Being True To Oneself In The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter, a novel that takes place in a New England colony, depicts a lady

named Hester Prynne who is being punished for committing adultery by wearing a scarlet “A” on

her chest. Hester and her daughter, Pearl, live with disgrace and mocking from the colonists.

Reverend Dimmesdale, Pearl’s father, is also being tortured by his deceptive friend, Doctor Roger

Chillingworth, who is Hester’s husband. There are many instances of characters not being their

true selves. Not being true to one’s self causes unhappy consequences.

Reverend Dimmesdale suffers for not being his true self. The governor chooses Reverend

Dimmesdale to be the judge of Hester. This shows that the people think he is righteous enough to

herself, she would have never known her true self and died an unhappy women.

council decides to let Hester take off the scarlet letter, because she is such a good person. Hester

Hester is an example of how being true to one’s self comes with good consequences. The

for the colonists so he will not ruin his reputation or lose his job. The only person that Reverend

Some topics in this essay:
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