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Essay / The Scarlet Letter - 2428
In The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne analyzes Hester, Dimmesdale and Chillingworth. In the story, Hester is the main character of the story and was named Mistress Prynne (Hawthorne 70). Dimmesdale, in the story, was called Reverend Dimmesdale (Hawthorne 90). Chillingworth was originally named Roger Prynne, but later in the story he changed his name to Roger Chillingworth. In the story Hester committed adultery with Dimmesdale against Chillingworth and at first she was punished and sent to prison and later she was able to get out of prison but with the exception of having to wear the letter A on her chest at every time she went out. in town. In The Scarlet Letter, Hester is the main character. Hester is called “Mistress Prynne” (Hawthorne 70). The Scarlet Letter also mentions that she is holding her three-month-old baby, Pearl, who winked and turned her head in the rays of the sun (Hawthorne 71). She is described as having elaborate embroidery and fantastic gold thread "letter A" flourishes on the breast of her dress (Hawthorne 71). Hester was also a great woman (Hawthorne 72). Her hair was dark and full, her hair shone as the sun shone on her hair (Hawthorne 72). Hester had a marked forehead and dark black eyes (Hawthorne 72). Hester Prynne is often described as a lady-like person (Hawthorne 72). Hester's role in the story is described as having slept with a priest and was accused of adultery and was punished by having to wear a scarlet letter "A" on her chest. of her dress (Hawthorne 71). Hester Prynne's punishment is to go to prison and then with her child, Pearl, to go and appear on the platform in front of everyone wearing her scarlet letter on the chest of her dress (Howells). Hester...... middle of paper ......1. Gale Literary Resources. Internet. February 2, 2012. Reid, Bethany. “Narrative of the captivity and redemption of Roger Prynne: rereading the scarlet letter.” Studies in the Novel 33.3 (Fall 2001): 247-267. Rep. in 19th century literary criticism. Ed. Jessica Bomarito and Russell Whitaker. Flight. 158. Detroit: Gale, 2006. Gale Library Resources. Internet. February 3, 2012. Symons, Arthur. “Nathaniel Hawthorne.” Studies in prose and verse. EP Dutton & Co., 1904. 52-62. Rep. in 19th century literary criticism. Ed. Laurie Lanzen Harris. Flight. 2. Detroit: Gale Research, 1982. Gale Library Resources. Internet. February 3, 2012. Tamkang Review. “John Updike’s S.” Tamkang Review 25.3-4 (Spring-Summer 1995): 379-405. Rep. in 20th century literary criticism. Ed. Janet Witalec. Flight. 126. Detroit: Gale, 2002. Gale Library Resources. Internet. February 2. 2012.