Effects of the Puritan Moral Code on Hester Prynne

Hester Prynne is caught in a conflict between the Puritan morals of her community and a higher law: one of her own love. She chooses to defy the Puritan beliefs and ethics by committing adultery. As a result, she is forced to stand “...a space of three hours on the platform of the pillory and then thereafter, to wear a mark of shame upon her bosom.”(p. 59) The scarlet letter and Pearl, Hester’s child, are daily reminders of the sin she has committed. The community punishment is used as a way to alienate Hester from the people of the community and cause her further pain. “She turned her eyes downward to the scarlet letter, and even touched it with her finger, to assure herself that the infant and the s

Although Hester is now accepted and respected, the burden of guilt that the scarlet letter carries is not fully removed. Hester decides to meet Dimmesdale in the forest because that is the place they feel they can communicate without suspicions. She tells him the truth about Chillingworth’s identity and his plan for him. Dimmesdale forgives her for not telling him sooner and they decide to move to Europe together. Hester in a moment of passion says, “‘Let us not look back.’”(p.185) She then undoes the clasp that fastened the scarlet letter and tosses it away from her. “The stigma gone, Hester heaved a long, deep sigh, in which the burden of shame and anguish departed from her spirit. Oh, exquisite relief! She had not known the weight until she felt the freedom!” (p. 195) Hawthorne said, “the scarlet letter was her passport into regions where other women dared not to tread. Shame, despair, solitude! These had been her teachers—stern and wild ones— and they had made her strong, but taught her much amiss.”

hame were real. Yes!– these were her realities–all else had vanished!” (p.56)

As time passe

Some topics in this essay:
Pearl Hester’s, Hester Prynne, Roger Chillingworth, Europe Hester, Nathaniel Hawthorne, scarlet letter, hester prynne, “the scarlet letter, “the scarlet, puritan settlement, hester’s opinion, puritan community, throughout story,