Hester Prynne's Transformation

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter is an exploration into the protagonist, Hester Prynne. It further examines her intrinsic persona and how internal and external forces affect her and how it transforms the mindsets of those later. Very little is revealed about Hester previous to her affair. Released from prison, Hester appears before the puritan community on a platform where she is to be publicly scorned, exposing the scarlet “A” for adulterer is embroidered on the breast of her garment. Its design was far beyond the apparel guidelines of social rankings within the colony, “It had the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and inclosing her in a sphere by herself” (Hawthorne 480). Hawthorne’s illustrates Hester as, “The young woman was tall, with a figure of perfect elegance” and “a face which, besides being beautiful regularity of feature and richness of complexion” (480). Although the setting of the …show more content…
She is devoted mother, abandoned lover, estranged wife, religious rebel, feminist, and outsider. The Author’s main portrayal of her is that of a freethinker, one who opposes the orthodox conventions of the puritan society. Hester's life of seclusion shows her resolve to seek repentance for her sin. Through the merciless punishment of her infidelity, she emerges a stronger person, better able to handle life's distressing moments. Isolating herself and Pearl, she safeguards them from the ridicule of a moralistic and cruel society. Hester exemplifies rebellion as she continuously denies to reveal whom she had an affair, Pearl’s father. Her faithfulness and devotion to Dimmesdale (the Minister) is reflected in her determination to shield his identity. Self-sacrificing accepting her fate without apprehension, she has an unwavering love for him and requires no demands of him. Her modesty is not an indication of weakness but merely her acknowledgment of the