The Scarlet Letter Essay

Throughout literary history, many novels have come about that has at least one

character who cannot achieve the goals he/she dreams of; there is always something

keeping the character from achieving that goal. In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet

Letter, the theme can be clearly seen: many of the tragic figures of literature have the

capacity for greatness although a trick of fate or human weakness prevents the achieving

of this greatness. In Hawthorne's novel, three characters can be seen as tragic figures:

Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth.

In everyday life people possess talents that cannot be broadened because of the

acts in which they have committed. Most all people regret several undesirable situations

in their life, and many of these people receive a punishment for their wrongdoing. Hester

Prynne, for instance, struggled through both scenarios. In Hawthorne's work of literature,

she is a very artistic and talented seamstress. Throughout the novel, descriptions of her

needlework help one understand the ability that she has been blessed with. "She possessed

an art that sufficed even in a land that afforded comparatively little scope for its exercise,

to supply food for her thriving infant and herself" (75) She was not able to follow through

with future wellbeing with her talent. Hester is found to be a tragic figure in the novel for

her sinful deed in which she is punished for. "On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth,

surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and flourishes of gold-thread, appeared the letter

A" (50). This letter becomes an emblem of Hester's sin which remains constant to her and

those around her. "It had the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with

humanity, and enclosing her in a sphere by herself" (51) Because of Hester's love for

another man other than her husband, her being married was the ultimate barrier that

caused her punishment that would last a lifetime and beyond.

Another character who is considered a tragic figure is Arthur Dimmesdale. He is

not able to meet his goal as a minister (to meet the needs of society as a respectable

role-model). As a minister, Dimmesdale is given certain expectations by society. "...it

may be that they are kept silent by the very constitution of their nature. Or, can we not

suppose it? Guilty as they may be, retaining, nevertheless, a zeal for God's glory and

man's welfare, they shrink from displaying themselves black and filthy in the view of man;

because, thenceforward, no good can be achieved by them; no evil of the past be

redeemed by better service. So, to their own unutterable torment, they go about among

their fellow creatures, looking pure as new-fallen snow which their hearts are all speckled

and spotted with iniquity of which they cannot rid themselves" (121-122). Dimmesdale

falls in love and commits the act of making love to Hester which is a tragic flaw to society

due to the fact that she is a married woman. Dimmesdale is ranked as a coward by society

because he need greater expectations as a minister.

Yet another character in Hawthorne's novel who is unable to reach a goal as a

tragic figure is Roger Chillingworth. Being Hester's husband, Chillingworth most likely

did not expect all the occurrences that had already taken place by the time he reached the

new land. He presumed that he would come back and resume his companionship with his

wife. After all, his reason for marrying Hester was to find what he was lacking, love.

However, Hester admits to the fact of never loving Chillingworth even before she met

Dimmesdale. "Thou knowest that I was frank with thee, I felt no love, nor feigned any"

(69). In return, Chillingworth expresses his inner feelings.. "My heart was a habitation

large enough for many of my guests, but lonely and chill, and without a household fire. I

longed to kindle one. And so, Hester, I drew thee into my heart, into my innermost

chamber, and sought to warm thee by the warmth which thy presence made there!" (69).

His desire for such a "warmth" was not fulfilled by Hester. His skill as a physician was

wasted because he devoted his life to making Dimmesdale's life a living hell, and after his

devilish task was complete, he dies without accomplishing so many other great thing in his

life. And thus Chillingworth is another example of a tragic figure in Hawthorne's work.

These three figures: Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth

were tragic figures mentioned in The Scarlet Letter. Capable of so much, yet unable to

use the talents given to them... The trick of fate and human weakness kept these

characters from achieving great success in their lives, and thus they are known as tragic

figure in the history of literature.