hawthorns letter A

Although Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter is primarily the story of an adulteress atoning for her sin and conquering the insignia which brings torment to her spirit, the quest of the partner in her sin, Arthur Dimmesdale, is no less important and even more painful. His quest, simply phrased, is to glorify God through his priesthood and expiate his sin of adultery - to save his soul - while protecting his reputation. To do …

…to his side. He climbed the steps of the scoffold where years before Hester had stood and received the community’s scorn. It was now his turn to admit his part in Hester’s shame. With a sudden motion, he tore the ministerial band from his breast and sank dying to the platform. When he exposed his breast, a cut scar of the scarlet letter "A" was seen imprinted on the flesh above his heart.