One main theme present in the work "The Scarlet Lette" is that of sin and guilt. Nathaniel Hawthorne attempts to show how guilt can be a form of everlasting punishment. The book represents sin and guilt through symbolism and character development. In his novel, "The Scarlet Letter", Nathaniel Hawthorne explains how the punishment of guilt causes the most suffering among those affected. As with any piece, symbolism plays an important role in representing the main …showed first 75 words of 1790 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1790 total…show the pain the characters suffer. In his novel, The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne explains how the punishment of guilt causes the most suffering among those affected. BIBLIOGRAPHY: "Guilt as Reparation for Sin in The Scarlet Letter." [http://www.123student.com/english/1443.shtml]. Feb. 2004. Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York: Penguin Books, 1962. "Punishment Quote." [http://www.123student.com/english/1910.shtml]. Feb. 2004. Stephanie. "Symbolism in The Scarlet Letter." [http://www.online-literature.com/hawthorne/scarletletter]. Feb. 2004.