Sunday, February 14, 2016

In "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne, what was the effect of the scarlet letter on Hester's personality, health, and abilities?If...

In the book "The Scarlet Letter," Hester Pyrne became a stronger woman who found her own self pride and convictions after having been forced to wear the scarlet letter.  Hester, rather than succumb to the indignity of her predicament, chose to hold her head up high.  She wore the letter in a manner that it reflected back on the people who wanted it to damage her.  She maintained her silence about who she had slept with which frustrated her husband and at the same time created curiosity among the townspeople.


The townspeople could not totally avoid Hester because they needed her.  She built her own business making fine clothing which placed a dependency from the townspeople on her skills.  In addition, she refused to allow her child to be hidden.  She dressed her in beautiful clothing.  The scarlet dress that Pearl wore also served to reflect her sin towards the others.


Hester left the community and years later returned.  She became a confident to women around the countryside.  Her strength and confidence made her the very person that woman could talk with about their own fears and secrets. 


By wearing the scarlet letter the way that she did, Hester maintained good health, but the Reverend Dimmsdale, who had to hide his identify as an adulterer, experienced diminishing health until it ended his life.

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