Characterization Of Hester Prynne

Thought to be the scandalous sinner in the Puritanical town of Boston and the disgraceful mother of a child out of wedlock, Hester Prynne is portrayed to be a shameful mistress in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. In a town where everyone acts as if they are saints, as soon as one citizen slips up and commits a human error, that event becomes the talk of the town. In Prynne’s case, her heinous act left her with the undeniable punishment of a child that prevents her from dismissing of her sin committed several years prior. Mistress Prynne is the prime representation of adultery to the public eye. As any judgmental, religious society would, the townspeople frown upon her past and order that she wear a scarlet cloth upon her breasts to …show more content…
The loud, striking letter upon her bosom showcases Prynne’s sinful deed to the public. Due to this, Prynne is aware of the shame that she must carry with her at all times when walking through the streets of her town. Not only does she withstand the judgmental glares from her neighbors, but Prynne also endures judgment from the children of Boston. As she keeps to herself in her private residence, Prynne encounters unwanted visits from children as they peek into her cottage and scamper off in fear upon glimpsing at the letter on her bosom (72). Children too young to understand the severity of the act that Prynne has committed are influenced by their parents’ comments and choose to assume the worst in Prynne although she has done no wrong against them. Prynne is aware of this harsh judgment but is left to do nothing for she feels it is what she deserves. She decides to take such unjust actions upon herself and lives with it. Furthermore, Hester Prynne is questioned once again by the clergymen of her town. At this meeting, Prynne is consistent with her allegiance to her lover, so the Governor decides to question her capabilities as the mother of her child, Pearl. He insists that Prynne is insufficient as a guardian. Prynne makes her strength known as she testifies, “‘God gave me the child!... She is my happiness!-- she is my torture, none the less!... Ye shall not take her! …show more content…
Through all adversities, Hester Prynne displays her true character as she never showed bitterness even when in tempting situations. Ultimately, Hester Prynne is an allegiant, adaptable, and altruistic character throughout the novel. Her dynamic, beautifully self-less character serves as a reminder that rumors and reputations are never all that there is to a