The Scarlet Letter

Choose one of the following essay topics and write a well organized,

well supported, and insightful essay.

1.              Discuss Hawthorne’s use of foils and opposition in The Scarlet Letter. How does Hawthorne’s use of foil and opposition contribute to the novel as a whole?

2.                          Analyze the symbolism of the scarlet letter in Hawthorne’s novel.   Discuss how the symbol frames the novel, how the symbol develops throughout the novel, and the impact of the letter on the characters in the novel. Discuss the relationship between Hester’s identity and the scarlet letter. In addition to Hester’s fabric A, be sure to discuss the meteor, Dimmesdale’s mark, and the personified A, Pearl.

3.                          Analyze the use of symbols and/or archetypes in the novel.  How do they contribute to the novel’s meaning?

4.                          Analyze the use of setting in the novel and its duality (prison, scaffold, nature, meeting house).

5.                          Analyze Hawthorne’s presentation of the nature of evil. What is the role of “The Black Man” in the novel? How are the characters impacted by evil? Who is truly evil in the novel? What are the causes of evil? How does the Puritan conception of sin help root out evil or encourage evil? Discuss the intertwining of evil with actual good acts and the hidden evil behind the façade of respectability. What social commentary does Hawthorne convey through this presentation?  Discuss the roles of Mistress Hibbins, Pearl, Chillingworth, Hester, and Dimmesdale and how each is an embodiment of evil, misconception of evil, opposite of evil, etc.

6.                          Analyze Hawthorne’s use of sin and how it affects characters.  Discuss how sin destroys the lives of Hester and Dimmesdale and, in a sense, how it forces them to improve their lives. Discuss the Puritan conceptions of sin and the human condition. In the final scenes of the novel. Do Dimmesdale’s actions show that all humans have the potential to sin, so must we punish sin severely and repress sin, or is sin inherent to human nature so must we reconcile our sinful actions with more righteous actions and strive to live a  better life?

7.                          Examine the role of women or the view of women in the Puritan society. Explain how Hester has broken free of society’s concepts.  Is she a tragic hero or an American hero?

Housej and http://www.esaonline.org/Classes/Taylor/APEnglish-Amer/ScarletLetter/ScarletEssay_topics.htm