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Imagine living a life, in today’s society, having one single letter define and determine everything you are and will be. Hester Prynne, a main character in the novel, The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, experiences this tragic feeling of judgment, guilt, dignity, confidence, and much more. She endures this because of an affair, causing her to bear a child, resulting in her becoming the face of sin and guilt by wearing the scarlet letter “A”. As Hester continues to wear the scarlet letter “A” throughout the novel, the significance of the symbol changes over time to shame, ability to cope with it, and eventually to honor, seen through Hester and different people.
The scarlet letter symbolizes punishment and shame in the novel, but different people have different outlooks on this symbol. As Hester Prynne leaves the prison, with a child created through sin in her hands, it is seen that “on the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery,…appeared the letter A…which she wore…but greatly beyond what was allowed by the sumptuary regulation of the colony” (Hawthorne, 46). This portrays her daughter, Pearl, and learns to love this letter and sees it as her mother’s identity and feels disconnected from her mother if it is not on. To Hester, it represent a part of her rebellion, as well, against the Puritan community because of their hidden shame. Hester seems to recognize this shame from the Puritans when Hawthorne says, “She felt an eye- a human eye – upon the ignominious brand, that seemed to give a momentary relief, as if half of her agony were shared” (72). The villagers saw Hester and the letter as a sign of their own sin, which was a very different opinion from others. The villagers always thought of her as a representation of guilt, confidence, or lust hidden inside. On the other hand, one villager expresses their opinion of the “A” when he says, “At the very least, they should have put the brand of a hot iron on Hester Prynne’s forehead'(59). Hester’s punishment was not seen as harsh, but was seen as lucky to the villagers. The villagers only saw the “A” as public punishment, and would rather Hester to be punished more because it was seen as sin. The villagers and others have mixed opinions on the scarlet letter and as to why she is wearing it. It was seen as a symbol of shame and disgrace, yet caused the villagers and others to question their own moral sins, and the actual meaning of the letter.
The scarlet letter comes to show later on, of a women’s ability and the strength of her own self. Now, certain villagers changes their thoughts and say, ‘[the scarlet letter is means] ‘Able’; so strong was Hester Prynne with a woman’s strength'(156). Hester endured all the torments without saying or doing anything in return. She is a strong and independent woman who raised a child and helped many others at the same time, and the villagers realized that Hester has worked hard. Another perspective was Hawthorne, who refers to Hester’s letter, as “the scarlet letter was her passport into region where other women dared not tread. Shame, Despair, Solitude!” (165). Before the word would mean adulteress or dishonor, but Hester now knows how to sympathize by helping others in need, through sewing or anything she could do, changing the word to signify “Able”. Nonetheless, the villagers see her as good and choose to believe the “A” represented womanhood. Similar to the quote above, Hester continues to resemble, “The letter [of] the symbol of her calling. Such helpfulness was found in her- so much power to do and power to sympathize- that many people refused to interpret the scarlet ‘A’ by its original significance”(134). Over time, it is proven that Hester is no longer seen as nothing more than shameful town adulterer and the community around begin to see her for who she would have been before the situation occurred. As everyone unfolds their perception of Hester, they begin to realize Hester is humble, capable, and able of womanhood.
At the novel’s end, Hester’s significant scarlet letter is ultimately seen in a different light and is now perceived as something that should be honored and becomes a powerful identity of Hester. Primarily, Nathaniel makes this case known through explaining, ‘the scarlet letter ceased to be a stigma which attracted the world’s scorn and bitterness, and became a type of something to be sorrowed over and looked upon with awe yet with reverence too'(213). This letter now showed love rather than cold sinful hearts within it and the village and Hester herself noticed this by embracing it. The villagers’ view of Hester and the letter “A” has transformed into the opposite of their original perspectives. From an outside perspective, such as the community she lived in, it is obvious there is a change in personality and overall wellbeing of Hester, “ She had returned, therefore, and resumed—of her own free will, for not…that iron period would have imposed it—resumed the symbol of which we have related so dark a tale.” (214-215). This letter resembled Hester’s eternal guilt, even though she is forgiven in the eyes of others, she harbors personal guilt. Hester did leave Boston, but soon returned because she felt it was the scene of her sin and that Boston is were she belongs. Hester creates the life where the scarlet letter is a symbol of overcoming and gaining knowledge rather than living a life of failure and guilt.
The Scarlet Letter’s symbolism brought out the perceptions of the village, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Hester herself as the symbol changes. The symbol was first seen as a symbol of shame, guilt, and sin that led the villagers to believe Hester was proud of what she had done and lucky with her punishment. In the middle of the novel, Hester embodies the letter “A” and this creates a new meaning for it, “Able” from the villagers’ point of view. Finally, Hester makes the letter seen as honorable and turns it into something that identity’s her personality, in a good way. Hester’s experience with the letter is something no one in today’s society will live, but she deals with it in a graceful way and a way that shows strong womanhood.
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