Hester Pyrnne Character Analysis

Hest is the Best

Imagine yourself on display in front of your whole town, being shamed for cheating on your husband or wife. Also, holding the child of said sin. And on top of all of that, you have to wear a scarlet letter “A” on your bosom. In the book, The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester Prynne is publicly shamed for committing adultery. Sin can affect a person in many ways, but whether it is good or bad only time can tell. In the old days, religion and law were looked at as one, and Hester Prynne just so happened to sin, which in turn caused her to break the law. Hester displays that how a person deals with sin has a lasting impact on the people around her, and most importantly those that are closest to her. She is a good person because she is a good mom, she is strong, and she fights for what she believes in. Hester is a good mother to her daughter, Pearl.

Hester is a good parent because she supports herself, resists the community officials’ attempts to take Pearl away, and, most importantly, teaches her daughter that no amount of public shame can diminish what is inside you. She supports herself by needlework. Hester makes everything from burial shrouds to christening gowns. Hester says, “This badge hath taught me, -it teaches me,- it is teaching me at this moment,- lessons whereof my child can be wiser and better” (89). This shows she is a good mom because she has learned from her mistake and does not want little Pearl to make the same mistake, and to help Pearl to be a good member of society. This proves how strong Hester is.

Hester could have made it easier on herself and daughter if she had told the officials who she had sinned with. When Hester was asked about the baby’s father she says, “That thou shalt never know!” (62). Hester steadfastly refuses to reveal the name of Pearl’s father, so that he might be saved from punishment. This proves she is strong because instead of ruining her partner’s life, she sacrifices herself for him. This is also an example of Hester fighting for what she loves and believes