The Scarlet Letter and Impotence and Omnipotence

Reading "The Scarlet Letter" I did not realize that impotence was such a main theme of the story. Johnson shows very clearly that throughout the story and even the narrator shows signs of impotence. It could be physical in the case of Chillingworth or just morally in the case of Dimmsdale. Johnson also points out that Hester's act of adultary was important in regards to history because at that time many young women were married to older men and it was not unusual to find marraiges like this to breakup. What if Hester had pointed out earlier that Chillingworth was her husband? Maybe the towns people would somewhat sympathize and understand her situation. Hester would not have been as ashamed and guilty.