The Scarlett Letter is Hawthorne’s novel in which, the narrator explores the theme of hypocrisy through his characters and literature. The literary skilled explored in this work makes it clear that man is always in a relationship and this significantly contributes to his conduct. It is important to realize from the Letter of the scarlet that the entire presentation gives an overview of the entire narration content. One of the major themes of central concern in this literary work is hypocrisy. This is an aspect of the human behavior where the actions of individuals are directly opposite what they publicly claim to stand for. It is therefore important that this theme is critically looked into so that its implication to the characters and true picture of the nature of the society is brought out.
The narrator explores the traditional culture of the Puritans who settled and founded Boston. This community is presented as being very strict with their cultural practices which are significantly influenced by their religious beliefs. Purity is claimed to be an important principle of these immigrants. General principles that regulate the conduct of man require that one exhibit the behavior consistent with his/her beliefs. This is not the case with puritans who subject some of its members forming major characters in the narrative to suffer. Hester is a key character whose experiences with the society explain the real picture of hypocrisy. Having been accused of unfaithfulness after getting a child out of marriage, she is stigmatized by the community and subjected to psychological torture “I find here a woman, a man, a child, amongst whom and myself there exists the closest ligament. No matter whether of love or of hate “ (Hawthorne pg70).Dimmesdale and Hester attempt to reconcile their dark past through their worldly experiences. This is a good method of reformation toward the heavenly kingdom. However, the elders who makes decisions on behalf of the Puritan community sees earthly sins as an challenge to heavenly journey. In that respect, they propose harsh punishment aimed at suppressing such immorality “Why do we talk of marks and brands? This woman has brought shame upon us all. Surely she ought to die!” (Hawthorne pg6). A point of hypocrisy is painted all over this incident since the Puritans seen as being stagnant as opposed to the experiences of Hester that initiates and promotes personal spiritual and social growth.
It is evident that Dimmesdale pretends to be two different people in one person. On one side is an eloquent preacher with good and much understanding of the religious and social beliefs “You are responsible now for this woman’s soul” (Hawthorne pg15). On the other is a man capable of having an illicit affair with Hester who was married to Roger Chillingworth. His consistent failure to admit that he is adulterous is a common nature of man that forms the climax of hypocrisy in the face of man and view of God whom he claims to be worshiping “How glad your heart must be to find yourself here in Boston where sin is punished.” (Hawthorne pg12). He is from the puritan community and this behavior just serves as the representative picture of the larger group. Considering the social environment and the position he holds in the community, his romantic adventure with a married woman portrays hypocrisy. It is actually in regard to this act that the community puts him in isolation. What about Roger Chillingworth? He expresses open negligence to the emotional needs of the wife and yet expects the wife to love him back. His own personal inadequacies seem not to move him and instead he feels aggrieved after the Hester his wife gets into another relationship. There is total injustice in condemning Hester for her illicit affair with another man without interrogating the irresponsibility of Chillingworth and this is an open scene of unfair approach of the Puritans to the people.
After Dimmesdale accepts fathering pearl, Chillingworth plots revenge in the course of his chemical experiments most of which border witchcraft “Yet if death is in this cup, I ask you to think about it before I drink it” (Hawthorne pg19). The relationship between Dimmesdale and Hester is a sin with a real intention of love while Chillingworth presents an opposite of this in the guise of reviving his relationship with the wife “would you take revenge on an innocent baby?” (Hawthorne pg19). This is a situation of real social complexity that exposes the judgment loopholes in line with the religious tenets of the puritan community “. The resounding religious speech of Dimmesdale attracts people but instead of seeing this as an ordinary service to God, they seem to think that it is mode of relieving the guilt pressure. It really surprising to realize that after the death of Dimmesdale, the community labels him iconic rather than the sinful person they branded with letter A for adulterer.
In conclusion, it is worth to note that the narrator who talks about things that happened before his time and almost act as the mouthpiece of the author of the book explores the theme of hypocrisy. The experiences of the four major characters highlighted in this work give an insight into the real nature of man in terms of reality and ideals.

Work cited
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. Irvine: Saddleback Educational Pub, 2010. Internet resource.

Category: Blog