The Scarlet Letter: Themes

I. Theme of Sin and Guilt

The novel’s protagonist, Hester Prynne, is publicly shamed for committing adultery, a sin according to the Puritan society she lives in.
The Scarlet Letter ‘A’, which she is made to wear as punishment, is a constant reminder of her sin.
Hester’s lover, Arthur Dimmesdale, also experiences intense guilt for his involvement in the sin - although his sin is not public, it causes him a great deal of mental and physical anguish.
The theme showcases the destructive consequences of unacknowledged sin.

II. Theme of Identity and Society

Hester Prynne’s identity in the story is defined by the Puritan society as a woman of sin.
The symbol of the scarlet letter ‘A’ influences how others perceive her.
As the story progresses, Hester’s benevolent deeds gradually change the society’s perception of her, indicating the fluidity of societal identity.

III. Theme of Revenge and Forgiveness

Roger Chillingworth, Hester’s husband, is driven by revenge throughout the novel.
His obsession with punishing the man who shamed him causes his character to mutate into a devilish figure.
On the other hand, Dimmesdale’s self-forgiveness at the end of the story highlights the importance of inner redemption.

IV. Theme of Hypocrisy and Honesty

The Puritan community in the novel, despite projecting itself as morally superior, is found to be extremely judgmental and unforgiving.
Dimmesdale is highly respected in the community despite being guilty of adultery, which questions the community’s integrity.
In the end, it is Hester, the openly shamefaced sinner, who is honest with herself and the community, illustrating that honest acceptance of one’s flaws contributes to personal growth and societal understanding.

V. Theme of Isolation versus Community

Hester’s punishment isolates her from the community, but it also provides her with a unique perspective on the society.
The novel examines how an individual can contribute to a society from which they are separated.
Hester’s daughter, Pearl, grows up outside the conventions of the Puritan society and thus embodies a fresh, untarnished perspective that questions the society’s moral compass.

VI. Theme of Supernatural and Natural Law

The scarlet letter, at various points in the novel, is seen to have supernatural powers, displaying the ambiguous line between the material and spiritual world in the Puritan setting.
The natural law, or individual’s natural rights, are seen to conflict with the laws of the Puritan society, as seen in Hester’s and Dimmesdale’s secret love affair.