Examples Of Hester Prynne The Unknown Feminist Of Her Time

Hester Prynne: The Unknown Feminist of her Time The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne centers around Hester Prynne and her life after getting caught committing adultery and living with the punishment of a red A embroidered on her chest. After being convicted, Hester is harassed for the identity of the father of her child. Even in a male-dominated society, Hester was a strong female character. She is publicly shamed, berated, and criticized by her peers but learned how to rise about it all. The community tried to break her down but she only got stronger, becoming a feminist icon well before her time. According to “Action Aid’s Ten Principles of Feminine Leadership.”, self-awareness, caring for others, caring for ones-self, and courage

According to “Action Aid’s Ten Principles of Feminine Leadership”, caring for others is one of the principles of being a feminist. Hester expresses this by putting others before herself. Hester was harassed to expose the identity of Pearl’s father, she knew that uncovering who he is could put her, Pearl, and the father all in danger. Instead, she risks herself to protect him and her daughter. The text states, “ ‘I will not speak!’ answered Hester, turning pale as death, but responding to this voice, which she too surely recognized. ‘And my child must seek a heavenly Father; she shall never know an earthly one!’ ” (Hawthorne 63). Hester is stating that the identity of Pearl’s father is unimportant to Pearl’s well-being; the only father Pearl needs is the lord. By saying this, she is not only protecting the father but, she is displaying empathic traits. Hester only becomes more caring with age. In her later years’ people often come to Hester when they need advice because she is less judgmental because of her life experiences, the story says, “People brought all their sorrows and perplexities, and besought her counsel, as one who had herself gone through a mighty trouble.” (Hawthorne 247). Even though these would have been the people that would have publicly shamed her in her younger years she still wants to help them. She gives them all the advice she can as a result of her kindheartedness and her experience of

After being shunned by her community, Hester learns how to take care of and support herself financially. After being isolated from her community, Hetser had to learn how to become self-reliant. The book talks about Hester making her own money and supporting her and her daughter by starting her own embroidery business. (Hawthorn 84-85). This shows Hester has the will and strength to persevere even though everyone is against her. From being exiled by her society, Hester becomes more open-minded. The text claims, “The tendency of her fate and fortunes had been to set her free. The scarlet letter was her passport into regions where other women dared not tread.” (Hawthorne 210). Hester realizes that the expectations of the community are unrealistic and unfair, which puts her into a new perspective of thinking. She realizes that she does not need the validation of the others around her to be content and happy with her life. Self-care is not the only thing Hester learned while being shunned by her community; she also learned her own strength and