American literature often focuses on the wrongs of human existence. Many of America's greatest literary works were written during the Romantic period (1820-1900). A novel considered a classic written during the Romantic period is The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The Scarlet Letter is an excellent example of the harshness of sin. The novel The Scarlet Letter demonstrates the theme that deception and secrecy can be destructive through Hester Prynne, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth. First, Hester's deception and secrecy lead to a destructive mark. Hester's involvement with a man who was not her husband made her a symbol of women's fragility and sinful passion. Hester's mark is: “On the breast of her dress, of fine red cloth, surrounded by elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread, was the letter A . (50) His creativity in making a symbol of sin attractive was not sanctioned by the sinister Puritans. Hester decides to stay where her sin was committed, distancing her from Puritan society, making her even more of a stranger than she already was. Lonely as Hester's situation was, and without a friend on earth who dared to show himself, she was nevertheless in no danger of poverty. » (75) Hester was alone with Pearl to share her life. Hester had immediately lost her beauty as a result of her sin. “Even his attractiveness had undergone a similar change.” (150) Hester's decision to hide the fact that Chillingworth is her husband leads him to torture Dimmesdale. “Your hold is on his life, and you make him die a living death daily; and yet he does not know you. (156)Next, Dimmesdale's concealment of his guilt causes him to deceive others and himself...... middle of paper...... by developing, for seven years, the constant analysis of 'a heart full of torture, and deriving its enjoyment, and adding fuel to these fiery tortures which he analyzed and in which he rejoiced. (155-56) His strength and energy draining from him after Dimmesdale's death, Chillingworth "permanently withered, shriveled, and almost disappeared from mortal sight." (236) The theme that deception and secrecy can be destructive was demonstrated by Hester Prynne, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth in The Scarlet Letter. Hester Prynne's secret in not telling Dimmesdale that Chillingworth was her husband caused her to torture Dimmesdale until he died. Dimmesdale errs in not recounting his sin and sacrificing his daughter, Pearl, and his love for Hester transforms his scholarly nature into a devil. Overall, be true to yourself..