In the novel, The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the protagonist Hester Prynne is accused of adultery. The Puritan society has no tolerance for her sin; therefore, the punishment affects Hester for the rest of her life. Hester Prynne’s act of adultery results in a conflict between her faith and pride.
Hester Prynne’s alienation from her Puritan home town caused her to constantly think about her sin. She was not scorned by the town and her only close friends.. The Puritan society in Hester’s hometown set high standards and adultery falls under their worst sins. Hester must now deal with the letter “A” stitched on her clothes to stand for adulteress. The author makes this clear to show that the clothes she wears everyday will now constantly have an effect on her for her sin. This letter represents how unholy she was to her community. This alienation is a way to force Hester to live with her sin and ultimately
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However, Hester was able to embrace her sinful act by keeping and raising her child Pearl. The author does this to show how Hester is filled with courage. Hester’s sinful act brings much tension to the town full of Puritans which creates a hard life for Hester and Pearl. Hester was in no way ashamed of her daughter. The birth of her daughter represents Hester’s pride and the conflict exemplified. Although she knew the consequences were high, she still followed through with the birth of her daughter. This is the authors’ way of showing her pride. In response to the constant criticism and humiliation, Hester kept her head up and never once let it ruin her or take her down. As long as Pearl was in her life, she would not let her sin take over her life. Hester was greatly affected by the Puritan society and the harsh life that comes along with her sin, yet in the mist of it all she maintains her