How Does Hester Change Society

Shame that is brought down on one, makes them a stronger, independent person that utilizes them to make the society better. In the Secret Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, he explores many ideas about Hester and how she changes the idea of an outsider and how people perceive her in Puritan society. By Hester becoming an outcast, she eventually transforms the meaning of the scarlet letter, chasing in the direction to be reduced by shame and becoming someone better who can try to change society. Furthermore, by having Pearl, it makes her a stronger individual, trying to handle a unique child who is forced into maturity compared to a normal Puritan child. Additionally, she minds her own business, living on the outskirts of Boston, ignoring the shame;

Because Pearl is so different than the other children in Boston, it helped Hester become a vigorous person since she had to raise Pearl on her own. As Hester is being questioned and threaten by the governor, trying to take Pearl away from her, she remains strong stating that Pearl is, “‘my happiness!-- she is my torture, nonetheless!” (104). If she didn’t have the scarlet letter branded on her, nor had Pearl, Hester wouldn’t of been the person she is, furthermore she wouldn't the best person she could be. She continues, “Pearl keeps me here in life!.. She is the scarlet letter, only capable of being loved, and so endowed with a million- fold the power of retribution for my sin? Ye shall not take her! I will die first!” (104). Pearl keeps Hester grounded, she’s been so ostracized by the society, that she cares more about her loved ones and is driven to help others rather than letting the shame get to her. Hawthorne presents Pearl as very intelligent, determined and curious; she is a mixture of moods, silent with a mix of fierce temper. Pearl is a type of gem, made from an oyster and sand, that forms when an irritant of sand gets into the oyster and creates layers of nacre. Pearl is the result of the constant reminder of Hester’s sin, however she is a treasure, she came out of an irritant Pearl. She brings out the liveliness in Hester, she is always so curious of why Dimmesdale, Hester and her all couldn’t be seen together in the light or the public, she constantly asks her mother if, “‘he [can] go back with us, hand in hand, we three together into town?’”(198). By Hester having the A, Pearl pushes Hester into realizing that the shame shouldn’t be held in; she can have the right to love again, because of Pearl’s fresh liveliness and free spirit, she kept love alive, playing the conscience of Hester. There was the possibility of not just the absence of shame but that there could