The Top Ten List of The Ironies in The Scarlet Letter
1. People treat ministers or other religious leaders as if they are saints or God, but the fact is that those ministers are also human, and just as sinful as anyone else on earth. Ch2 B1363 / 41 Had there been a Papist among the crowd of Puritans [ . . . ] and the more lost for the infant that she had borne. Ch3 B1365 / 44 At his arrival in the market-place, [ . . . ] made a gesture of it in the air, and laid it on his lips. Ch 3 B1369 / 48-49 The Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale bent his head, [ . . . ] cup that is now presented to thy lips!” Ch 3 B1369-70 / 49 “Woman, transgress not beyond [ . . . ] She will not speak!” Ch 10 B1403-04 / 90-91 “That, good sir, is but a fancy of yours, [ . . . ] while their hearts are all speckled and spotted with iniquity of which they cannot rid themselves.” Ch 11 B1409 / 97 While thus suffering under bodily disease [ . . . ] eminent as several of them were. Ch 11 B1410 / 98-99 It is inconceivable, [ . . . ] am utterly a pollution and a lie!” Ch 12 B1417-18 / 107-08 “Who is that man, Hester?” [ . . . ] I pray you, let me lead you home!” 2. People consider that Hester Prynne is a sinner, who commits the sin of adultery, but do not realize that they are just as sinful as she is, since in God’s eyes, any sin is still a sin. Ch 2 B1360 / 38 “People say,” [ . . . ] so walk the streets as brave as ever!” Ch 2 B1362 / 40 “Make way, [ . . . ] and show your scarlet letter in the market-place!” Ch 3 B1366 / 45 “It behooves him well, [ . . . ] to wear a mark of shame upon her bosom.” Ch 3 B1370 / 49 “Speak, woman!” [ . . . ] She will not speak!” Ch 5 B1375/ 56 It may seem marvelous, [ . . . ] but never could be broken. Ch 8 B1391/ 75 The Governor, [ . . . ] But how gat such a guest into my hall?” Ch 8 B1394/ 78-79 At this wild and singular appeal, [ . . . ] so forcibly reminding us of that red symbol which sears her bosom?” Ch 14 B1424 / 115 “It lies not in the pleasure of the magistrates [ . . . ] and shows right bravely on your bosom!” 3. The characters, the so-called Puritans, particularly those religious leaders, do not believe the forgiveness of God. Ch 3 B1370 / 49-50 Discerning the impracticable state [ . . . ] the dark passageway of the interior. Ch 5 B1375 / 56 It may seem marvelous, [ . . . ] but never could be broken. Ch 14 B1426 / 118 “I must reveal the secret, [ . . . ] There is no path to guide us out of this dismal maze!” Ch 16 B1434 / 128 When her elf child had departed, [ . . . ] Death was too definite an object to be wished for, or avoided. Ch 17 B1436 / 130-31“You wrong yourself in this,” [ . . . ] all emptiness!— all death!” Ch 22 B1465 / 167 While Hester stood in that magic circle [ . . . ] that the same scorching stigma was on them both? 4. Throughout the novel, the Puritan religious leaders have done quite a few unbelievable things, (especially Mr. Dimmesdale), but only reveal anxiety on their faces, but choose not to ask forgiveness from God. Ch 5 B1378-79 / 60 Continually, and in a thousand other ways, [ . . . ] gliding silently through the town. Ch 6 B1381-82 / 63-64 The discipline of the family, [ . . . ] But the task was beyond her skill. Ch 6 B1384 / 72 Gazing at Pearl, [ . . . ] and resume her play. Ch 6 B1385-86 / 67 “Child, what are thou?” [ . . . ] suppressing a groan. Ch 9 B1398 / 84 “Were it God’s will, [ . . . ] to walk with him on the golden pavements of the New Jerusalem.” Ch 11 B1410 / 98-99 It is inconceivable, [ . . . ] whom you so reverence and trust, am utterly a pollution and a lie!” Ch 11 B1411 / 99-100 His inward trouble drove [ . . . ] under the lock and key. Ch 12 B1412-13 / 102 And thus, while standing on the scaffold, [ . . . ] and were bandying it to and fro. 5. When the religious leader, in this case is Mr. Dimmesdale, realize that he has committed the sin, he proclaims to the public people by saying that everyone sins, without the guilt that he should have at least be a little more “demonstrative” to the church people. Ch 23 B1468 / 170-71 “Madman, hold! [ . . . ] that there was a feeble smile upon his lips. Ch 23 B1469-70 / 172 With a convulsive motion [ . . . ] out of which the life seemed to have departed. 6. Religious leaders going to witches to ask for help, so that they would stay away from terrible ghosts, but do not ask God for help to keep them away from temptations. Ch 20 B1451 / 149 “What is it that haunts and tempts me thus?” [ . . . ] which his most fond imagination can conceive?” Ch 20 B1451-52 / 150 “So, reverend Sir, you have made a visit into the forest, [ . . . ] we shall have other talk together!” 7. Ministers do not put their trust in God in the forgiveness of sins, and ask for other general public people to forgive them. Ch 17 B1439 / 134 “The judgment [ . . . ] what to do.
8. Men would always be sinful, and their freedom from commitment of their sins does not mean that they would stay out of sins forever. Ch 23 B1470 / 173 “Hush, Hester, hush!” [ . . . ] His will be done! Farewell!” Ch 24 B1473-74 / 177-78 She assured them, too, [ . . . ] by the truest test of a life successful to such an end! 9. The disappearance of sins is by forgetting about them completely, and not by asking God for forgiveness. Ch 12 B1414 /103-04 “As the Reverend Mr. Wilson [ . . . ] although his mind had made an involuntary effort to relieve itself by a kind of lurid playfulness. Ch 18 B1440 / 136 The minister, on the other hand, [ . . . ] than if he had never sinned at all. Ch 18 B1441/ 137-38 So, speaking, [ . . . ] sinkings of the heart, and unaccountable misfortune. Ch 22 B1460-61/ 161 It was the observation [ . . . ] while she groped darkly, and stretched forth her cold hands, and found him not. 10. The disorder of the power of God and the religious leaders. People ask for forgiveness from them instead of asking God directly, through His Son, Jesus Christ. Ch 17 B 1437 /132 “I might have known [ . . . ] Thou shalt forgive!”
Ch 23 B 1469-70 / 172 With a convulsive motion he tore away the ministerial band from before his breast. [ . . . ] dear little Pearl, will thou kiss me now?”