Hester Prynne, therefore, did not flee "(Hawthorne 90). This shows that Hester was not going to let her punishment and how the townspeople treat and judge her ruin her life; so she makes the decision to stay and face her now changed life with the shameful scarlet letter which is now at home on her chest. .
The next character that helps show identity in society is Mr. Dimmesdale. However unlike Hester his identity in society helped him, due to the fact that he is a reverend and is seen by the townspeople as a very holy man and is never suspected to be the man that was involved with Hester. He is even on the platform questioning Hester when she was put on the platform for ridicule during which someone yelled out "People say, " said another, "that the Reverend Master Dimmesdale, her godly pastor, takes it very grievously to heart that such a scandal should have come upon his congregation." (90) This shows the readers that people did not suspect him at all as they even say that the Reverend must be hurt that such a thing could happen, never mind even considering that he took part in it himself. .
The final character that helps us develop the theme of identity in society is Pearl, the product of her parents sin. Pearls identity in society was forced upon her from birth because people labeled her as evil because of how she came to this world. Pearl was never given the chance to define herself: "Pearl was a born outcast of the infantile world. An imp of evil, emblem and product of sin, she had no right among christened infants. " (96) This quote shows how society labels Pearl due to what her mother had done and that Pearl was not going to grow up and be treated like a normal child. The theme of identity in society is explored through how the characters are seen by the townspeople and the effect it has on them. Anne W. Abbott states, "But Little Pearl "gem of the purest water "what shall we say of her? That if perfect truth to childish and human nature can make her a mortal, she is so; and immortal, if the highest creations of genius have any claim to immortality.