II INTERNAL ASSESSMENT

SUBJECT – HISTORY
NAME – SANKET MUDAKANNAVAR
YEAR – I
SEMESTER- II
COURSE – B.A. LL.B. (HONS.)
DIVISION - E
BATCH – 2022-27
PRN – 22010125468.

1
 TITLE : Exploring the Complexities of Crime and Punishment: A Comparative Study of
Hester Prynne, Reverend Dimmesdale, Raskolnikov, and Billy Budd

Introduction:

The theme of crime and punishment is one of the most explored themes in literature, and it is
often portrayed through complex characters who commit crimes and face the consequences of
their actions. In this comparative study, we will examine the major characters of Hester Prynne
and Reverend Dimmesdale from The Scarlet Letter, Raskolnikov from Crime and Punishment,
and Billy Budd from Billy Budd, with a focus on their character traits, circumstances,
motivations for committing the crime, and the punishment they receive. By exploring these
characters in detail, we can gain a deeper understanding of the theme of crime and punishment as
portrayed in these literary works.

Hester Prynne: Hester Prynne is the protagonist of The Scarlet Letter, and she is punished for
committing adultery with the town’s minister, Reverend Dimmesdale. Hester is forced to wear a
scarlet letter “A” on her chest as a symbol of her sin, and she is shamed and ostracized by the
townspeople. Despite this, Hester remains resilient and refuses to reveal the identity of her lover,
even when faced with pressure from the community. Her motivation for committing the crime is
her love for Reverend Dimmesdale, who is the father of her child. Hester is a strong and
independent character, who is not afraid to face the consequences of her actions.

Reverend Dimmesdale: Reverend Dimmesdale is the town’s minister in The Scarlet Letter, and
he is punished for committing adultery with Hester Prynne. Unlike Hester, he keeps his guilt a
secret and suffers in silence. He is tormented by his guilt and eventually confesses his sin before
dying. Dimmesdale is motivated by his desire to maintain his public reputation as a respected
member of the community, and his punishment is his own internal struggle and eventual death.

2
 Dimmesdale is a conflicted character, torn between his duty to the church and his love for
Hester.

Raskolnikov: Raskolnikov is the protagonist of Crime and Punishment, and he is punished for
committing murder. He kills an old pawnbroker and her sister, believing that he is above the law
and can commit a crime for the greater good. His motivation for committing the crime is his
belief in the idea of “extraordinary men” who are allowed to break the law for the benefit of
society. However, he is consumed by guilt and fear, leading to his eventual confession and
imprisonment. His punishment is both his guilt and a prison sentence. Raskolnikov is a complex
and flawed character, driven by his own sense of superiority and desire for power.

Billy Budd: Billy Budd is a young sailor on a British warship who accidentally kills the ship’s
master-at-arms, John Claggart. Billy is a beloved member of the crew, known for his innocence
and purity. His motivation for committing the crime is his desire to defend his own honor and the
honor of the ship. Despite Captain Vere’s attempts to save him, Billy is sentenced to death by
hanging, as the law demands. His punishment is death. Billy is a simple and honest character,
who is unable to comprehend the complexities of the law and the consequences of his actions.

Comparative Analysis:

The four characters discussed in this comparative study are all complex and flawed, and their
motivations for committing crimes are varied. Hester Prynne and Reverend Dimmes, Hester
Prynne and Reverend Dimmesdale committed adultery, while Raskolnikov committed murder,
and Billy Budd killed in self-defense. However, all of them face severe punishment for their
actions, whether it be public shaming, imprisonment, or death.

In terms of character, Hester Prynne and Billy Budd are portrayed as innocent and pure
characters, while Reverend Dimmesdale and Raskolnikov are more complex and flawed. Hester
and Billy are motivated by their desire to defend their own honor and the honor of those they

3
 love. In contrast, Reverend Dimmesdale and Raskolnikov are motivated by their own desires and
beliefs, leading to their downfall.

Additionally, the circumstances surrounding each character’s crime vary. Hester Prynne and
Reverend Dimmesdale are punished by the puritanical society in which they live, which places a
high value on public morality and virtue. Raskolnikov, on the other hand, commits his crime in a
society that is struggling with poverty and social inequality, leading him to believe that he can
act for the greater good. Finally, Billy Budd is punished by the strict laws of the British navy,
which leave no room for mercy or leniency.

In terms of punishment, all of the characters face severe consequences for their actions. Hester
Prynne is publicly shamed and ostracized by the townspeople, while Reverend Dimmesdale
suffers in silence and eventually dies. Raskolnikov faces both internal torment and a prison
sentence, while Billy Budd is sentenced to death by hanging.

In addition to the aforementioned factors, it is important to note that the cultural and societal
contexts in which these characters exist also play a significant role in their actions and
punishments. For example, Hester Prynne’s public shaming and ostracization in The Scarlet
Letter is a result of the strict puritanical beliefs of the society in which she lives. Similarly,
Raskolnikov’s actions in Crime and Punishment are influenced by the social and economic
conditions of 19th century Russia, where poverty and inequality were rampant. These societal
influences add a layer of complexity to the characters’ actions and punishments, highlighting the
interplay between individual agency and societal norms.

Furthermore, the way in which the characters respond to their punishments is also significant.
Hester Prynne remains strong and resilient despite her public humiliation, and even finds a sense
of community and purpose in her role as a social outcast. Reverend Dimmesdale, on the other
hand, is consumed by guilt and ultimately dies as a result of his inability to reconcile his actions
with his religious beliefs. Raskolnikov undergoes a transformative experience during his

4
 imprisonment, ultimately finding redemption and a renewed sense of purpose. Billy Budd
accepts his punishment with stoic resignation, highlighting the harshness and unforgiving nature
of the military justice system.

Overall, the characters of Hester Prynne, Reverend Dimmesdale, Raskolnikov, and Billy Budd
represent a range of experiences and responses to the theme of crime and punishment in
literature. Their complexities and contradictions offer insight into the ways in which individuals
and societies grapple with issues of morality, justice, and punishment.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the characters of Hester Prynne, Reverend Dimmesdale, Raskolnikov, and Billy
Budd all represent different facets of the theme of crime and punishment in literature. Through
their character traits, circumstances, motivations, and punishments, we can gain a deeper
understanding of how crime and punishment are portrayed in different literary works. By
examining these characters in detail, we can see how the theme of crime and punishment is an
enduring and complex one that is explored in various ways in literature.

5
6