the scarlet letter

What stuck me when I read this, and remains with me today,is that it is those who presume to punish sin who are the real sinners,Chillingworth"s life is one devoid of human feeling, devoid of any real joy as he lies in the stone cold bed of hatred and revenge. And to a lesser extent so it is with Dimmesdale who cannot forgive himself, who secretly flagellates himself so that his life becomes a hell on earth.On the other hand there is Hester who finds forgiveness and love with good works and in the jioy of her beautiful and precious Pea rl and in her unstinting love for Dimmesdale a nd her hope and faith that a better life.