Irony in the Scarlet Letter

What if banter didnt exist? If it didnt, even at a minimal level, The Scarlet Letter wouldnt be able to function in its complete and published form. Its frame and substructure of distinctly morose themes scrutinizing sin, knowledge, and the benignant condition would not exist with extinct irony blistering beneath the surface. The symbolism and evocativeness of character names, for instance, the words chill and worthless can be derived from Roger Chillingworth, the Black Man in human disguise wouldnt adjudge the same clever power without the literary technique.Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter suggests that to find the true smell of each character, irony is essential, and mustiness be employed and needled into the plot for the pages to turn with a weightier significance. Shes the embodiment of wooden-headed contradictions bad and beautiful, holy and sinful, conventional and radical, described Andrea Seabrook of NPR (National Public Radio).In order to see the veracity of t his statement, the reviewer must note Hawthornes hold in three major(ip) types of irony. The first type is situational irony, which is when the black eye of what is expected to happen, happens, and this is introduced in the first few chapters. For pillowcase, in Chapter II, the townspeople have perpetrated against Hester Prynne, exclaiming that she should feel penitent as she stands on the scaffold bearing the scarlet letter A on her bosom.Yet, she stands there with a marked dignity and force of character and clasping her newborn child Pearl with a burning blush, and to that degree a haughty smile, and glance that would not be abashed (Hawthorne 46) The intrinsic nature and indispensable caliber of Hesters character is perpetually fevered with strength, except it is most formidable and determined harbored by a backbone of obstinacy when she is standing on the scaffold.The townspeople have expected her to feel contrite, but if Hester stood unveil her remorse and penitence, sh e would be acknowledging societys power and control over her, and that essentially, is not what Hester wants. Another example is from Chapter XI, Dimmesdale is held in reverence by the townspeople as an immaculate role model deeming the young reverend a miracle of holiness (124) when in fact he has committed an immoral act, being Hesters doxy and Pearls secret father. Situational irony has served to be a steppingstone to the actual identity of Hester Prynne, Dimmesdale, and other major characters.It helps in showing the real thoughts and internal conflicts of a character in contrast with what is discerned by the society. The adjoining type of irony Hawthorne used in The Scarlet Letter is dramatic irony, which is when the reader knows what the characters do not. harmonize to Mark Flanagan of About. com, Dramatic irony is when the words and actions of the characters of a work of literature have a several(predicate) meaning for the reader than they do for the characters. This is the result of the reader having a bullyer knowledge than the characters themselves. For instance, in Chapter VIII, empyreal John Wilson, Bostons senior clergyman, sat on an arm-chair and surveyed Pearls weirdly cobwebby qualities, then proceeded to ask Pearl if she knew who her parents were, as stated in this quote, Pearl, said he, with great solemnity, thou must take heed to instruction, that so, in due season, thou mayest wear in thy bosom the pearl of great price. Canst thou tell me, my child, who made thee? (96) This event developed subsequent to Hesters visit in governor Bellinghams garden.There, she privately requested Reverend Dimmesdales aid in supporting that the governor does not take Pearl away. This is an example of dramatic irony because the reader knows that Dimmesdale and Hester are partners in sin, but the characters do not. Dramatic irony benefits the reader in that it satisfies their anticipation because of what they already know and they possess a great idea of what is to happen next. Hawthornes use of this type of irony really generated a thrust of indigence to keep the reader more interested. The concluding stamp of irony Hawthorne enchanted into the novel is verbal irony.This literary device is manipulated to communicate differently, and principally the irreconcilable contrast of the literal meaning of the words, to emphasize, or make lightness of a circumstance or subject. A time that this occurs is from Chapter IV, when Chillingworth visited Hester at her prison cell, disguised as a doctor, and advised her to, Think not that I shall interfere with Heavens own method of retribution. (66) Here, Chillingworth insinuated that he would grant the right to God and Heaven to handle all retribution, yet he still sets out to njure and damage Dimmesdale himself. This is an example of verbal irony in that Chillingworth lied that he wont happen upon any harm or take vengeance on the adulterer, but in due course, it is shown that Chillingworth is steady destroying Dimmesdale as both he and especially Dimmesdale is growing weaker and more dismal. Verbal irony might be the more common of this literary technique, as it is used in todays daily language. In the novel, is it used to give more support to the readers thoughts on what is already happening, and it helps to formulate better insightful ideas.The novel is brimmed with well-constructed ideas of sin, hypocrisy, and loves sweet disposition to sacrifice for anothers wellness, but behind the curtains of collectivism and Puritans unsmiling society is a personality that stands brighter than portrayed, and Hawthornes use of irony has carried that eager light out. His wonderful use of irony in the novel formulated a stronger, more meaningful substance to the story, clearly revealing each characters internal and remote conflicts.Nathaniel Hawthorne is the master of irony, splendidly using it to intensify the meaning of his marvelous literature. His substantial use of irony in The Scarlet Letter has become such a necessity that the pages could not turn seamlessly as it does without a real genius such as the virtuosic author. After learning the three types of irony Hawthorne utilized, the reader leave alone be able to absorb the hearts and minds of the characters, the greater essence, and soul of the story, and will read on with increase and newer fervent thoughts and keener insight.