Hester Prynne Suffering In Scarlet Letter

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The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, portrays the shameful life the main character, Hester Prynne, because of a sinful encounter that resulted in her daughter Pearl. Throughout the novel it is evident that she grows close with a minister, Arthur Dimmesdale, who later is revealed as the father of Pearl. However, Hester’s public shame of adultery is never shared with Reverend Dimmesdale. Because of this, many may infer that Hester’s ignominy caused her greater suffering than the self-shame Dimmesdale brought upon himself. Yet, as the novel progresses, Hawthorne makes it clear that Hester's infamy was actually strengthening her, while Dimmesdale’s silence was breaking him. This distinction is important in realizing…show more content…
She finds herself the point of discussion almost everywhere she goes, even when she attends mass. She finds that Pearl is caught in the crossfire of her reputation, as she is also ostracized and seen as a walking reminder of Hester’s sin. At one point, Hester fights for her custody of Pearl. The magistrates do not think she is a good influence on Pearl, but even then, they do not want the proclaimed demon child to ruin Hester’s path at repentance. These initial conditions molded her so that she eventually gains worth by setting them aside and helping her community…show more content…
The letter “ set a mark upon her more intolerable to a woman’s heart than that which branded the brow of Cain” ( Hawthorne 81). In a Puritan society, a woman’s worth came from her husband and she had broken that bond between her and her husband. Hawthorne describes this infamy as something as disgraceful as what Cain did in biblical times by murdering his brother. In addition, wherever she finds herself, she becomes the topic of ridiculing and strangers share “words of exhortation” and at church she finds herself “the text of the discourse” (Hawthorne 82). Three years after her sentence, leading inhabitants want to take Pearl away from Hester because they initially believe she is a demon child not suited for repairing her soul. Regardless if she was capable of morality, Hester would raise Pearl with the error of her ways. It is her malfortune that may lead some to believe Hester suffered tremendously, but it seems to be a better option as opposed to running away from it.Although she experiences all these negative circumstances, Hester is still able to overcome them and move forward. She gains respect and worth by selling as well as giving away her embroideries. Also, she is able to keep Pearl and is able to move on because Hester finds peace in her. Pearl is there “to remind her, at every moment, of her fall, but yet to teach her”
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