Analysis of "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Haworne
“The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Haworne portrays a valuable life lesson of how one’s past can affect the future. Hawthorne reminds the audience that reputation and impression pair together. Impressions are often made based off physical attributes, rumors, as well as past remembrances. This short story reminds the audience to not judge other people based on their past. Hester, as illustrated by Hawthorne, uses her ability of bravery and strength to surpass other people’s negative thoughts of her and overcome her past. Hester Prynne is greatly frowned upon by the townspeople in the beginning of the story. The women of the town did not like her because they were jealous of her beauty.
When Hester stood on the scaffold, one of the women said, “At the very least, they should have put the brand of hot iron on Hester Prynne’s forehead” (49). This malicious statement was made because the man that Hester had a child with could be a husband to one of the women in the crowd. Hester’s punishment was to wear the scarlet letter wherever she went to remind her of the sin she committed. “She would become a general symbol at which the preacher and moralist might point, and in which they might vivify and embody their images of woman’s frailty and sinful passion” (75).
Although Hester became the physical embodiment of sin for Puritans, she wore the scarlet letter with pride and said she would do it again if she had the chance. Hester is a strong, courageous, and independent woman who did not let other people’s notions obstruct her life. “And never had Hester Prynne appeared more ladylike, in the antique interpretation of the term, then she issued from prison” (50-51). She made the scarlet letter into a beautiful addition to her clothing. She made the “A” larger than what was required by the Puritans and walked around with confidence. Hester converted the scarlet letter from an embarrassing punishment to a “symbol of her calling” (146). Hester created a personal identity of herself structured on strength, confidence, beauty and independence.
Hester Prynne serves as a role model to society through her strength that she develops throughout the story. Hester Prynne portrays hope and independence by acting how she feels best. It is never too late to change one’s actions. One cannot change the past, but one can make a change to better the situation they are currently in. Forgiveness will be rewarded and new beginnings are welcomed. Society as a whole is called to focus on the present, because that is the only period of time that can be changed through one’s actions.
