develops the plot by making one character torment or act as the conscience of another to develop the climax and the resolution. The characters help develop this theme by tormenting other the characters and never letting them forget about the sin they committed which then drives them further into isolation. Hawthorne uses a mixture of setting, plot and characters develop this wonderfully written book.
Hawthorne uses the setting to develop the theme of sin, isolation and reunion.   One the main places in the setting that he uses this process is the scaffold.   The scaffold is used in the novel for a place to show sin in the beginning of the story when Hester is displayed on it.   Also during this scene it was used to isolate her from the rest of the community.   Then later in the story it is used again when Arthur stands up on the platform of the scaffold giving false penance, which drives him further into isolation.   Then at the end of the story it is used again to reunite Arthur with himself, the community and God before dies.   It is also used in this scene to reunite Pearl with herself making her normal.   He also used the cottage where Hester lived has a place of isolation for her.   The cottage was just out side the sphere of the community.   It was also on a sterile piece of land where nothing would grow.   The forest was also a major setting that instigated sin.   It was the place where the Blackman lived and if you signed his book you would wear its sign on your chest.   Not only was it a place of sin but it was also a place of isolation.   Isolation in the forest occurred when Hester met Arthur in forest to hopefully achieve some reunion but instead drove them selves further into isolation....