Prompt Title: American Literature Essay (Evidence/Commentary Format

I am a highschool student enrolled in the class “Honors American Literature”, so for the following prompt, respond and write in a tone that is formal but not incredibly advanced, as a highschool student is only so knowledgeable. Listen very, very carefully, as every detail I will mention is crucial in your response. Also take your time, I dont want there to be any mistakes or forgotten details. I will ask you to write me an essay. To train you for this essay, I will provide you with specific details on the structure/format of it. This structure is incredibly important to follow. It goes as follows: It starts with an introductory paragraph [a single sentenced hook (some phrase or quote or intriguing detail to catch the reader's attention), 2-3 sentences summarizing the novel, finishing with a single sentenced thesis (a claim, answering the prompt, along with a short list of ways to back up the claim. for example: "America is no longer a “city on a hill” due to its demonstrations as a flawed democracy and its corrupt economy.")], followed by 2 analysis body paragraphs [each body paragraph should be structured exactly as follows: a sub-thesis (one sentence restating more in depth one of the ways the main thesis is backed up), a concrete detail (a quote from the book that supports and appropriately relates back to the sub-thesis + a “lead-in” which is essentially a prepositional phrase stating the context from the novel leading up to that quote. For example: ‘As Dimmesdale is yet to have publicly admit to his sin of adultry, Hawthorne describes how his inner turmoil leads him to revert to the old and corrupted faith of Rome, saying, "His inward trouble drove him to practices more in accordance with the old, corrupted faith of Rome than with the better light of the Church in which he had been born and bred” (Hawthorne 141).’), commentary (3-4 sentences of simple narration explaining how the concrete detail is important in backing up the thesis. As an example, here’s some commentary from the same example as before: ‘The fact that Dimmesdale's inner turmoil drives him to revert to a faith that he does not fully embrace highlights the extent of his psychological distress caused by his misdeed. Hawthorne's use of the phrase "inward trouble" suggests that Dimmesdale's guilt and shame are consuming him to the point where he is no longer able to act in accordance with his own beliefs and values. This quote also emphasizes the idea that guilt and shame can drive individuals to engage in self-destructive behaviors, such as reverting to an old, corrupted faith that they do not truly believe in.’), another concrete detail, 3-4 more sentences of commentary to support that detail, then a conclusion for that paragraph (this conclusion should be simple in that it is just to restate the sub-thesis but in different words than used before).] Before giving you the prompt + directions for the essay, I will give you a sample essay with the desired structure to further reinforce your understanding of the necessary components to format my essay: [The sin of adultery is not just a crime against society, but a crime against an individual's own sense of self. This theme is shown as the central aspect of the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, which explores the consequences of sin and the complexities of human nature. "The Scarlet Letter" is a novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne that tells the story of Hester Prynne, a woman who commits adultery in the Puritan community of Boston. She is publicly shamed and forced to wear a scarlet letter "A" on her clothes as a symbol of her sin. The novel explores the themes of sin, guilt, and redemption as Hester struggles to rebuild her life and raise her daughter, Pearl. The story is also told from the perspective of Arthur Dimmesdale, the town's minister, who is secretly the father of Pearl and is tormented by his own guilt. The novel is a powerful exploration of the human condition and the consequences of sin. By exploring The Scarlet Letter in depth, it can be seen that Nathaniel Hawthorne uses both symbolism and conflict to convey that committing a sin results in shame and guilt within oneself. First, Hawthorne uses the scarlet letter as a symbol of Hester's adultery to highlight the way that a life of remorse will come to one who acts immorally. While Hester is on the scaffold being humiliated by the outraged people of the town, the author describes the recently appearing scarlet letter on Hester’s breast as "so artistically done, and with so much fertility and gorgeous luxuriance of fancy, that it had all the effect of a last and fitting decoration to the apparel which she wore, and which was of a splendor in accordance with the taste of the age, but greatly beyond what was allowed by the sumptuary regulations of the colony" (Hawthorne 51) This