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Virtue In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

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The concept of virtue can be defined in a multitude of ways. The most classic and simple explanation comes from Merriam-Webster, stating that virtue is “a conformity to a standard right and a particular moral excellence.” The most prominent yet controversial character that questions the true meaning of virtue in the literary canon would be Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The Scarlet Letter takes place during a very traditional time, that of Puritan Boston of the 17th century. The true meaning of virtue can be better exemplified in Proverbs 31 than Webster’s modern definition. Despite Hester’s sinful past she is able to uphold the values as a virtuous woman by helping out the poor, using her sewing abilities, …show more content…

She did not just fashion mediocre clothing, she created elaborate pieces that required many hour of hard work and dedication, her work ethic can be exemplified in Proverbs 31:17 “ She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.” Hester works day and night to support herself and Pearl and does not shy away from any tasks. She is driven in her work:
By degrees, nor very slowly, her handiwork became what would now be termed the fashion. Whether from commiseration for a woman of so miserable a destiny; or from the morbid curiosity that gives a fictitious value even to common or worthless things; or by whatever other intangible circumstance was then, as now, sufficient to bestow, on some persons, what others might seek in vain; or because Hester really filled a gap which must otherwise have remained vacant; it is certain that she had ready and fairly equited employment for as many hours as she saw fit to occupy with her needle. (Hawthorne 86)
Hester’s needle work fills a void in her heart that has been left permanently unfilled from the letter, she can not have the one she truly loves but, sewing helps ease her pain. Hester’s driven mindset proves that she is a hard worker and able to face any tasks with strength, just as a virtuous woman …show more content…

She has proven that she deserves to be seen as righteous by helping out the poor, using her sewing abilities, counseling other women, and being a hard worker. Hester has faced cruelty and hatred from others but, through a strengthened relationship with herself and God Hester is able to over adversity and earn the respect of her peers. Although, her circumstances are harsh Hester never travels down a sinful path again and begins new with high morals and excellent work ethic. Hester Prynne may not be perfect but she does everything in her power to better herself and embodies the true meaning of

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Hester’s undeniable ability to overcome hardships is what keeps her stable throughout the events dramatized within the novel. When the author mentions, "[t]hey said that it meant Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman's strength," he is allowing the reader to recognize Hester's ability to care for others while ,on the other hand, no one cares for her (Hawthorne 124). Her true ability to conquer troubles without any additional help made the people reconsider their views on Hester. She is belittled and neglected by the Puritan people, but her strength allows her to carry on. With her courage, Hester Prynne learns to accept that her sins are part of her.

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Her determination to continue to help others express her growth from her mistakes. Hester allows herself to prosper because she has no secrets or guilt holding her back

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On the other hand Hester doesn’t want or try getting attention through her actions. Also she becomes an outcast of the Puritan community and she slowly finds her way back through hard work and showing she cares. Secondly the way the two characters

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The new opinion of the townspeople further proved that Hester was capable of changing from an immoral woman to a respectable and strong female. After her self-inflicted temptation, Hester was able to prove herself to the people around her as well as proving to herself that she was able to change. Society around her now visualized her as a new person who was capable of finding her inner strength, and instead of labeling her as the woman who possessed the Scarlet Letter, she became a woman who was powerful and respectable. By being able to realize how her change affected the folks around her, Hester continued to leap down a positive path of accepting herself and beginning to let go of her rebellious ways, even though this is all she had known in the

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Hester went through public humiliation, wearing her sin for all to see and she lived till old age killed her. These two characters represent more than the sin they committed. They show us the pain of a hidden sin and the fruits of a public

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Hester learns from her sin, and she grows strong as a result

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The following tale was told by my uncle, who has not been seen for some years since, nor heard from for he refuses to Facetime anyone and we have all been too busy to meet him face-to-face. There was a small town at the food of the mountains. They were not as great as the Rockies, but they caught the rain, and kept the small town from being a comfortable and populous place to live. And yet the inhabitants of this little town knew its quirks and the best time of day to loiter and the best time of day to labor.

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As a punishment for her actions, Hester is required to wear a scarlet letter A on her dress that symbolizes the shame of her adultery. This humiliation continues throughout her life as the town treats her with great disrespect because of her past. Hester proves to be very charitable in her lifetime, regularly bringing food to the poor and helping to take care of the sick. Even though “Such helpfulness was found in her—so much power to do and power to sympathize” (113), the town took advantage of her efforts and only appreciated that she was benefiting them with her actions. As she makes a living as a talented seamstress, her clients in town believe

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She is brave and does not deny that she sinned. She realizes that she needs to let go of the misery that the scarlet letter has brought upon her. Rather than letting it define her, Hester uses the letter. She helps out in the community. It does not define who she is.

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Hester not only serves punishment upon the scaffold, but she also completes charitable actions, leading the townspeople to think highly of her. They found a “. . . helpfulness. . . in her. . . [with] much power to do, and power to sympathize. . .”

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There was no “fearful doubt” in Hester’s life when she was initially being punished and now, years later, she has repressed herself to the point of feeling agitation and discomfort due to her continuous rejection by the Puritans. Furtherly, it is observed that “her life had turned, in a great measure, from passion and feeling, to thought” (148). Hester previously held her emotions and fervor as highly important in her life, but now she sees intellect as morally acceptable. This relates her to the rest of her Puritan society, as for them, their morals are what they value

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All the light and graceful foliage of her character had been withered up by this red-hot brand (169). She is not able to forgive herself, and owing to what society has done to her symbol, which once represented her shame, the joy is removed from her character and it is even altering her physical appearance. Hester is even losing her tenderness, which is “essential to keep her a woman (170).” This important aspect is being “crushed so deeply into her heart that it can never show itself more (170).” without a single possibility of restoration, Hester’s tenderness has been taken

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Despite Hester knowing it in her heart of hearts that she is not alone in her sin she is the only one to be punished for her actions. As she lives her days and walks about her hometown her scarlet

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But, as time went on their views changed. Secondly, one of the reasons it changed was because of the Hester’s kind heart. She became more social and outgoing in her community. She brought food to the doors of the poor, she nursed the sick, and she was a source of aid in times of trouble and need.

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Throughout the novel, Hester is fraught by the Puritan society and her suffering is an effect of how evil society is. Hester continues to believe that the crime she committed was not wrong and she should not be punished for it. Her desire to protect and love Dimmesdale, turn her into a stronger person and become a heroine in the book. Although society still views her as a “naughty baggage” (Hawthorne 73) and is punished for her wrongdoing, Hester never thought to take revenge on them, yet she gives everything she has to the unfortunate and leaves herself with very little. She continues to stay positive no matter what society has for her.

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