Hester Prynne In The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne

When creating their works, writers often put forth the idea of character alienation to assist in the portrayal of a certain society’s values and morals. Although present in an abundance of literary pieces, the concept of alienation is rarely as vividly accounted for as it is in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1850 novel, The Scarlet Letter, in which Hester Prynne’s estrangement from puritan society in response to her “sin” of adultery reveals the ideas and standards of puritan society to be hypocritical and punitive.

Hawthorne purposely juxtaposes Chillingworth’s self-portrayed helpful manner with the reality of his dark intentions in order to reveal the change of his character. Through Chillingworth’s expression of his “calm, meditative, scholar-like” manner, he disguises himself as an intellect, specifically a doctor, who personally gains comfort from helping Reverend Dimmesdale (Hawthorne 112). Hawthorne portrays a change that takes place as Chillingworth carries out his scheme for revenge by revealing “something ugly and evil in his face, which they had not previously noticed”, showing a contradiction between Chillingworth's outermost appearance (Hawthorne 112). This suggests that Hawthorne begins to emphasize the separation

In the Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne the reader gets the sense that Hester Prynne is a complex character during her introduction. Although she is known for being corrupted, she still appears to be somewhat innocent, shown when the narrator describes, “She turned her eyes downward at the scarlet letter and even touched it with her finger to assure herself that the infant and the shame were real” (41). The reader gains respect for Hester due to her brave composed appearance which “never had...appeared more lady-like...than as she issued from the prison” (37). More character traits are revealed when she refuses to give up name of the baby’s father, demonstrating her stubborn and selfless will to take the fall for her sin. Hawthorne depicts

Prynne gave birth to a girl named Pearl. Both Hester and Pearl were shunned by the community and treated as outsiders. Because of her sin, Hester had to wear the letter “A” at all times, resulting in everyone’s knowledge of the affair and bringing more shame to Hester. Hester also learned to think about the consequences of her actions before doing them. If she continued to act without thinking, Pearl could be taken from her. Hester began to care for the poor, giving them clothes and food. After being alienated by the town, Hester begins analyzing society. She realizes that women are treated worse than men, even if they have not committed adultery. By the end of the story, the shame of the scarlet letter is gone. Hester’s sins changed her from a rash girl to a mature

Hester's main role in the novel was the protagonists. As the protagonists we see that even through the thick and the thin, we see how strong, kind, and honest of a women she really is. When first introduced in chapter 2, she holds her head up with the scarlet letter "so fantastically embroidered and illuminated" upon her chest. As a character, she affected everyone around her in a negative and a positive way. When around the townspeople, they see her as a disgrace. They even show their children that she is an example of what not to be. They look down on her. Hester sets aside her extra time of her day to give and help to those in need, such as to the poor or the governor and they still don't show the same kindness in return. By being

D.H. Lawrence criticizes Hawthorne’s portrayal of Hester Prynne in the novel The Scarlet Letter, claiming that Hester does not deserve homage for her “bravery.” Hawthorne under exaggerates the effects of sin on Hester by persuading the reader to believe she is a heroine who demands the reader’s utmost respect. Lawrence successfully refutes this idea in his criticism, “On the Scarlet Letter,” by utilizing a condescending tone, aggressive diction, and repetition.

One mistake defined how people looked at Hester Prynne for the rest of her life. She was forever marked with the scarlet letter. Adultery was her sin, an "A" was her letter. In the book The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorn, Hester Prynne was publicly shamed for adultery to her husband who was sought to be dead. Her lover remained a mystery to the public. Hester did not go a day without the reminder of her sin because her daughter, Pearl, was the living embodiment of the scarlet letter, the meaning of the "A" changed three times throughout the novel, and it followed her beyond the day she pasted away.

Hester Prynne is a character who relies on her inner strength as she transforms from an impetuous, shameful sinner to a stoic woman. She is a character in The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Hester Prynne is a woman who was condemned by a Puritan town for being an adulterer. This conclusion is evident because she became pregnant while her husband was “lost at sea”. Hester’s conviction is openly displayed by a scarlet letter on her chest.

"With nothing now to lose in the sight of mankind, and with no hope, and seemingly no wish, of gaining anything, it could only be a genuine regard for virtue that had brought back the poor wanderer to its paths." (153)

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne takes place in Boston during the seventeenth century. While waiting two years for her husband to join her in America, Hester Prynne has an affair and, as a result, gives birth to a baby girl who she later names Pearl. As a punishment for her sin, she is publicly shamed and forced to wear a scarlet letter “A” on her chest for as long as she lives, displaying her crime to anyone that may see it. This novel shows society’s conflict between a law and a personal code of ethics.

Over the past few years, I have noticed a trend in people’s reactions to meeting me for the first time. Many times, friends have told me that when they first met me they were intimidated or scared by me. I believe that my “brand” of frightening comes from my inclination to be very forward with people, my other “brand”. My two brands are so interconnected I cannot be one without the other. However, they are, in a way, opposites that still define me. “Frightening” is a brand placed upon me by others based solely on my appearance and resting facial expression. Being forward does not mean that I am not kind; I am a just a genuinely open person. Not unlike Hester Prynne in The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, my brands build upon each other

D.H. Lawrence’s criticism, “On the Scarlet Letter,” criticizes Nathaniel Hawthorne’s portrayal of Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter. Lawrence finds fault in how Hester’s sin of adultery is glorified in the novel. D.H. Lawrence argues that Hawthorne mischaracterizes Hester Prynne as a heroine by using choppy syntax, biblical allusions, and a sarcastic tone.

As a form of punishment for breaking the seventh commandment, Hester Prynne was sentenced to wear a scarlet “A” on her chest for the remainder of her life. The intended definition of the “A” was adulteress; however, the meaning changed to able as Hester’s character evolved. Although Hester Prynne faced ridicule from her neighbors, Hester showed her ability to accept her situation when she showed, “[No] irritation nor irksomeness” (Hawthorne 179) towards the people who hated her. Hester also displayed her ability to control herself when, “She submitted uncomplainingly to the [the public’s] worse usage” (Hawthorne 179). Hester’s ability to forgive and forget, changed the definition of her stigma to show her capability to overcome the harsh comments the people of Boston said about her. Another option pg 109- no respond

The Scarlet Letter is a historical romance novel originally published in 1850 by the renowned writer Nathaniel Hawthorne. The novel gives readers insight on the beliefs of the Puritan community, taking place in mid-seventeenth century Boston, Massachusetts - a time when religion governed society. Puritan ideology surrounds maintaining an intense relationship with God, causing the society to be strict with little room for secular activity. Hester Prynne takes part in an affair with Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, and a child named Pearl results. The letter “A” that she wears upon her bosom symbolizes her dreadful sin and ostracization from society. In spite of the exclusion and belittlement Hester faces in the Puritan society, she vows to keep

The scarlet letter could also be looked as a quality of Hester's character. This quality defined the views of the townspeople regarding Hester, and in time also changed in meaning. It was at the beginning of the book that the letter embroidered on her bosom only stood for adultery, and the common consensus of the people, in respects to Hester's actions, was "this woman has shamed us all and ought to die" (50). In time, and through the actions of Hester Prynne, the letter 'A' upon her chest was understood to be something different, and "many people refused to interpret the