Hester Prynne Change In Scarlet Letter
In the novel the Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester Prynne was a woman who was forced to wear a letter “A” because of the sin that she had committed with Arthur Dimmesdale. This letter throughout the novel opened up to different interpretations, and its meaning readily changed. First, it symbolized adultery, for she had committed an immoral act by having an affair with the pastor, Arthur Dimmesdale. Second, the letter could be viewed as a symbol of ability, because Hester was such a strong woman who put others in front of herself. Third, it could be interpreted as alienation since she and her daughter Pearl were ostracized by other families for her wrongdoings. Lastly, the letter could be seen as a symbol of amor because Hester was in an unhealthy relationship with her husband Chillingworth and her affair with Dimmesdale was a sign of true love. Ultimately, the scarlet letter represented ability because Hester went against the public opinion in the Puritan society yet was still to accept these verbal attacks and build a stable life with Pearl through her hard work that gained respect over time. Initially, Hester was insulted by many women for not accepting a harsher punishment and keeping her lover a secret. “At the very least, they should have put the brand of a hot iron on Hester Prynne’s forehead,” (5). With only having to wear the scarlet letter, Hester decided to embellish it and proudly display it upon her breast. “It had the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity and enclosing her in a sphere by herself,” (7). Hester went against what the public believed and accepted her sin with a whole heart. She did not try to hide anything, and knew that she would still be able to work hard. Hester showed feminist values by not allowing the men to subjugate her with the punishment of wearing the letter. She showed “ability” by wearing her sin with pride and realizing that acceptance was the only way that the community would