How Does Hester Prynne Change Throughout The Scarlet Letter

Within a Puritan society, there is a strict set of rules that have to be followed in order to avoid conflict and punishment. In the novel, Hester Prynne goes against one of the many puritan ideals, by committing adultery. This results in the wearing of the scarlet letter on her chest as an act of punishment for what she has done. When Hester’s appearance is first introduced she is seen as a beautiful young woman, “characterized by a certain state and dignity” (48). People began to admire her as she stepped out of the prison doors, but it is all veiled by the scarlet letter. The scarlet letter “had the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and inclosing her in a sphere by herself” (48). Her sin now defined

In the town Dimmesdale was a remarkable minister that gave sermons for the townspeople to listen to. Many times these sermons subtly revealed the sin he had committed, but not enough for people to take into consideration that those actions were indeed accurate. In the community Dimmesdale treated Pearl and Hester as if they did not know each other or have any relation. This was due to the fact that Hester wanted to keep the identity of Pearl’s father a secret from her husband, as well as the society. Dimmesdale says to Hester “‘Be not silent from any mistaken pity and tenderness for him… [if] he were to step down from a high place, and stand there beside thee, on thy pedestal of shame, yet better were it so, than to hide a guilty heart through life.” (60) He was acting as if he had nothing to do with it, but may have wanted Hester to reveal his identity right then and there, to avoid the pain that it caused him. By keeping his identity a secret though, it allowed Hester to save Dimmesdale from having to live with the shame that came with the scarlet letter she was forced to wear, as well as face the wrath of her husband,