Hawthorne: The Unpardonable Sin

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the many forms through which Hawthorne's definition of 'unpardonable' sin evolves in his works of fiction, focusing on "The Birthmark," "Ethan Brand," and "The Scarlet Letter." Whatever the form the sin takes it becomes the sinner's obsession and ultimate destruction. The writer examines its relationship to another important and related theme, death, and describes how Hawthorne showed that sin continues to affect others even after the sinner's death. Finally, in "The Scarlet Letter," the concept of sympathy emerges as a redeeming product of the unpardonable sin, bringing the characters closer together and deepening their humanity.

From the Paper:

"In "The Birthmark," Hawthorne begins to talk about the unpardonable sin, but he really does not develop the concept to the extent that it could be developed in that particular work. Instead, the evolution of the unpardonable sin takes place through several of his books. While it begins in "The Birthmark," real development of it is seen in "Ethan Brand" where it achieves more definition. At that point the reader is much more aware of what Hawthorne is actually talking about and this helps to show the importance and the seriousness of the issue of the unpardonable sin. Full realization of the unpardonable sin, however, comes in another Hawthorne work, "The Scarlet Letter.""

Sample of Sources Used:

• Hawthorne, Nathaniel, Connolly, Thomas, & Baym, Nina. (2002). The Scarlet Letter. New York: Penguin Classics.
• Johns, William. 2001. House of the Seven Gables, The, by Nathaniel Hawthorne. H.P. Lovecraft Library. <http://www.gizmology.net/lovecraft/works/super/7gables.htm>.
• McCullen, Joseph T., & Guilds, John C. (1960). The unpardonable sin in Hawthorne: A re-examination. Nineteeth-Century Fiction, 15(3): 221-237.

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• Essay # 73728 : "Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Ethan Brand"

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