“Is there no virtue in this woman,” exclaimed an old man in the crowd (Chapter 2). This unmoral lady being described is Hester Prynne; the woman who wears the scarlet letter across her bosom. Hester, being seen unfit for any means of moral standards, is persecuted and shunned by her town for bearing a baby of an unknown man. Although Hester is seen as ungodly towards the beginning, her transformation is profound upon the end. The metamorphosis of Hester Prynne started from a shameful, reckless woman who wears an “A” of ignominy, to a women with courage, kindness, and faithfulness who embraces the scarlet “A”.
Hester Prynne, emerging from a jailhouse, walked with a little child, and on her chest the scarlet “A”. Her appearance was the …show more content…
This analogy describes the character of Hester Prynne. The attitudes and views of shame, adultery, and the most venom of symbols, the scarlet “A”, are transformed to respect and “strength”. Even the town’s people, being subjective as they are, noted her transformation; several interpreting the scarlet letter as, “... that many people refused to interpret the scarlet A by its original signification. They said that it meant Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman's strength,” (Chapter 13). With all the infidelity tied upon Hester’s soul; Hester finds a way appease this monster (of which we call sin) and bring goodness to her name. Hester can begin to be seen as a foil of her past self. All of the most unadmirable traits of her and views are beginning to vanish, especially from the town’s people’s eyes. Hester’s new traits are being replaced with one of virtue and spirit. These traits are developed further when we approach the denouement. Old Hester lives in the same cottage and still bear the scarlet letter. However, now she symbolizes counsel and understanding for woman in need, as described, “ Women, more especially,--in the continually recurring trials of wounded, wasted, wronged, misplaced, or erring and sinful passion,--or with the dreary burden of a heart unyielded, because unvalued and unsought,--came to Hester's cottage, demanding why …show more content…
Despite her circumstances, she conformed to society standards and possibly developed new ones. It is often said, “If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.” Rather than ignore or condemn her society for being so cruel, Hester took it all in “grace”. She realized the seriousness of her actions and accepted the consequences. The habits Hester develops heronuto such as caring for Pearl, trying to please the clergymen with her tailoring, and noting her greater spiritual connection are all efforts of Hester conforming to her society standards. Hawthorne allows Hester to develop like a town hussy gone to a good girl, ultimately conveying one of his major themes about redemption of one’s soul. During this time, it was believed God was very judgemental, as noted by Reverend Wilson in the story with his fear driven sermons. However new ideas about religion and redemption were sweeping over this society, many believing that destiny was set by a person’s actions in this world. This idea is the forefront of Hester’s change. A single action can not carry out the rest of one’s fate and how they are viewed. Redemption is possible, as Hester did, and becoming a truly be a good person. This is the thematic message that Hawthorne tried to communicate throughout the story, the foil that we notice with pre and post Hester is quite remarkable. It serves as an example that
Hester Prynne, emerging from a jailhouse, walked with a little child, and on her chest the scarlet “A”. Her appearance was the …show more content…
This analogy describes the character of Hester Prynne. The attitudes and views of shame, adultery, and the most venom of symbols, the scarlet “A”, are transformed to respect and “strength”. Even the town’s people, being subjective as they are, noted her transformation; several interpreting the scarlet letter as, “... that many people refused to interpret the scarlet A by its original signification. They said that it meant Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman's strength,” (Chapter 13). With all the infidelity tied upon Hester’s soul; Hester finds a way appease this monster (of which we call sin) and bring goodness to her name. Hester can begin to be seen as a foil of her past self. All of the most unadmirable traits of her and views are beginning to vanish, especially from the town’s people’s eyes. Hester’s new traits are being replaced with one of virtue and spirit. These traits are developed further when we approach the denouement. Old Hester lives in the same cottage and still bear the scarlet letter. However, now she symbolizes counsel and understanding for woman in need, as described, “ Women, more especially,--in the continually recurring trials of wounded, wasted, wronged, misplaced, or erring and sinful passion,--or with the dreary burden of a heart unyielded, because unvalued and unsought,--came to Hester's cottage, demanding why …show more content…
Despite her circumstances, she conformed to society standards and possibly developed new ones. It is often said, “If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.” Rather than ignore or condemn her society for being so cruel, Hester took it all in “grace”. She realized the seriousness of her actions and accepted the consequences. The habits Hester develops heronuto such as caring for Pearl, trying to please the clergymen with her tailoring, and noting her greater spiritual connection are all efforts of Hester conforming to her society standards. Hawthorne allows Hester to develop like a town hussy gone to a good girl, ultimately conveying one of his major themes about redemption of one’s soul. During this time, it was believed God was very judgemental, as noted by Reverend Wilson in the story with his fear driven sermons. However new ideas about religion and redemption were sweeping over this society, many believing that destiny was set by a person’s actions in this world. This idea is the forefront of Hester’s change. A single action can not carry out the rest of one’s fate and how they are viewed. Redemption is possible, as Hester did, and becoming a truly be a good person. This is the thematic message that Hawthorne tried to communicate throughout the story, the foil that we notice with pre and post Hester is quite remarkable. It serves as an example that