The definition of struggle is: making energetic or violent efforts to free oneself from restrictions or constraints. All people go through hardships in their lives at some point, regardless of wealth, religion or ethnicity. What truly defines how benevolent one is is how they respond to the adversities they face. For example, the death of a loved one, betrayal of a spouse, a sinful act, or perhaps undeserved humiliation are applicable. In The Scarlet Letter three characters face a desperate struggle, each commits a different sin, and each character handles their unique struggle differently. In The Scarlet Letter, author Nathaniel Hawthorne sends his readers a message: how to deal with the sin within oneself; shows us three ways to handle our sins with the use of three characters (Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmsdale, and Roger Chillingworth.) Hester Prynne represents the sin of adultery, but she also represents redemption because of the way she responds to her delinquencies . Arthur Dimmsdale is the second character that Hawthorne uses to represent sin, and Dimmsdale is the symbol of lust; he also uses Dimmsdale as a symbol of hidden sin. Finally, the sin of anger is represented by the embodiment of the evil devil, Dr. Roger Chillingworth. Hester is the only character who openly addresses her sin to God and the community. She is the most dynamic character in the book. It represents not only adultery but also forgiveness of sins and hope for those who still need to find enlightenment. “At last, in place of these changing scenes, the rude market of the Puritan settlement returned. With all the assembled townspeople bidding their stern farewells to Hester... middle of paper... and when she dies so does Chillingworth because without Dimmsdale to punish, Chillingworth has no purpose. In The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne uses Hester, Dimmsdale, and the Leech to send a message to his reader; sin will happen in life, it is how the sinner repents and redeems himself that defines who he is. With Hester, Dimmsdale, and The Leech Hawthorne demonstrates that there are three ways to respond to adversity: accept it and make the best of circumstances, shy away from it and let it eat away at your soul, and finally pursue sin further and let it corrupt and insult who you are . Life is full of adversity, difficulty and destruction. When things get tough it becomes easy to cut corners and take the easy route. However, if you pursue forgiveness, hypocrisy, and are uncorrupted despite the abhorrent environment, life will eventually become easier..