Adversity In Horace's Character In 'The Scarlet Letter'

By revealing this small, hidden regret, he exposes Hester’s tortured state of mind. Unable to reach salvation in the town she desired to live in, she regretfully decided to leave and abandon her sorrows. The burden society placed on her with the scarlet letter was too demanding for her to handle any longer. Similarly, Arthur Dimmesdale was distressed from his ignominy. Afraid of societal repercussions, Dimmesdale had been “overcome with a great horror of mind, as if the universe were gazing at a scarlet token on his naked breast” (102). Society’s extensive honor toward him exacerbated his pain, thus causing society to trap Dimmesdale; this prevented him from revealing his dark secret and reaching salvation. Additionally, he began to picture his surroundings as an obstacle designed to hinder his path to redemption. His shortcoming to reach salvation agonized Dimmesdale to the point where he was incapable of recalling “[any] text of Scripture, nor aught else, except a brief, pithy, and, as it then appeared to him, unanswerable argument against the immorality of

An early example of this is how she handles her service to others. Even while being harassed by the general public, Hester Prynne continues to make these sacrifices which are only rewarded with hatred and insults. Hester foregoes her own pleasures, except for the lavish “decoration of her infant,” and bestows the rest of her wealth “on wretches less miserable than herself” (Hawthorne 75). She even continues to aid the poor despite the fact that they “not unfrequently insulted the hand that fed them” (Hawthorne 75). Despite the fact that it was in Hester’s best interests not to aid those around her, she continued to do so. This evidences her sheer strength of character as the heroine of the novel. Hester’s loyalty is also magnified by her selfless nature, as her willingness to sacrifice lends itself well to remaining loyal to others. Hester also selflessly bears the burden of the entire community’s sin. Hester “perceives the ‘hidden sin in other hearts’ around her” and because her sin has been uncovered, “she alone bears the penalty for deviancy” (Taylor). A prime example of this is once again her refusal to reveal Dimmesdale as her child’s father. In resisting their efforts to uncover him, Hester states to the clergy: “I might endure his agony, as well as mine!” (Hawthorne 63). Here, her loyalty is greatly supplemented by her willingness to suffer in place

Napoleon Hill once stated, “Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” From George Washington to Nelson Mandela, greatness is cultivated from adversity during turbulent times. Horace’s assertion is correct in view of the fact that adversity causes people to act, reveals vulnerabilities, and forces people to adapt.

It can occur in any form, slightly stressful or devastating painful. It can happen to anyone, rich, poor, big or small. Adversity is inevitable. Most people would consider it very negative with no benefits, but they are not aware of its hidden effect. Roman poet Horace suggests that adversity can cause a person to demonstrate certain talents, which would not have been present if not for their misfortune. People and characters in any literary work experience unfortunate events and put through difficult situations that they need to overcome. Adversity uncovers their concealed gifts that help them through their hardships. Under its effect, it also can alter the process in developing a character and transform them into someone completely different.

To begin with, Hester’s sin drove the story, but after the community established her as a sinner, she overcame her sins but she still struggled through other characters. Instead of depicting Hester’s inner turmoil directly to Hester, Hawthorne portrays her tumult through other characters in her life such as Dimmesdale, Chillingworth, and the community. Dimmesdale proclaimed to Hester, “If thou feelest it to be for thy soul’s peace, and that thy earthly punishment will thereby be made more effectual to salvation, I charge thee to speak out the name of thy fellow-sinner and

Mr. Dimmesdale’s conscience constantly brought his negative aspects to mind, and caused him to spiral into self hatred and misery. The overwhelming presence of guilt for his offense caused Mr. Dimmesdale unbearable suffering and general unhappiness in knowing that he had not only wronged God, but Hester and the entire community as well.

Hawthorne, in lines 63 to 66, compares Dimmesdale to a poor pilgrim, ready to faint anytime soon, who sees a glimpse of “human affection and sympathy, a new life . . . in exchange for the heavy doom which he was now expiating.” The metaphor here perfectly summarizes what Dimmesdale felt when he saw Hester Prynne. He, the tormented pilgrim, desperately longs for a new life upon seeing Hester, the human affection and a true life. Another metaphor Hawthorne uses is seen in lines 67 to 77, associating Dimmesdale’s soul to a citadel with a ruined wall because of a “breach which guilt has once made into the human soul.” This extended metaphor of the effects of sin and the brokenness and vulnerability of Dimmesdale further expounds on how Dimmesdale’s fragile mental state could only further

The Roman poet Horace states that “Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.” By this, he explains the role these hardships play in shaping and developing a person’s character. I agree that adversity not only elicits talents, but also brings out the hidden aptitudes within a person that which they were unaware of before. Through learning experiences and observations, I have witnessed the significant outcomes that come from the result of adversities.

