In The Scarlet Letter Hester is convicted for a crime she never committed. The only "crime" she commits is one that is based on the laws and morals of the Puritan society. Although adultery, in the eyes of Puritans, is seen as a horrendous crime, if it is out of love it contradicts the actual crime, which is to go against one's spouse as an act of spite. Hester follows her heart and so is therefore innocent of all sins.
Hester never regrets what she did with Dimmesdale. She does not consider it something that was immoral. In chapter 17, when she is finally reunited with Dimmesdale she says: "What we did had a consecration of its own. We felt it so! We said so to each other!" Her love is immortalized in a contrasted way that just the scarlet letter "A" as a representation of sin in this situation. She sees their actions in a different perspective than the community does. It is a glorified action in her eyes. .
The way Hester views the scarlet letter is completely different than that of the townspeople. She wears the scarlet letter with no shame. The scarlet letter is extravagantly sewn and placed on her bosom. "That Scarlet Letter, fantastically embroidered and illuminated on her bosom" (p. 47). The women of the town are furious with the way Hester behaves with her scarlet letter. "Why, gossips, what is it but to laugh in the faces of our godly magistrates, and make pride out of what they, worthy gentlemen, meant for punishment?" (p. 47). .
Even though she is persecuted for having the scarlet letter, Hester does not let it effect her. Her goodness still remains. She helps all that are in need with the skills that she has. She gives to the poor and is a living representation of the strength of women in her community. "Such helpfulness was found in her -so much power to do and power to sympathize -that many people refused to interpret the scarlet "A" by its original signification. They said that it meant "Able"; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman's strength" (p.
