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The scarlet letter proved to be more than just a symbol of ones sin. It soon had the whole town in an uproar and soon became the talk of the whole town. At first the scarlet letter represents adultery but after time, it symbolizes many reasons, some positive but others negative. The greatly embroidered scarlet letter impacts Hester's life by surrounding her with shame. The scarlet letter not only lowered her self-esteem but also excluded Hester from society. It could not entirely cast her off In all her intercourse with society, however, there was nothing that made her feel as if she belonged to it, (p. 87) The letter caused her to have a shameful feeling around society and for her to become secluded.
The constant reminder of her sin was Pearl and the scarlet letter sewn on her chest. Even though excluded for the most part, hest attempted to be seen and interact with others. Hester Pyrnne went one day to the mansion of Governor Bellingham with a pair of gloves, (p. 101) Hester could not be confined to just her cottage with Pearl. Having no supply of food or money, she was forced to go out into public to collect these things, thus interacting with others. It was only human of Hester to want to interact with others, only Pearl was not enough to keep her sane.
The scarlet letter caused Hester to walk through town in shame and with her head held low. Behold, verily, there is the woman of the scarlet letter Come, therefore, and let us fling mud at them, (p. 103) The scarlet letter allowed people to vent their own sins on to Hester's, this made her feel unequal towards the public. The shame and feeling of guilt that came with the scarlet letter was displayed by Hester's interactions with the towns people and those closest to her. Pearl stands for the meaning of the letter A and is a symbol of sin.
Seeing and being with Pearl every minute made Hester's sin impossible to ignore. I leave thee alone, alone with thy infant[ Pearl], (p. 81) Not only was Hester reminded of Pearl by herself, but others made sure that Pearls presence was known. The sight of Pearl always by Hester's side was more than enough reminder of Hester's sin. Pearl was involuntarily brought into Hester's sin. He did not send me! She cried positively.
I have no Heavenly Father, (p. 100) Pearl had every right to know who her father was, and lead a normal life, Hester's sin did not allow Pearl to do so. Pearl could have had the letter A on her chest and it would have made no difference. She was a symbol of sin due to her mother, Hester. Pearl was looked down at as much as her mother Hester.
There was a witchcraft in little Pearls eyes, and her face, as she glanced upward at the minister, (p. 150) People looked at Pearl as they would have looked at Hester, as if they were insignificant and worthless. Pearl as a living example of Hester's sin and it could be seen by the towns peoples reactions toward her. Everyone in the town formed their own negative opinion of the A, but as time passed their interpretations began to change. New comers to the town did not know the real meaning of the A and learned of it through word of mouth. Common in those days than to interpret all meteoric appearances, and other natural phenomena that occurred from a supernatural source, (p. 150) Rumors started to as why Hester had the letter A on her chest. The scarlet letter was blamed for many of the troubles in the small town.
Rumors of the scarlet letter would further destroy Hester's chance of a normal life. People began to feel as if they too had the scarlet letter on them or in their thoughts. Hester, that wear the scarlet letter openly upon your bosom! Mine burns in secret, (p. 183) As people began to interpret their own meaning of the scarlet letter, it took on personal meanings of their own. The many different meanings of the scarlet letter show how it impacted others, not just Hester.
The scarlet letter was apart of peoples lives so much they began to have visions of it. Beheld there the appearance of an immense letter- the letter A- marked out in lines of dull red light, (p. 151) No matter what a persons interpretation of the scarlet letter was, to many it meant far more than sin on just Hester alone. The scarlet letter was felt by many and kept in secret. Hester was the only one with physical proof of her sin marked by the scarlet letter.
The scarlet letter took on many meanings in the town, even though only standing for Hester's sin. The personal life of Hester soon became the downfall of the town with much evidence all around. This goes to show how one minor incident can turn into something far greater.
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Research essay sample on Made Her Feel Scarlet Letter
