Upon attempting to answer a question like this, it is important to consider the definition of the phrase 'morally ambiguous'. Are we judging morality upon the expectations of society? If so, are we considering modern day society or or the much more religious and conservative Victorian society which Bronte experienced? In both cases, however especially the society contemporary to Bronte's time, morality was seen as something black and white, evil and good were entirely mutually exclusive. Evil was a potent force which intended to hurt and destroy, against the expectations of society which were usually based on Christian views.
The scarlet letter which stands for the ignominious Puritan punishment for Adultery is skilfully used by Hawthorne to denounce their rigidity. It is used as if it were a magical mirror, it magnifies the protagonists’ stances on the Puritans’ creed and judgement and has a deep impact on the characters’ development and how Hawthorne has lead them on different paths. First and foremost, the scarlet letter, as the symbol of the Puritan rigid conception of life, enables the narrator to depict the Puritans’ punishment as overreacting to a so-called sinful behaviour. As far as Hester Prynne is concerned, the scarlet letter, which first symbolises her sin, enables her to become, in the end, the embodiment of virtue and freedom of thought and to lie in sharp contrast with the Puritans. On the contrary, imprisoned in the Puritan way of thinking, the scarlet letter leads Arthur Dimmesdale to his fall.
This proves that Joseph cares more about tradition than family. His severe steadfastness is not only limited to family, but to higher ranks, as he gets angry at the inspector for allowing the great horses to be used in Waknuk, "He went on boiling with rage for several days…" (38). Joseph is already uneasy thinking about the great horses, and when he sees them, he blows up at the inspector arguing how wrong they are. Although he knows that they are stronger and faster than regular horses, he says they are offences, despite that they are government approved. Joseph is so blind because of his faith that he is willing to lash out on
The first of these dangers is susceptibility of Americans to extreme individualism, and isolation from the community. Secondly Tocqueville fears that American’s would develop an excessive desire for material things. Moreover, he believes democracy would cause American’s to lose the ability to think for themselves and, instead conform to society. Tocqueville’s final concern of Democracy was that an intense aspiration for total equality would in turn create a society who sacrifices many rights. Tocqueville argues that the only thing which will keep Americans away from these dangers, which would undoubtedly lead to despotism is religion as source of moral education.
Hawthorne wrote The Scarlet Letter to send a message about the hypocrisy of the church to the people of his time. In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne portrays the Puritans as prude and hypocritical. Because this writing is an allegory, the characters tell us universal truths about mankind through what happens in the story. Therefore, when the reader is shown the different effects of exposed sin(Hester Prynne), partially exposed sin(Reverend Dimmesdale), and completely hidden sin(Roger Chillingworth), he/she can draw conclusions about how different types of sin affect mankind in general. In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne demonstrates through Reverend Dimmesdale how not repenting for sin can affect a man's soul, which changes the ways that he relates to himself, to others, and to God.
Puritanical Beliefs Princeton defines Puritanism as “strictness and austerity in conduct and religion”. This is a understatement, when referring to the Puritan people of the 16th and 17th century. Based on the idealism of Anglican Christianity and the beliefs of a man by the name of Roger Calvin, Puritanistic incorporation of fundamental values based on the bible makes it seem quite like an extremist-like sect. Puritan life requires unwavering devotion and unfaltering faith - a difficult ambition to achieve in mid-1600 English society. Oppression by the Anglican Church was overwhelming, not to mention prevalent sinful behavior that plagued the continent – contradicting core puritan beliefs.
In the novel, Hawthorne reveals the true actions of society, which became to be an everlasting theme of the world. Ever since Hawthorne wrote his novel, hypocrisy continues to be present in today’s society. The Puritan society was thought of to be based on religious aspects from the bible, which advocates forgiveness. Yet, the Puritans force Hester Prynne to wear a Scarlet Letter “A” for her committed sin. Nathaniel Hawthorne makes his view on hypocrisy clear when he states: “No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the true.” Hawthorne makes it clear that man have two views: one that he truly believes, and one that he shows to the rest of the world.
To what extent is lying permissible? Reading complicated articles on philosophy and psychology of lying makes people more anxious to know about the truth of lying. And one can ask to what extent is lying permissible? Every writer has different opinion about lying. Russell claims, lying is morally wrong, Carson believes in some cases it is preferable and Mazur states that different traditions advocate the lying in different circumstances.
The Importance of the Scaffold in Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter: Since the beginning of time humans have had to confront their sinfulness. Some rely on religious faith to help with the struggle against sin while others add to their sins by lying to hide other sins. In the end, man must stand alone – as a sinful creature before God. In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, Dimmesdale struggles with his sin until he discovers the scaffold as a place to find peace with himself. That scaffold holds more importance than just somewhere to condemn prisoners.
That thought pattern is rooted in sin and rebellion because the gospel message is centered on repentance of sin and accepting Jesus as Lord. It is not centered on people living as they like and expecting God to adjust his precepts to us in that spiritual state. 2. This culture has become so morally loose until morality is almost non-existent. To live a moral life according to the gospel message is perceived as being too restrictive to a large number of the populace.