How Does Hester Change Throughout The Scarlet Letter
The character of Hester over the course of the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne changes significantly. Hester changes from a young beautiful woman who is shamed by society to a strong individual who learns to endure pain caused by the townspeople. In the beginning of the novel, Hester is recognized as a sinner who has gone against the Puritan ways by committing adultery but over time her life improves. Even though she was scorned for her sin, she never tried to hide herself and in effect became stronger throughout the course of her punishment. Hester’s scandalous nature is evidence of her being a transcendentalist because she is independent and thrives in nature.
Throughout the novel, The Scarlet Letter, Hester switches between a beautiful young women to being repulsive. In the first scaffold, Hester is physically …show more content…
When Hester was publicly punished for her sin, she was to bear the token of shame, the letter A. Even through her humiliation, she stood high, “he laid his right upon the shoulder of a young woman, whom he thus drew forward; until, on the threshold of the prison-door, she repelled him, by an action marked with natural dignity and force of character, and stepped into the open air, as if by her own free will” (Hawthorne 61). she act as if nothing is wrong as she has chosen to appear before the people, rather than taking it as punishment. Instead of conforming to the rules and regulation of society she embraces her independent self by breaking the law. As Thoreau writes, “...break the law. Let your life be a counter friction to stop the machine” (“Civil Disobedience” 192). By breaking societal norms Hester has freed herself. Hester’s rebellion changed her life, but also empowered the townspeople. Hester’s rebellion represents a woman’s strength, and the letter that was meant to be a symbol of adultery teaches her to be
Throughout the novel, The Scarlet Letter, Hester switches between a beautiful young women to being repulsive. In the first scaffold, Hester is physically …show more content…
When Hester was publicly punished for her sin, she was to bear the token of shame, the letter A. Even through her humiliation, she stood high, “he laid his right upon the shoulder of a young woman, whom he thus drew forward; until, on the threshold of the prison-door, she repelled him, by an action marked with natural dignity and force of character, and stepped into the open air, as if by her own free will” (Hawthorne 61). she act as if nothing is wrong as she has chosen to appear before the people, rather than taking it as punishment. Instead of conforming to the rules and regulation of society she embraces her independent self by breaking the law. As Thoreau writes, “...break the law. Let your life be a counter friction to stop the machine” (“Civil Disobedience” 192). By breaking societal norms Hester has freed herself. Hester’s rebellion changed her life, but also empowered the townspeople. Hester’s rebellion represents a woman’s strength, and the letter that was meant to be a symbol of adultery teaches her to be