Merriam-Webster 's Dictionary defines adversity as, "a state or instance of serious or continued difficulty or misfortune; ex. showing courage in the face of adversity" (Merriam-Webster). Unfortunately, life is not fair. Sometimes, people are faced with serious misfortune and must adapt to survive. And sometimes in this state of adaption, the person will learn new skills from the misfortune and can apply those skills to everyday life. Nathaniel Hawthorn 's The Scarlet Letter is a story that takes place in a harsh, puritanical 17th century society called the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In reality, it was actually Boston,

Adversity is a difficult or unpleasant situation. The quote “Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant” by the Roman poet Horace this quote is to be agreed with. The meaning of that quote is when something difficult occurs in life, it will reveal characteristics you didn’t know about yourself. To start, in Mexican Whiteboy by Matt De La Pena, shows that the main character, Danny, is struggling in life at the beginning of the book.

Considered an outcast from society, Hester continues her job as the town’s seamstress. In 1888, Emerson publishes an essay called Self Reliance. In Self Reliance, Emerson writes that people must “accept the place the divine providence has found for [them], the society of contemporaries, the connection of events” (Hodgins 190). In essence, Emerson says that people need to accept their life’s path. Hester learns to do just that. She knows that she will live alone with Pearl and accepts her roll as the soul provider. During the tough times, Hester never loses her spirit or determination. She “never sacrificed her moral integrity for the sake of her own benefit” (Analysis). Towards the middle of the novel, Hester accepts that the scarlet letter remains a part of her, but discovers that it no longer defines her. Hawthorne says “…that many people refuse to interpret the scarlet A by its original signification. They said that it meant Able” (Hawthorne 146). What the people say about Hester explains her self-reliance perfectly. The A no longer has its original meaning to the town people. The town people begin to accept Hester for her qualities, not for the symbol upon her

Adversity puts people in difficult or unpleasant situations which can create very strong emotions that can help or harm. When people face adversity, it is seen as a challenge and whether or not they overcome the challenge is personal. However regardless of whether adversity helps or harms, it is advantageous because it offers a challenge to overcome which builds character.

As a result of this eclipse of her former personality, Hester became everything the Puritans wanted physically. She was a great Samaritan in the community, and was utterly humble and honest. When she showed the worst in her at all times, she had nothing to hide from the people who she met, and their opinions of her could only raise. The irony in the fact that she became a model citizen in the eyes of the Puritans only points to Hawthorne's distaste for the Puritan way of life, for Hester manifested a perfect Janus; a two faced entity of whom no one knew the true nature. Physically, the Puritans loved her behavior, actions, and example.

As American-British novelist Mark Lawrence once said, “We’re built of contradictions, all of us. It’s those opposing forces that give us strength, like an arch, each block pressing the next”. The aforementioned contradictions are what lead to conflicts, and in turn growth and acceptance. Nathaniel Hawthorne, in his revolutionary classic The Scarlet Letter, delves into the conflicts that the brave, yet infamous Hester Prynne has to overcome. As Hawthorne unfolds the unfortunate tragedy of Hester and her mysterious lover, the battles Hester has to face are multiple external and internal stimuli that bring about the growth of Hester as a character. The onerous obstacles that Hester must face through her life wear her out mentally, but only then can she truly grow and accept who she is.

While Hester is a feminist, not only does she share the ideals but shows superiority to the town while being fearless. " It may seem marvelous, that this woman should still call that place her home, where, and where only, she must needs be the type of shame.” (chapter 5, paragraph 2) Hester does not let the shame and remorse of the sin keep her away from the town like most would do. Hawthorne even states that Dimmesdale is weaker than Hester by punishing himself and holding his heart while Hester embraces the sin and is strong while carrying the letter on her chest. She leads a self-righteous life, although she could keep what she earns, she gives most away. Even the townsfolk say Hester is "so kind to the poor, so helpful to the sick, so comfortable to the afflicted."(chapter 13, paragraph 5) Hester can be seen over the townspeople helping them although they shamed her. Hawthorne presents that Hester’s “tendency of her fate and fortunes had been to set her free.” (chapter 18, paragraph 2) With this Hester has a “radiant and tender smile, that seemed gushing from the very heart of womanhood. (chapter 18, paragraph 12) These quotes from Hawthorne show that Hester’s kindness helps her overcome her sin on her own. With Hester’s contribution to the town, “Her handiwork became what would now be termed the fashion.” (chapter 5, paragraph 6) In his research, Sacvan Bercovitch remarks that “Hester Prynne ‘builds upon the tradition of the biblical Esther -