Welsh 1

Michael Welsh

Ms. Moss

English 10 Pre AP

28 October 2017

The Effect of the Scarlet Letter

In The Scarlet Letter, by Nathanial Hawthorne, Hawthorne utilizes metaphors, syntax,

and a guilty, dark tone to convey Hester Prynne’s inner turmoil regarding remaining in her home

town where she had committed her transgressions.

The use of metaphors plays a key role in the description of the origin of Hester’s troubles.

Early on Hawthorne compares the religious repercussion of her sin to “the final bar of

judgement.” This statement by Hester identifies the original cause of her turmoil and with that,

the metaphor allows Hawthorne to describe its effects both mental and physical. Hawthorne

identifies this place of final judgement of the two being persecuted for this deviant act as their

“Marriage-altar.” References to judgement before God along with marriage altars draws parallels

to Hester’s broken marriage, with Rodger Chillingworth. The source of her inner turmoil can be

more simply described as the guilt and shame that comes with the adultery she has committed:

and this inner conflict results in Hester having to weigh the consequences of remaining a New

England resident. Utilization of metaphors is just one of the devices that allows Hawthorne to

show the cause of Hester’s moral battle.

Throughout the passage elements of syntax are put into use to convey the shameful and

controversial mood of Hester. Nathaniel Hawthorne states, “… like a serpent from its hole – it
 Welsh 2

might be that another feeling….” The use of these dashes allow Hawthorne to slow the passage

down and further advance the understanding of Hester’s mood. This understanding of Hester’s

shame makes her inner turmoil more apparent. Further on two dashes are placed in the dramatic

build up to the reason Hester might consider staying in New England. Hawthorne utilizes these

pauses in between parallel sentences; for example, “What she compelled herself to believe –

what finally she reasoned upon… - was half a truth, and half a self-delusion.” These dashes have

the same effect of slowing down the passage and dramatizing Hester’s decision. The suspenseful

build up created for her final decision can be compared to the long and drawn out process of her

shame and decision making. The dashes elongating the sentences aide conveying how dragged

out and painstaking Hester’s situation is. This syntax technique mirrors Hester’s slow and

painful thought process and method of deciding whether or not to stay in New England.

A guilty, dark tone is built up throughout the passage by use of words with negative

connotation. One of these is a “desperate” tone created through the constant description of

Hester’s helplessness. There seems to be nothing Hester can do about her scarlet letter but take

the punishment given to her in hopes to one day be pure of soul. With her being at the mercy of

the people and their decision to treat her as an outsider because of her actions, Hawthorne uses

words and comparisons that parallel Hester’s position. Next a tone of “guilt” takes over the

passage. Hawthorne chooses this tone to place in this particular passage because of its relevance

to her inner struggle. Hester’s conflict can be simply described as guilt; the guilt she faces from

having to live amongst the community who knows her transgressions, and the guilt from

knowing how she has negatively affected both Chillingworth and Pearl. Utilization of these tones

further conveys how Hester feels inside about her situation.

 Welsh 3

Throughout the passage Hawthorne’s use of metaphors, syntax techniques, and a

desperate and guilty tone allows him to describe and convey Hester’s inner conflict. With the use

of these devices Hawthorne explains that Hester will stay a resident; in hopes that her soul will

be cleansed and rid of her transgressions. With his explanation of how this sin has impacted

Hester personally and internally, Hawthorne brings light to the harsh effect of shame and how

public view of a person can affect their life.