Conflicts and Themes of The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter provide us with an interesting set of conflicts to discuss. Many of these conflicts are present in other stories we’ve read so far. As you read my descriptions of these conflicts, see if you can recall similar conflicts in other stories we’ve read in this class.

Conflicts in The Scarlet Letter

Hester versus society

Hester is an outcast because of her sin. As modern readers, it’s tricky to imagine anyone being exiled for an out-of-wedlock pregnancy, but for the Puritans, this is serious offense. At her trial, her neighbors call for her execution.

She remains strong and resolute, however, and her reputation for good works and beautiful craftsmanship eventually quells the scorn of her neighbors. Even after her term is up, she continues to wear her scarlet “A,” suggesting that even if her society will welcome her back, she has no desire to rejoin them.

Dimmesdale versus Chillingworth

Hester’s affair with Dimmesdale is made more shocking by the fact that she is married to another man. Chillingsworth, her husband, was supposed to join her Boston, but in the interim, he learns that she has disgraced herself. He doesn’t censure her, but instead devotes himself to Dimmesdale’s demise. Chillingworth is a scholar, and he is not religious. His lack of Puritan morality stands in stark contrast to Dimmesdale’s tortured soul. Dimmesdale’s combination of morality, fragility, and religious scholasticism make him the natural opposite of the secular, scientific, and frigid Chillingsworth.

Dimmsdale versus society, or Dimmsdale versus himself

Dimmesdale is deeply convicted of the importance of setting a moral example for his congregation. However, as a man of God, he is also convicted that he cannot live a double life. As penance for his sin, he inflicts the more painful physical and psychological tortures. The more he causes himself to suffer, the more powerful his sermons become. Dimmesdale is desperate to come clean, but is terrified of leading other astray.

Because Puritans believe in predestination, Dimmesdale is unsure of the state of his soul. Predestination suggests that everyone is damned or saved before they even exist. However, Dimmesdale has a hard time believing that he can be redeemed from his sin. When he finally does confess, he feels as though he has been saved.

Throughout the story, we are challenged to consider whether Dimmesdale feels guilty because he believes adultery is a sin from an objective standpoint, or whether Dimmesdale is only guilty because of the culture he lives in.

Themes of The Scarlet Letter

Appetite, passion, and sin

Are all desires of the flesh sinful?

Guilt

Why do we experience guilt?

Hypocrisy

Why do we find hypocrisy so heinous? How do we react when someone we hold in high regard doesn’t act as we feel they should?

Free Will and Predestination

Are we in charge of our fate? Do our actions even matter?

Humanity and savagery

How different are humans from animals?