“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles” (Christopher Reeve). In the book, The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester, an average woman, overcomes many barriers and therefore becomes the definition of a hero. Hester commits the sin of adultery in a Puritan society, but still keeps a positive attitude toward life. Although Hester sins in the beginning of the novel, her character embodies the qualities of a hero, she maintains dignity in a society that judges her, she treats others kindly, and society eventually benefits from her actions. Hester does not try and avoid people in her community just because they judge her as a sinner, but rather she mingles
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The society learns to respect and admire Hester the sinner. Through constantly helping people she gradually moves others and changes their opinions towards her. The townspeople would even note, ‘“Do you see the woman with the embroidered badge?”... “It is our Hester...who is so kind to the poor, so helpful to the sick, so comforting to the afflicted!”’ (Hawthorne 153). This shows that the townspeople are no longer embarrassed by her, but appreciate her. The “A” that Hester wears also no longer holds the same meaning. What used to represent a sin now represents a positive. As the book states, the letter ‘“A” is seen as “able”’ (Hawthorne 152). It can be seen that the “A” that originally stands for “adultery”, is now seen as standing for “able”. When Hester comes back to the town after being gone for years she still wears the scarlet letter. Hester is so inspiring to the members of the town, that they seek her out to tell her about their sins, because they know she will have compassion. It is obvious the big role that Hester plays in changing other’s constrained thoughts in this extremely religious society. Hester serves as a heroic role model of strength and hope that encourages them to change their consequences for those who sin.
Though Hester has committed adultery at the beginning of the book, later her behavior exemplify the traits of a hero. Hester is heroic because she remains dignified in her daily life, her delicate knitting and kindness benefits the whole town, and she inspires the Puritan society to progress by adjusting their views about those who sin. Heros are not always the people who are perfect, often heroes are born out of
The society learns to respect and admire Hester the sinner. Through constantly helping people she gradually moves others and changes their opinions towards her. The townspeople would even note, ‘“Do you see the woman with the embroidered badge?”... “It is our Hester...who is so kind to the poor, so helpful to the sick, so comforting to the afflicted!”’ (Hawthorne 153). This shows that the townspeople are no longer embarrassed by her, but appreciate her. The “A” that Hester wears also no longer holds the same meaning. What used to represent a sin now represents a positive. As the book states, the letter ‘“A” is seen as “able”’ (Hawthorne 152). It can be seen that the “A” that originally stands for “adultery”, is now seen as standing for “able”. When Hester comes back to the town after being gone for years she still wears the scarlet letter. Hester is so inspiring to the members of the town, that they seek her out to tell her about their sins, because they know she will have compassion. It is obvious the big role that Hester plays in changing other’s constrained thoughts in this extremely religious society. Hester serves as a heroic role model of strength and hope that encourages them to change their consequences for those who sin.
Though Hester has committed adultery at the beginning of the book, later her behavior exemplify the traits of a hero. Hester is heroic because she remains dignified in her daily life, her delicate knitting and kindness benefits the whole town, and she inspires the Puritan society to progress by adjusting their views about those who sin. Heros are not always the people who are perfect, often heroes are born out of