Character Analysis: Hester Prynne

Hester Prynne

Hester is originally described as a very beautiful young lady. In fact, she is abnormally beautiful. However, she is found guilty of adultery, and is therefore made to wear the Scarlet Letter ‘A’. Outwardly, she remains and thing of beauty, while internally her spirit pains her. She accepts the abuse of Puritan society around her, remaining generally quiet. In fact, she generally only speaks out when one of her two loved ones (Pearl and Dimmesdale) are endangered. As time progresses, Hester comes to term with her sin and society’s view of her. She develops a hard, stern outward appearance, housing an equally toughened spirit. As Hester shows that she is ever helpful despite her sin and social status, the meaning of the letter changes from ‘adulteress’ to ‘able’. Hester’s beauty return only when she is in the forest with Dimmesdale, discussing their escape. She again hides her beauty during the Election Day ceremonies and Dimmesdale’s confession. She leaves afterward, only to return, years later, in order to resume residence in her old cottage by the sea as a social outcast.