Scarlet Letter & Hester
It is adequate to begin a composition of this caliber with the quote, "It (the scarlet letter) had the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and enclosing her in a sphere by herself" (56). This confinement, undoubtedly, keeps Hester closer to God than without the scarlet letter attached to her bosom. Throughout The Scarlet Letter, an extremely religious book, the letter 'A', which was impressed on Hester Prynne's bosom, did not completely shun her out of society. Even in a Puritan society, the letter actually brought Hester closer to God himself. A direct reference to the scarlet letter bringing Hester closer to God would be easily exemplified in Hawthorne's continuous attempt to connect Pearl with the letter. It was most obviously seen when Hester stated, "God gave me the child... See ye not, she is the scarlet letter" (116). Pearl was an "emblem and product of sin" (97) because of Hester, yet 'God' gave Hester the child. Clearly, the letter 'A', a symbol of sin, is constantly reminding Hester that she is directly tied to God. Another strong connection of Pearl to the scarlet letter is when Pearl actually makes a letter of her own to place on her bosom. "Pe
Once again, Hester held an aspect of forgiveness of her own. Later in the book, Hester decided to take the scarlet letter off of her bosom in the forest. The minister stated, "Think for me, Hester! Thou art strong. Pearl, the gift from God himself, would not go near Hester without the scarlet letter attached to her bosom. With this emblem attached to Hester's bosom, there were times when Hester was greatly appreciated throughout the society. After removing the scarlet letter, "she took off the formal cap that confined her hair; and down it fell upon her shoulders" (211). At one time in the book, Hester was described as extremely strong and willing to help everybody around her. With this symbol, I undo it all, and make it as it had never been" (211). Even more so, Hester would always have rather wore the scarlet letter on her bosom than announce Pearl's father. "She saw the children of the settlement.
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