The relationship between the scarlet letter and prynne hester essay pages. This analysis is about hester prynne, the main character and focuses on three of her attitudes, appearance, and morals. The work centers on hester prynne, a married woman who is shunned after bearing a child out of wedlock but displays great compassion and resiliency. Hester prynne, a woman in a puritan colony, has a child out of adultery and is given a red a on her dress as punishment. The main character of the scarlet letter, hester prynne, is a beautiful young. She creates her own letter out of moss, sees the letter in the breastplate at governor bellinghams mansion, and points at it in the forest scene with hester and dimmesdale. The scarlet letter, nathaniel hawthorne s 1850 novel about puritan boston, then known as the massachusetts bay colony, tells the story of hester prynne, a woman who has given birth to a child out of wedlocka grave sin in the deeply religious community. The main character of the scarlet letter, hester prynne, is a beautiful young woman who readers first witness standing on the scaffolding of the town pillory. Scarlet letter hester prynne character analysis essay 840 words 4 pages.
Hawthorne says it is the first object of which she seemed aware, and she focuses on the letter in many scenes. Character analysis of hester prynne free essay example. Essay on scarlet letter hester prynne character analysis. Another view in the title refers to both the changing perception of the puritan society toward hester and also the. Characters hester prynne although the scarlet letter is about hester prynne, the book is not so much a consideration of her innate character as it is an examination of the forces that shape her and the transformations those forces effect. The scarlet letter, written in 1850 by nathaniel hawthorne, might seem archaic to modern readers. This analysis has to do with hester prynne, the primary character and focuses on three of her attitudes, look, and morals. What is most remarkable about hester prynne is her strength of character.
The reverend wilson is among the men who judge hester prynne at the beginning of the book. The symbolism behind the scarlet letter a changes throughout this novel. Over the course of the novel, hester remains unchanged in some areas, such as strength and. The scarlet letter, novel by nathaniel hawthorne, published in 1850.
The letter, a patch of fabric in the shape of an a, signifies that hester is an adulterer. Though she is young throughout most of the novel, she acts older than most of the adults. Analysis and discussion of hester prynne in nathaniel hawthornes the scarlet letter. While hawthorne does not give a great deal of information about her life before the book opens, he does show her remarkable character, revealed through her public humiliation and subsequent, isolated life in puritan society. Monkeynotesthe scarlet letter by nathaniel hawthornefree book. Scarlet letter pearl character analysis free essays. Character analysis of hester prynne in the scarlet letter. Although the scarlet letter is about hester prynne, the book is not so much a consideration of her innate character as it is an examination of the forces that shape her and the transformations those forces effect. Much to the consternation of her puritan society, hester dresses pearl in outfits of gold or red or both.
Character analysis the scarlet letter is a story of characters that have to live and deal with the effects of sin in different ways. This ambivalence is shown by breaking the book into three different parts. Before her adultery, she had a defiant character and her own mother often had to help her control her personality. Scarlet letter character analysis essay 852 words cram. Of these characters, the reverend arthur dimmesdale is the character portrayed as the most weak and ennoble. Of all the characters in the scarlet letter, hester prynne, the protagonist, is the strongest and most courageous. The story the scarlet letter by nathaniel hawthorne this story takes place on puritan times, is about hester prynne who commits the act of adultery and has to b punished for her sin.
Perhaps her most important role is that of an iconoclast, one who opposes established. Hester prynne the character of hester prynne changed significantly throughout the novel the scarlet letter by nathaniel hawthorne. The woman we get acquainted with is characterized by a certain state and dignity, rather than by the delicate evanescent and indescribable grace which is now recognized as its indication chapter 2. Though initially this letter a symbolizes the sin of adultery, hester prynne alters its meaning through her hard work and charity. Hester character throughout nathaniel hawthornes book the scarlet letter, hesters attitudes toward her adultery are ambivalent. Hester prynne hester is the book s protagonist and the wearer of the scarlet letter that gives the book its title. Even as a baby, she instinctively reaches for the scarlet letter. Hesters strength of character in public, is in fact, her way of steeling. The classic literature book the scarlet letter, by nathaniel hawthorne, is a dramatic story with enlightenment ideas tied in. Throughout the novel, she demonstrates compassion and an indomitable. The concept of individual freedom plays a large role in the development of the main character in the scarlet letter. When she is first presented in the story, there is already a scandal attached to her name that is symbolized by the scarlet letter a.
Out of all the characters in the story, hester suffers the most for one, she must wear the scarlet a. Hester is the books protagonist and the wearer of the scarlet letter that gives the book its title. As a young woman, hester married an elderly scholar, chillingworth. Hesters physical look is established and referred to typically throughout the book. Hester is one of the main characters of the novel, and she makes a large change after the puritan community shuns her for committing adultery. Character analysis hester prynne the scarlet letter. Scarlet letter character analysis essay 1031 words cram.
