Impact Of The Scarlet Letter

The Impact of the Letter A In the story, The Scarlet Letter, Hawthrone illustrates that one can achieve atonement through hard work, kindness, and selflessness as supported by Hester’s adultery and her act of rebuilding the trust of the townspeople. Hester Prynne owns up to her mistake and crime; however, she continues to receive negative feedback. The narrator describes the scene as, “In a moment, however, wisely judging that one token of her shame would but poorly serve to hide another, she took the baby on her arm, and, with a burning blush, and yet a haughty smile, and a glance that would not be abashed, looked around at her townspeople and neighbors” (Hawthorne 37). Hester moves Pearl to show the scarlet letter she now wears on her

The narrator explains the effect of the scarlet letter that, “It has the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and inclosing her in a sphere by herself” (Hawthorne 37). The scarlet letter changes the townspeople's opinions about Hester; they previously saw her as generous and kind, since seeing her with the letter embroidered upon her bosom they view her as untrustworthy and a felon. The narrator goes into more detail stating, “To-morrow would bring its own trial with it; so would the next day, and so would the next; each its own trial, and yet the very same that was now so unutterably grievous to be borne. The days of the far-off future would toil onward, still with the same burden for her to take up, and bear along with her, but never to fling

The narrator interprets the letter differently as, “The letter was a symbol of her calling. Such helpfulness was found in her, -so much power to do, and power to sympathize”(Hawthorne 111). Although the Puritan’s judgment of Hester is clouded by the scarlet letter, she is still the same generous and helpful person as before. The narrator continues to demonstrate her selfless actions, “It is our Hester, -the town’s own Hester, -who is so kind to the poor, so helpful to the sick, so comfortable to the afflicted” (Hawthorne 111). The townspeople start to notice the kind deeds Hester has done and the way she cares for everyone. Adding on the narrator states, “All the light and graceful foliage of her character has been withered up by his red-hot brand, and had long ago fallen away, leaving a bare and harsh outline, which might have been repulsive, had she possessed friends or companions to be repelled by it” (Hawthorne 112). Regardless of Hester’s true personality and characteristics, the Puritan townspeople only see the scarlet letter sewn onto her chest. However, they start to notice Hester Prynne’s selfless