In seventeenth-century Boston, appearance held profound significance, proven through documents of the era but also in intricate novels and how clothing was used to measure social status. Nathaniel Hawthorne may not have been studying clothing in writing his novel The Scarlet Letter, but the theme conveyed underlies within the clothing the protagonist wears as a result of her actions, and how appearances still mattered in the Puritan times but in a different manner. Clothing is ultimately used as an outlet to showcase the civilians' sins; as done with Hester since her attire not only exemplifies her sin but also reflects her evolving mental state throughout the novel shown through imagery, and how it influenced others’ perceptions of her. Sewing …show more content…
The imagery utilized shows the difference in her reasons for embroidering. At first, she used her skills as a punishment for her sins, and almost a decade later uses it to help others, exemplifying that Hesers rebellious and persistent attitude paid off in the end. The circumstances changing the meaning of the “A” is not only ironic for Hester, but also for the neighbors, who first condemned her for embroidering it, but in the end the townspeople didn’t see her skills as something that contributed to her sin, but rather a skill that can help others. Pearl herself is utilized as one of the biggest pieces of irony as she is adored by Hester as her first daughter, but is a constant reminder of Hester’s sin and the change in her life. Although Pearl represents innocence, she is born out of adultery, as well as how Hester gains happiness out of Pearl, yet gets shunned by the rest of the Puritan Community for having Pearl. Pearl is unique to Hester because she is not brainwashed by the laws of Puritan society, which is mentioned near the end of the