The scarlet letter won hawthorne great critical acclaim, and even today the book remains on the best seller list. The main character of the scarlet letter, hester prynne, is a beautiful young woman whom readers first witness standing on the scaffolding of the town pillory. The scarlet letter by nathanial hawthorne is a complicated book with in depth characterization. Set in puritan massachusetts bay colony during the years 1642 to 1649, the novel tells the story of hester prynne who conceives a daughter through an affair and then struggles to create a new life of repentance and dignity. He has large, melancholy eyes and a tremulous mouth, suggesting great sensitivity. Detailed analysis of characters in nathaniel hawthornes the scarlet letter. A critical analysis of hester prynne essay, the scarlet. Hester prynne character analysis in the scarlet letter litcharts. The scarlet letter literary analysis essay example. Another view of hester the title of chapter is another view of hester. We know very little about hester prior to her affair with dimmesdale and her resultant public shaming.
Throughout nathaniel hawthorne s book the scarlet letter, hester s attitudes toward her adultery are ambivalent. We read that she married chillingworth although she did not love him, but we. A description of her physical appearance, her traits, and an analysis of her character will be followed by a short quiz. The scarlet letteranalysis of hester freebooksummary. Hesters physical appearance is developed and referred to often throughout the novel. Hawthornes most famous novel, the scarlet letter is the story of hester prynne, a young woman who commits adultery and is forced to live with the consequences in the puritan community of salem. Scarlet letterhester prynne the scarlet letter by nathanial hawthorne is a complex novel with in depth characterization. Shes a selfsufficient single mother in one of the gloomiest most. The scarlet letter character analysis hester prynne.
The protagonist of the novel, hester is married to roger chillingworth and has an affair with arthur dimmesdale. Character analysis arthur dimmesdale the scarlet letter. But, that is not to say that she is unsusceptible to change. A wild, fey child who is associated throughout the work with nature and the natural, pearl is the product of an unsanctified relationship between hester and. Dimmesdale, the personification of human frailty and sorrow, is young, pale, and physically delicate. This chapter is a discussion of hesters personality, intellect and character as well as an update of several years she had been passing through. Hester plays many roles in the scarlet letter read full character analysis. Hester prynne character analysis in the scarlet letter. Even pearls clothes contribute to her symbolic purpose in the novel by making an association between her, the scarlet letter, and hesters passion. Hester prynne, through the eyes of the puritans, is an extreme sinner. She is described as a youthful, beautiful, spirited, and proud woman.
She constantly makes herself useful, and she is powerful. Scarlet letter character analysis essay freebooksummary. Some people begin to suggest that the a stands for able, since hester is such a capable woman. The early chapters of the book suggest that, prior to her marriage, hester was a strongwilled and impetuous young womanshe remembers her parents as loving. Scarlet letter character analysis, sample of essays. With being the product of a sin, pearl has to deal with a lot.
As a young woman, hester married an elderly scholar, chillingworth, who sent her ahead to america to live but never followed her. Character analysis of hester prynne 2487 words 10 pages. Hester goes through quite a few changes throughout the novel, both emotional and physical. Character analysis of hester prynne research paper 2497. The scarlet letter a represents the act of adultery that she has committed, and it is to be a symbol of her sina badge of shamefor all to see. Throughout nathaniel hawthornes book the scarlet letter, hesters attitudes toward her adultery are ambivalent. Character analysis hester prynne what is most remarkable about hester prynne is her strength of character. Hawthorne notes, as if there were a withering spell in the sad letter, her beauty, the warmth and richness of her womanhood, departed like. The essay on scarlet letter hester pearl dimmesdale. The novel is considered a masterpiece of american literature and a. Hester is the book s protagonist and the wearer of the scarlet letter that gives the book its title. Character analysis of hester prynne 2487 words bartleby.
An ordained puritan minister, he is well educated, and he has a philosophical turn. In the old days, religion and law were looked at as one, and hester prynne just so happened to sin, which in turn caused her to break the law. She uses her innate talents and gifts to transform the meaning of her punishment, and she ultimately becomes a legend in her puritan society. Hester prone, one of the main characters, is a shining example of the transformation that individual freedom can produce in a person. The balance of the narrative takes place in the seven years following the public outcry. Character analysis hester prynne while hawthorne does not give a great deal of information about her life before the book opens, he does show her remarkable character, revealed through her public humiliation and subsequent, isolated life in puritan society. The scarlet letter chapters 14 summary and analysis. The scarlet letter is so popular maybe because generations of readers can interpret it and see subtle meanings that somewhat reflect their own lives. This is partly due to the fact that the novel is set in the 1640s, over 200 years. A romance is a work of historical fiction by american author nathaniel hawthorne, published in 1850.
About the scarlet letter the scarlet letter summary character list glossary themes the custom house chapters 14 chapters 58 chapters 912 chapters 16 chapters 1720 chapters 2124 adultery and punishment related links essay questions quiz 1 quiz 2 quiz 3 quiz 4 citations. The letter, a patch of fabric in the shape of an a. The balance of the narrative takes place in the seven years following the public outcry over her crime and focuses mainly on her relationship with the revered town minister, arthur dimmesdale, and the newlyarrived physician, roger. Scarlet letter pearl character analysis pearl is a major character in the novel because she impacts everyones decisions in the book in some way.
745 1663 1362 1384 277 1411 1427 911 601 788 764 850 1646 991 1142 1326 1285 71 636 153 361 937 1117 210 341 794 643 319 1227 443 1436