(Editor’s note: We’ve received a few letters from Green River High School students who have recently read “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The students have compared current events to themes found in the book.)
Dear Editor,
Suicide rates of all ages have continued to increase and show no signs of slowing down in this time. Even in the beginning of our nation, people suffering from guilt or shame from something they have done has affected them to harm themselves in hopes of relieving this feeling.
Although suicide rates of all age groups across the country are still growing, the number of reasons does not. An extreme feeling of guilt or shame or being shamed by other people leads to feeling lesser of yourself. Just as Minister Dimmesdale felt in “The Scarlet Letter,” his guilt from the relationship with Hester led him to whip and brand himself in hopes of ridding guilt. Just as many people do today, Dimmesdale didn’t feel better after the first time, so he began to do it more frequently until it was done everyday. These extreme measures on our bodies after repeating the same process can cause severe harm and usually death, similar to the minister.
In writing this I would hope that this helps people suffering from harming feel less alone and know that this is nothing new. Thank you for time and consideration.
Cherylann Moritz
Green River
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