The Scarlet Letter

Allison Laxa

The Transformation of Sin

The Scarlet Letter is a novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, which establishes the idea about having an iniquity through Hester Prynne’s actions. Hester was viewed as a transgressor in her region and an individual who struggles to find her real identity after she had been labeled with a letter of shame. However, Hester did not let anyone interfere her plans as she sticks to what she believes. She was competent and was able to help the poor even though she was struggling because of the punishment and criticism she faces in her daily life. Carrying the scarlet letter on her bosom made her stronger and dedicated towards her goal as it gives her the strength to achieve the expectations and acceptance of the people. In the novel The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne exemplifies how society’s view of sin can change to perfection through transgressor’s benevolence.

Hester Prynne was able to share her kindness with confidence to the society through her needlework as she makes garments for poor, which made the people convert the scarlet letter on her bosom as a perfect representation of their society. Instead of spending most of her time that could benefit her and her daughter, Hester considered herself to be “employed in making coarse garments for the poor” (Hawthorne 130). This detail demonstrates that Hester is willing to take a time off in order for her to help other people in need. Hester’s knowledge of making garments allows her to express her generosity towards dependent people. This conveys that Hester’s interest could lead her into a realization that helping the poor could give her loads of satisfaction by the end of the day. Furthermore, it allows the society to conclude that Hester is a caring, generous woman. Additionally, society had appreciated Hester’s dedication by making “garment wrought for him [the poor] by the fingers that could have embroidered a monarch’s robe” (252). This metaphor conveys that through...