Honesty, Integrity, and Consequences in the Scarlett...

‘Honesty is the best policy’; ‘Always be yourself†, are common phrases many parents tell their children and as common as they may be, being honest and being true yourself contributes to individual happiness and contentness. ‘The Scarlet Letter’ by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a novel that dives deep into these key themes of honesty and integrity and the consequences of doing the opposite action. One of the main characters, Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale is a minister in 17th century Puritan New England who has deteriorating health because of his lies and guilt. Dimmesdale commits adultery with a beautiful woman in the town, Hester Prynne, whose husband, Roger Chillingworth, returns from Europe later on. Pearl, who is a product of Hester and†¦show more content†¦Dimmesdale kept his act of deceit up for 7 years and the town suspected nothing and admired him for his good ‘godly’ character. ‘The fasts and vigils of which he made a frequent practice, in order to keep the grossness of this earthly state from clogging and obscuring his spiritual lamp. Some declared, that if Mr. Dimmesdale were really going to die, it was cause enough that the world was not worthy to be any longer trodden on by his feet’(Hawthorne 113). Dimmesdale led the townspeople to believe that his fasts were for religious purposes and not him punishing himself. Ministers are supposed to set an example of how to live a holy life, Dimmesdale deceives people and lets them think his actions are for God when infact he is actually punishing himself for being a hypocrite. Not being honest has its serious lethal consequences internally and causes confusion in the heart of who a person really is under the lies. In the novel, Dimmesdale is not only deceiving others by hiding the truth but is also deceiving himself which leads to him having inner confusion of his true nature. Hester and Dimmesdale are in the forest going over their plans to run away when

The Consequence of Insanity Essay - 673 Words

Humans all experience insanity in some way, some humans know how to hide these feelings, however everyone has to break out one day. We can also be driven insane by the pet peeves we carry. The photograph Freaked out by Marc relates to the story â€Å"The Tell Tale Heart† by Edgar Allan Poe, by conveying the feeling of insanity. The insanity of the man in the photograph is relevant to the insanity of the narrator in the story. The photograph and the story mainly focus on the theme insanity, which comes from within a person. The physical appearance of the man in the photo express the emotion of the man in the story while the contrasting colors in the image are reflected to the narrator’s actions towards his irritation. The overall emotion†¦show more content†¦The darkness represents death, where the man’s grossness represents his nervousness and his actions. The old man’s eyes disturb the narrator in the story, causing the narrator to kill him. The dirtiness of the man in the picture is compared to the narrator’s nervousness in the story and the darkness surrounding the man is similar to the old man’s death. The color black in the image resembles death, a concept that is evident in the story because the narrator killed the old man because the agitation caused by the old man’s eyes. The contrasting colors and the narrator’s actions displays the nervous emotions in both of the works. The crazed facial expression of the man from the photograph is directly related to the narrator’s mood in the â€Å"The Tell-Tale Heart†. The man’s facial expression shows the freaking out of him but in reality it visualizes the craziness of the man. In the story the narrator is psychotic but is trying to convince the reader that he is not crazy. In the story the narrator describes, â€Å"If still you think me mad, you will so no longer when I describe the wide precautions I took for the concealment of the body†. The narrator’s action of convincing the reader to believe him shows the extent of his madness. The crazy face expression of man in the picture is the evidence of insanity. Both of the works are related through the irrational facial expression of the man in the picture and theShow MoreRelatedShould the â€Å"Insanity Defense† be Abolished in the Remaining 45 States? 1248 Words   |  5 Pagesjustice and what is best for the citizens . This is our government, since its founding, they has promised to protect us and to have its best interests at heart. Somethings in our system are debatable while other should remain just the way they are. Insanity defense is one topic that is often argued much about because of its moral concern. Should a person committing a crime go straight to jail or receive treatment if they have a mental disease? 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Scarlet Letter Essay Paper Example For Students