quote describes the way that Hester's scarlet letter, which represents her sin of adultery, is artistically designed and elaborately decorated. It proves that despite its beauty, the letter is still a symbol of her sin, and it is prominently displayed on her clothing for all to see. This quote suggests that Hester is both ashamed and guilty of her sin, as she is forced to carry this symbol of her wrongdoing with her wherever she goes. Furthermore, the fact that the scarlet letter is so striking that “It was whispered, by those who peered after her, that the scarlet letter threw a lurid gleam along the dark passage-way of the interior” (Hawthorne 67) suggests that Hester's sin is something that cannot be hidden or ignored, and that it is a constant source of humiliation and remorse for her. This detail highlights the power of the scarlet letter as a symbol of Hester's sin. It cannot be hidden or ignored, and its presence is a constant reminder of her wrongdoing. More than that, the scarlet letter is also a symbol of the strict Puritan society in which she lives. It represents the judgment and condemnation that Hester faces from the community, as well as the harsh and unforgiving nature of the Puritan religion. In addition, while Hester is in a moral wilderness roaming freely in the untamed forest, she reflects on her shameful experiences have made her strong, but also taught her to be wary of making mistakes: "The scarlet letter was her passport into regions where other women dared not tread. Shame, Despair, Solitude! These had been her teachers,—stern and wild ones,—and they had made her strong, but taught her much amiss." (Hawthorne 169). While the consequences of Hester's sin have been apparent throughout the novel, it is in this quote where Hawthorne captures the true emotional impact of her public shame. Hester's scarlet letter serves as a constant reminder of her sin and acts as a barrier that separates her from the rest of society. Hester's isolation has taught her valuable lessons, but at the cost of her mental and emotional well-being. The scarlet letter's powerful symbolism illustrates that sin leads to shame and guilt, and these emotions can have lasting effects on an individual. In addition to symbolism, Hawthorne shows how immoral wrongdoing can cause immense guilt and shame for one to live with through the inner conflict of Dimmesdale. First, as Dimmesdale is yet to have publicly admit to his sin of adultry, Hawthorne describes how his inner turmoil leads him to revert to the old and corrupted faith of Rome, saying, "His inward trouble drove him to practices more in accordance with the old, corrupted faith of Rome than with the better light of the Church in which he had been born and bred” (Hawthorne 141). The fact that Dimmesdale's inner turmoil drives him to revert to a faith that he does not fully embrace highlights the extent of his psychological distress caused by his misdeed. Hawthorne's use of the phrase "inward trouble" suggests that Dimmesdale's guilt and shame are consuming him to the point where he is no longer able to act in accordance with his own beliefs and values. This quote also emphasizes the idea that guilt and shame can drive individuals to engage in self-destructive behaviors, such as reverting to an old, corrupted faith that they do not truly believe in. Moreover, after dimmesdale had just finished delivering a sermon, he appears to have been more fervent than usual: “"The minister well knew—subtle, but remorseful hypocrite that he was!—the light in which his vague confession would be viewed” (Hawthorne 141). Dimmesdale's conflicted nature is shown through his inability to confess his sin openly and honestly, despite his desire to do so. The phrase "the light in which his vague confession would be viewed" suggests that Dimmesdale is acutely aware of the judgment and condemnation that would come from admitting to his sin. This fear of public shame and humiliation, along with his private guilt and remorse, drive him to increasingly desperate measures in an attempt to atone for his wrongdoing. Lastly, in Chapter 20, Hawthorne describes the transformation that has taken place in Dimmesdale, saying, "The minister's own will, and Hester's will, and the fate that grew between them, had wrought this transformation” (Hawthorne 212). By attributing Dimmesdale's transformation to his own will, as well as Hester's will and fate, Hawthorne suggests that Dimmesdale's guilt and shame over his adultery has driven him to change. The fact that Hester's will is included in this transformation highlights the power that she holds over Dimmesdale, as well as the impact that her own guilt and shame have had on her life. The mention of fate suggests that their shared suffering is inevitable and that they are destined to face the consequences of their actions.] Did this further help your understanding of my desired formatting for the upcoming essay?