Sin is defined as a transgression of a religious or moral law, especially if deliberate. In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne one of the main points of the book is related to sin and how it can affect people. Hawthorne uses several methods to convey the nature of sin through his characters and symbolism in The Scarlet Letter. The scarlet A on Hester Prynne's chest and Hester herself represent known sin. She commits adultery and is caught. The A is his punishment and also a reminder about sin. Sin and Hester's daughter is named Pearl. It symbolizes the product of sin and sin itself. The third member of the sinful family is Dimsdale. He is loved and treated with respect by the people of the country. No one but him knows that he too has sinned. Hawthorne uses that character to represent hidden sin and guilt. Three different aspects of sin represented by three different characters in The Scarlet Letter. The known sin is why the protagonist, Hester, is forced to wear an A on her clothes and this is what it symbolizes. "On the chest of his dress of fine red cloth, surrounded by elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread, appeared the letter A." pg 50. Throughout the book the letter A refers to Hester and sin. Even when Dimsdale is on the gallows in chapter 12 he swears he sees an A flying in the sky. The next day the citizens say they saw him as an angel since the governor is dead. Hester Prynne has a new power when she receives the A. This power allows her to see sin in other people. Pearl and Hester take a trip to the Governor's house and as Hester looks at her reflection in the armor she sees herself and Pearl as an A. Hester s...... middle of paper ...... born born of sin , as Pearl is, then that child will live with sin. Pearl is cursed and her future is decided as long as she lives with this curse. Although Hester's sin is known, Dimsdales is not and this is the sin that Pearl carries with her. Not the known sin of his mother but the hidden sin of his father. Only when Dimsdale dies is Pearl freed from the curse. When there is no longer a sin to hide there is no longer a curse and the spell is broken. A child of sin will be forgiven if the sin is also forgiven. The characters in Hawthornes' novel The Scarlet Letter show three different aspects of sin and how it can change and damage a person's life. Hester is the symbol of Knows Sin. Totally opposite to her is Dimsdale who shows the hidden sin. The daughter and product of sin is Pearl. These characters have a powerful message behind each of them that is significant.