Transformation is changing to an entirely new situation. Situations that give you the opportunity to either better yourself, or destroy yourself. In the book The Scarlet Letter, written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, many of the characters transform because of a sin that was committed such as Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth.
             The sin committed by Hester Prynne forced her to wear the Scarlet Letter, which would transform her into a stronger person by learning the lessons taught by the burden she carried. When Hester first stands on the scaffold after her sin, she stepped out of the prison and into the light of day with a "natural dignity and force of character" almost proud of what she had done. Hester, "With a burning blush, and yet a haughty smile, and a glance that would not be abashed, looked around at her townspeople and neighbors." She was very ladylike with her dark black eyes and dark brown hair, and most people expected her to be more ashamed than she acted. As time went on, the burden of the Scarlet Letter humbled Hester. She developed a desire to serve those who were less fortunate. She became known as the "Sister of Mercy." She was labeled as helpful and kind. She had "so much power to do and power to sympathize-that many people refused to interpret the scarlet "A" by its original signification. They said that it meant "Able." She served and accomplished many good deeds for other people. The townspeople grew quite fond of Hester Prynne, and almost looked up to her, as an example. But as Hester bore the bearden of the scarlet letter "some attribute had departed from her, the permanence of which had been essential to keep her a woman." "Shame, Despair, Solitude! These had been her teachers- stern and wild ones- and they had made her strong, but taught her much amiss." Hester was transformed by the scarlet letter which she bore. ...