patriarchal society. Hester Prynne, the Puritan adulteress shamed for her crime in Nathaniel
Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter”, primely exemplifies this definition. Throughout the course of the allegorical work, Hester is able to overcome the ignominy brought upon her, support a child on her own, and make a living, despite being known as the town’s adulteress. For these reasons, the Hester
Prynne stood as the strongest feminist of her time, and perhaps even of today.
During and after her public shaming on her town’s scaffold, Hester became known as nothing less
Page 7 of 12 than an adulteress, forced to wear a scarlet “A” to identify her as such. Despite such ignominy,
Hester held fast a stoic face, capable of handling any odds sent her way.
Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter”, primely exemplifies this definition. Throughout the course of the allegorical work, Hester is able to overcome the ignominy brought upon her, support a child on her own, and make a living, despite being known as the town’s adulteress. For these reasons, the Hester
Prynne stood as the strongest feminist of her time, and perhaps even of today.
During and after her public shaming on her town’s scaffold, Hester became known as nothing less
Page 7 of 12 than an adulteress, forced to wear a scarlet “A” to identify her as such. Despite such ignominy,
Hester held fast a stoic face, capable of handling any odds sent her way.