Research Paper Sample: The Concepts of Sin

📌Category: Behavior, Psychology
📌Words: 716
📌Pages: 3
📌Published: 29 January 2022

Sin is a complicated topic. To some, it may revolve strictly around religion, but to others, it may not. The perception and concept of sins vary from person to person. Through the knowledge and insights from The Scarlet Letter, New York Times: “Sexism and the Single Murderess,” and the TED Talk by Shaka Senghor: “Why Your Worst Deeds Don’t Define You," sin can best be defined as the mental guilt one feels after performing or committing a wrong deed.  

Hawthorne’s, The Scarlet Letter, takes readers through the life of Hester Prynne and how she was punished for a, supposed, treacherous sin. She is forced to openly display a ruby red “A” across her chest to symbolize her crime, adultery. Along with Hester, Hawthorne also describes the inner morals of Reverend Dimmesdale as he faces the inner guilt of a crime he committed. Dimmesdale was Hester’s partner, but more importantly, her pastor. Hester lives each day with her sins displayed on her chest, and, eventually, the people forgave her. But as Hester heals, Dimmesdale deteriorates inside. Hawthorne presents this idea when Dimmesdale exclaims, "’ Happy are you, Hester, that wear the scarlet letter openly upon your bosom! Mine burns in secret!’" (151). So Dimmesdale’s sin, although hidden, is affecting him in a much more negative manner, while Hester can live freely. Hawthorne further reveals this when Chillingsowrth describes Dimmesdale’s sin by exclaiming, “A bodily disease, which we look upon as whole and entire within itself, may, after all, be but a symptom of some ailment in the spiritual part” (108), which proves just how much it damages his mental mindset. 

Another author that demonstrates the same idea of sin being one’s mentality rather than physical action, is Frank Bruni in  “Sexism and the Single Murderess.” Bruni claims, “It wasn’t the crime itself. It was the supposed conspiracy of her libido, cast as proof that she was out of control, up to no good, lost, wicked, dangerous.” In summary, some of the people convicted of criminal actions were not judged based on the crime, but rather the mentality and behavior behind it. The claim is further developed in "Puritan Laws and Character, 1904." as Henry William Elson explores the Puritan concept of sin by stating “it’s impossible to wonder if shame drove them to suicide, and it’s impossible not to ask what sort of world allows the victims of such assaults to feel irredeemably branded - more eternally damned - than their accused assailants by their appearances do,” which compares with Shaka Senghor's TED Talk, "Why Your Worst Deeds Don't Define You" as he explores the concept of redemption, an option that was foreign to 1600s Puritans. The Puritans were traditional individuals who were strict to the words of the Bible, so any idea like this would be shamed upon. Hawthorne once again suggests that sins are horrible actions, and the more it is hidden, the more it will haunt and break down one's insides. Evidence can be shown when Dimmesdale “whipped himself, starved himself as an act of penance until his knees trembled beneath him” (96). 

Although sin may be summed up in terms of mentality, others may think of it as a crime that goes against God and the Bible. Jonathan Edwards explains in "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," how sin is any type of rebellion against God that may or may not send you straight to hell. He explains, “all you that were never born again, and made new creatures, and raised from being dead in sin, to a state of new, and before altogether unexperienced light and life, are in the hands of an angry God.” Everything you do is witnessed by God, and although this may be true, Henry William Elson portrays the idea that no matter what, people will sin, even with enforced regulations. He demonstrates this by explaining, “it dictated his dress, and even invaded the home circle and directed his family relations. Captain Kimble, returning home from a three years’ voyage, kissed his wife on his own doorsteps and spent 2 hours in the stocks.” This shows how even though there were strict rules prohibiting these certain actions, people are bound to sin. It is all about the mentality behind the sins committed. Kimble was shamed and then felt horrible inside all for a kiss. This thought to be horrible action caused a man to feel awful about himself, and then face time in prison as well. All of these statements correspond to the general idea that sin can be defined as the mental guilt one feels after performing or committing a wrong deed. 

+
x
Remember! This is just a sample.

You can order a custom paper by our expert writers

Order now
By clicking “Receive Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails.