A sinful act has numerous ramifications that gravely affect the sinner and his lifestyle. Nathaniel Hawthorne explores these effects throughout his novel, The Scarlet Letter. The character of Hester Prynne is found guilty of adultery and is sentenced to live her life constantly confronted by her sin because of the embroidered letter "A" on her chest. Through the use of diction and complex syntax, Hawthorne depicts how sin can keep an individual isolated from the rest of civilization.

Hawthorne utilizes dramatic word choice and compound-complex sentences to illustrate clearly how Hester is forever set apart due to her sin. One of the author's greatest strengths is his superb use of words to emphasize his point. What assuredly strikes the reader at the very beginning of this passage is Hawthorne's deliberate use of the word "intercourse." While here it is used to discuss Hester's interplay with society, the obvious...