Belief in the sinfulness of man is an essential element in the work of many writers. This understanding of the imperfect and fallen man weighs heavily on Hawthorne’s writings. Many compositions of authorship, including The Scarlet Letter, reflect a keen and insightful sense of morality. Despite the many pieces of evidence of virtue, they look paltry compared to the description of weaknesses in the main character of the story, Dimmesdale.
Hawthorne (2016) states that beneath his outward appearance of goodness, there is glaring sin. For Hawthorne, evil works against the nature of good in man and society, and vice is most obviously embodied in man. Nevertheless, the author does not hide the fact that at some point in his life, this villainous character was once another person, worthy and capable of goodness and mercy. Thus, Hawthorne believes that human nature is capable of going both ways. He sees human nature as flawed and equally capable of sin and hatred, but also great love. The author believes in repentance and subsequent atonement after the transgression.
Despite describing the imperfections of human nature, Hawthorne displays a positive outlook. The author argues that all people are worthy of redemption, even if they do not seek it. A prime example is Chillingworth’s descriptions from The Scarlet Letter. At the beginning of the story, this hero appears to the reader as a modest nature and claims that it is he who is to blame for Hester’s moral failure, declaring: “It was my folly!” and “Mine was the first wrong” (Hawthorne 467).
Chillingworth has not yet and will never become downright evil because although he is partially responsible for the destruction of Dimmesdale, he bequeaths Pearl’s money and property that is not blood to him. These expressions of humility and generosity indicate that it is still good in Chillingworth. Thus, Hawthorne puts into his characters the idea that people, despite all their imperfections, can show kindness, do good deeds, and change.
Work Cited
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. “The Scarlet Letter.” The Norton Anthology of American Literature, 9th ed., edited by Robert S. Levine, Michael A. Elliott, and Sandra M. Gustafson, 2016, pp. 451-569.