Scarlet Letter Essay Paper In Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter, life is centered around a rigid Puritan society in which one is unable to divulge hisor her innermost thoughts and secrets. Every human being needs the opportunity to express how he or she truly feels, otherwise the emotions are bottled up until they become volatile. Unfortunately, Puritan society did not permit this kind of expression, thus characters had to seek alternate means to relieve their personal anguishes and desires. Luckily, at least for the four main characters, Hawthorne provides such a sanctuary in the form of the mysterious forest. Hawthorne uses the forest to provide a kind of shelter for members of society in need of a refuge from daily Puritan life. In the deep, dark portions of the forest, many of the pivotal characters bring forth hidden thoughts and emotions. The forest track leads away from the settlement out into the wilderness where all signs of civilization vanish. This is precisely the escape route from strict mandates of law and religion, to a refuge where men, as well as women, can open up and be themselves. It is here that Dimmesdale openly acknowledges Hester and his undying love for her. It is also here that Hester can do the same for Dimmesdale. Finally, it is here that the two of them can openly engage in conversation without being preoccupied with the constraints that Puritan society places on them. The forest itself is the very embodiment of freedom. Nobody watches in the woods to report misbehavior, thus it is here thatpeople may do as they wish. To independent spirits such as Hester Prynnes, the wilderness beckons her: Throw off the shackles of law and religion. What good have they done you anyway? Look at you , a young and vibrant woman, grown old before your time. And no wonder, hemmed in, as you are, on every side by prohibitions. Why, you can hardly walk without tripping over one commandment or another. Come to me, and be masterless. (p.186) Truly, Hester takes advantage of this, when Arthur Dimmesdale appears. She openly talks with Dimmesdale about subjects which would never be mentioned in any place other than the forest. What we did she reminds him, had a consecration of its own. We felt it so! We said to each other! This statement shocks Dimmesdale and he tells Hester to hush, but he eventually realizes that he is in an environment where he can openly express his emotions. The thought of Hester and Dimmesdale having an intimate conversation in the confines of the society in which they live is incomprehensible. Yet here, in the forest, they can throw away all reluctance and finally be themselves under the umbrella of security which exists. In Puritan society, self reliance is stres sed among many other things. However, self reliance is more than stressed- it is assumed. It is assumed that you need only yourself, and therefore should have no emotional necessity for a shoulder to cry on. Once again, for people in the stations of life which Hester and Dimmesdale hold, it would be unthinkable for them to comfort each other. Yet, in the forest, these cares are tossed away. Be thou strong for me, Dimmesdale pleads. Advise me what to do. (p. 187) This is a cry for help from Dimmesdale, finally admitting he cannot go through this ordeal by himself. With this plea comes an interesting sort of role-reversal. When Dimmesdale asks for help, he is no longer sustaining the belief that he is above Hester. He is finally admitting that she is an equal, or even that she is above him. This is possibly one of the reasons that Puritans wont accept these emotional displays- because the society is so socially oriented. Hester, assuming a new position of power, gives a heartfelt, moving speech. The eloquence of her words cannot be overemphasized, and a more powerful statem ent had yet to be made in the book. Hesters speech turns out to bear a remarkable resemblance to one of Dimmesdales sermons. Begin all anew! Preach! Write! Act!(p. 188) The questions she asks are also like the articulate questions which Dimmesdale would pose during his sermons. The answer is obvious, yet upon closer examination they seem to give unexpected results. Whither leads yonder forest-track? Backward to the settlement, thou sayest! Yea; but onward, too! Deeper it goes, and deeper into the wilderness until, some few miles hence, the yellow leave will show no vestige of the white mans tread. (p. 187) If one looks at the title of this chapter, the meaning becomes much clearer. ThePastor and His Parishioner reveals that the roles are now reversed. Where else could an incongruity such as this occur, but inan accepting environment? What other platform is there for a man of high regard in the community to pour his soul to a woman who isshunned by the public for a grave sin? Nowher e else but in the forest, could such an event occur. .u3c34468820ce05f817ad10a6c5b0cdb2 , .u3c34468820ce05f817ad10a6c5b0cdb2 .postImageUrl , .u3c34468820ce05f817ad10a6c5b0cdb2 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u3c34468820ce05f817ad10a6c5b0cdb2 , .u3c34468820ce05f817ad10a6c5b0cdb2:hover , .u3c34468820ce05f817ad10a6c5b0cdb2:visited , .u3c34468820ce05f817ad10a6c5b0cdb2:active { border:0!important; } .u3c34468820ce05f817ad10a6c5b0cdb2 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u3c34468820ce05f817ad10a6c5b0cdb2 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u3c34468820ce05f817ad10a6c5b0cdb2:active , .u3c34468820ce05f817ad10a6c5b0cdb2:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u3c34468820ce05f817ad10a6c5b0cdb2 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u3c34468820ce05f817ad10a6c5b0cdb2 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u3c34468820ce05f817ad10a6c5b0cdb2 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u3c34468820ce05f817ad10a6c5b0cdb2 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u3c34468820ce05f817ad10a6c5b0cdb2:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u3c34468820ce05f817ad10a6c5b0cdb2 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u3c34468820ce05f817ad10a6c5b0cdb2 .u3c34468820ce05f817ad10a6c5b0cdb2-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u3c34468820ce05f817ad10a6c5b0cdb2:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Life Essay SummaryFinally, the forest brings out the natural appearance and natural personality of the people who use it correctly. When Hestertakes off her cap and unloosens her hair, we see a new person. We see the real Hester, who has been hidden this whole time under a shield of shame. Her eyes grow radiant and a flush comes to her cheek. We recognize her as the Hester from Chapter 1. The beautiful, attractive person who is not afraid to show her hair and not afraid to display her beauty. The sunlight, which previously shunned Hester, now seeks her out, and the forest seems to glow. Dimmesdale has also come back to life, if only for a short time, and he is now hopeful and energetic. We have not seen this from Dimmesdale for a long time, and most likely will not see it ever again. Puritan society can be harsh and crippling to ones inner self. Hawthorne created the forest to give the characters a place toescape and express their true thoughts, beliefs, and emotions. It was here that thoughts and ideas flowed as endlessly as the babbling brook, and emotion was as wild as the forest itself. There are no restraints in the natural world, because it is just that, natural. No intrusion from people means no disturbance in the natural order, and therefore serves to bring its inhabitants away from their world, and into this older one. I believe Michel Eyquem de Montaigne stated it most emphatically when he said Let us permit nature to have her way: she understands her business better than we do.