Comparing Relationships In The Scarlet Letter And Hester Prynne

The relationship between the scarlet letter and Hester Prynne is elaborate and ever-changing. Ever since Hester was forcefully given her scarlet letter as a punishment, she has felt ambivalently towards it. It causes her grief, yet it fulfills her being. Hester can leave that grief and the town that torments her whenever she wants to, but chooses to stay with the torment, her daughter, and the letter. The letter was meant to shame and define Hester, but instead Hester made her own definition of the letter by refusing to accept the label by the town. Hester argues that she cannot be judged or labeled by the town, because God is the only one who can judge her. The letter adapted different meanings as Hester’s story continued. Once Hester received the letter, the letter

Although the Puritans were strict, they were not very good at following their basic doctrines. It is mentioned in The Wordy Shipmates that, “Jesus of Nazareth went to a hill in Galilee and told his disciples, ‘Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you.’” (Vowell 45) In most cases, the Puritans who believe in Jesus and fear God do not abide the words spoken by them. The Puritans are too focused on being pure and just that anyone who interferes with their mission will be disposed. Because of that, the Puritans in The Scarlet Letter do not love their enemies (sin and sinners), but instead curse them. Interestingly, Hester is the only one who follows Jesus’ words when he spoke to his disciples. Hester loved her enemies (the town), blessed the town who cursed her and shunned her, and she did good to the town that hated her. Hester, who was the adulterer, was a model for what Jesus wanted, and the Puritans seemed to be so focused on self-righteousness and perfection, they ended up being condescending and forgot about their simple doctrines, deeming them the sinners and