Essay Database

"Hester Prynne is a single mother devoted to the child who personifies the scarlet letter: part symbol, part consolation, and part terror…Hester is a quiet rebel whose isolation grants her a certain freedom of thought, particularly concerning the plight of women." This quote, said by Brenda Wineapple, is about Hester Prynne, who is one of the main characters in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. All the elements of the quote are true; Hester …

…who is the epitome of the scarlet letter, and Hester's separation from society lends her the freedom to think about subjects that are banned by it. The scarlet letter, and what it represents, is the single most significant factor in Hester's character, which is why they are never separated. The letter contributes much to Hester's role in the story, such as giving her the opportunity to reflect on issues that would otherwise not be possible.