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From the beginning of his writing career, Nathaniel Hawthorne has made several references to Anne Hutchinson. In fact, he even wrote a sketch called “Mrs. Hutchinson”. Because of Hawthorne’s apparent interest in Mrs. Hutchinson, it is entirely possible that he would use her as a template for one of the characters in his many books. Hawthorne’s character, Hester Prynne, is similar in many ways to Anne Hutchinson. One likeness between the two women …

…the tribunal as to who had committed the acted of adultery with her, and her choice to raise Pearl by herself are all examples of how Hester defied society. Colacurcio even says that, “Hawthorne says of Hester… “the world’s law was no law to her mind”(215). Even though society could change her body, her mind would always be rebellious. While not exactly alike, Hawthorne has created a character that like Anne Hutchinson challenged society.