A life defined by a single moment in Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, Stephen Crane's The Red Badge of Courage, and Dostoevsky's Crime and PunishmentLife can be changed by a decision made in a single moment. Despite a person's natural qualities of courage or intelligence, a single mistake can isolate them from the rest of society. In one case this may be caused by public conception. The audience believes that this person is morally inferior and mocks him to ridicule him. However, it can also be self-imposed isolation. In any case, that person cannot rejoin his society until he has redeemed himself. In Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, both types of moral isolation are examined. Hester Prynne is the object of public scorn for her adulterous act. The scarlet "A" she is forced to wear as penance ensures that no one, especially Hester herself, will forget what she has done. Through the public's condemnation of her act, Hester ultimately finds her salvation and frees herself from guilt. He becomes a stronger person thanks to this new understanding and gains the community's respect for his charity. Dimmesdale, on the other hand, doesn't publicly address his sin until... middle of paper... no matter how smart or "extraordinary", he can go his entire life without making a bad decision. In order for them to morally return to the other members of their society, their redemption must contain certain factors. First, the confession need not be public unless the offender believes it is a requirement for forgiveness. Then the person must believe that the redemptive act is equal to the mistake and that he is freed from guilt. After forgiving himself, he is no longer morally isolated and returns to society, regardless of whether society has forgiven him or not.