The Scarlet Letter Theme of Guilt and Blame

Guilt and blame weave in and out of the hearts of the characters that inhabit The Scarlet Letter . The relationships of these characters are defined by either the guilt they feel or by the blame they place. However, it would seem that any character is equally capable of feeling guilty or of placing blame. Hester Prynne commits adultery and is ostracized for the blame placed upon her. Her lover is transformed physically and emotionally by the guilt he feels, and her husband is driven mad by his quest to inspire guilt in Hester’s lover.

1. Do guilt and blame work together to bring reformation of any of the characters in this book? Why or why not?
2. What does "redemption" mean to the Puritans in this novel?
3. What does redemption mean to Hester? To Roger Chillingworth? To Reverend Dimmesdale? To Pearl?
4. Does redemption require confession, according to this book? If so, to whom? Why or why not?

Although Puritan society sets up strict guidelines to control people’s behavior, its use of isolation and blame as punishment drives Hester and the Reverend Dimmesdale to reject its social mores and religious devotion for a short time.

The scarlet letter A fulfills its intended purpose by isolating Hester Prynne from society, but it ultimately fulfills an unintended purpose—that of reformation of her character.