The Scarlet Letter represents the struggle between man and sin, yet it can be repealed by the hand of God who redeems those worthy. There are two cases in the story, one being Hester who openly lives in sin and Dimmesdale who hiddenly lives a fake life. Both handle their matters differently which determine the roles and outcome of them in the story. In Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester is indeed the protagonists who makes wise decisions and moral choices that positively affect her life. Although Dimmesdale is a reverend and serves the Lord under his church, his actions do not change throughout the story resulting in his demise.
Hester is instituted as a sinner, yet in the novel is depicted as a moral person who makes just decisions
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“She was self-ordained a Sister of Mercy…” (146). As the quote above clearly shows, Hester becomes an epitome of repentance done right. The townspeople now respect her and even the letter A is named as “Able”. Mercy had sunk into her life, which could only be provided by God himself. Furthermore, there is an indirect differentiate between Hester and Dimmesdale. Hester blatantly exposes herself and her sin, yet Dimmesdale has lived without confessing. The correlation between public and hidden sin appear since Dimmesdale's whole state is deteriorating (due to the lack of confession, unlike Hester). Accordingly, Hester is morally approved by God’s law, while Dimmesdale is approved by man’s law but his life is a lie. Hester towards the end of story proves to be a reliable source of kindness and support for those who need it. “O Hester, thou art my better angel!” (182). To further elaborate on Hester’s protagonist like qualities, her kind heart manifests when Dimmesdale begins to worsen. Dimmesdale struggles with concealed sin and as his friend and lover, Hester provides a key opportunity for him to be free. Her actions exemplify the bridge between man and God and how one can mend the wicked deeds done. Her help provides Dimmesdale's one step closer