On The Embodiment Of The Christian Spirit On Hester In The Searlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter, published in1850, is still one of the readers’ favourites atpresent for its profound meaning. Such literary elements as symbolism, psychologicalportrayal, biblical prototype, ambiguity and so on can be found in the text. Since itspublication, the critics have already analyzed and discussed it from different perspectiveswith various methods, which extends from psychoanalysis, archetypal analysis,feminism interpretation, etc. Among various studies, a lot of critics focus on Hester. Inthis thesis, the present writer also takes Hester as an entry point to probe into theembodiment of the Christian spirit on Hester.In many critics’ mind, Hester is a positive female figure and a Hutchinson-likenew female image, who dares to revolt against the Puritan authority and patriarchalfigures. However, The Scarlet Letter, as such an inclusive and extensible text, theexplanation about Hester is not fixed. The writer of this thesis holds that Hester is anembodiment of the Christian spirit as well. Exploring the embodiment of the Christianspirit on Hester can make readers feel and taste the charm of The Scarlet Letter fromanother angle. Hester has in one the frailty of human being and the holiness of Christianspirit. Though the sin she commits brings her so much adversity, Hester, an imperfectfemale, sails in the canoe of her flesh through the waves of the world with Christian resolution and mind.In The Scarlet Letter, Hester’s experience and behavior give a good explanation ofthe essence of the Christian spirit. Like Jesus Christ, her life course experiencing sin,hardship and redemption meets with twist and turn. What is more, great and holyChristian spirit is mirrored in Hester’s behavior. Her lifetime is a vivid presentation ofthe core of Christian spirit—tolerance, philanthropy, devotion, sacrifice and faithfulness.Facing Puritan citizens, who bring her so much humiliation and torment, Hester toleratesthem and reforms them with her philanthropy. Confronting Priest Dimmesdale, whoabandons her and leaves her in plight, Hester makes silent devotion to and sacrifice forhim with little complaint. Until the end of her life, Hester is wholeheartedly faithful tothe love between herself and Dimmesdale. Hester, like a bright star, shines in the darksky of Puritan community and with Jesus-like broad mind, accepts and forgives all thatbrings her harm and torment.