Critics have commented that Hawthorne's narrator seems to adopt an opinion that characters must repent for and atone for what they have done. At other times, the narrator seems to adopt the opinion that Dimmesdale's and Hester's actions are understandable given the circumstances, and that love such as theirs represents something truly sacred. Where does the narrator stand, or is he of two minds? Where do you stand on the issue? be of two minds. Where do you stand on the issue?

It is my opinion that the author represents the incongruency of every human choice. From a broad perspective, it is easy to judge and point out what is bad, but when taking into account more facts, like emotions and situations it is easy to see reason in the actions even though they can contradict the principles of the narrator. I think that Dimmesdale's and Hester's represent this duality in everyone's mind, not only the author's. My stance is that we can have two minds in different circumstances but we have to try and treat people as justly as possible.