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The Scarlet Letter In The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne explores the strength of the human spirit. “No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be true”. This statement is uniquely applicable to Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth. Hester gains strength from the transgression, Dimmesdale is tormented to his death, and Chillingworth’s need for vengeance encompasses …

…Dimmesdale and Chillingworth hide their true personalities from the public and ultimately pay for it. Hester, in contrast, leads her life with pride and takes full responsibility for her actions. She, therefore, concludes her life in a peaceful manner, admired by the public. Even though these characters are forced to cope with the same transgression, Hester is the sole person to overcome her sin; Dimmesdale and Chillingworth, however, suffer with the shame until their deaths.