What does Hester Prynne symbolize?
Hester is a Fallen Woman with a symbol of her guilt. Later, when she becomes a frequent visitor in homes of pain and sorrow, the A is seen to represent “Able” or “Angel.” It has rejuvenated Hester and changed her meaning in the eyes of the community.
What was Hester Prynne’s sin?
Hester Prynne’s sin was adultery. This sin was regarded very seriously by the Puritans, and was often punished by death. Hester’s punishment was to endure a public shaming on a scaffold for three hours and wear a scarlet letter “A” on her chest for the rest of her life in the town.
How old is Pearl when Dimmesdale dies?
seven years
Does Pearl know who her father is?
First, she is the conscience of the community, pointing her finger at Hester. Pearl is also the conscience of Dimmesdale. In Chapter 3, when Hester stands with her on the scaffold, Pearl reaches out to her father, Dimmesdale, but he does not acknowledge her.
Why does Chillingworth hate Dimmesdale?
Chillingworth hates Dimmesdale. Yet his thirst for revenge means that he can never be free of Dimmesdale. So bound up is he in Dimmesdale that he eventually moves in with him, in the guise of caring for him as the kindly physician. They are so connected that Chillingworth dies less than a year after Dimmesdale.
What kind of person is Hester Prynne?
Hester Prynne is the heroine of The Scarlet Letter and a very strong woman, despite her circumstances. After she commits an act of adultery, she survives almost complete social shunning, raises her daughter alone, and finds it within her heart to do charitable works for the community that rejected her.
Why is Hester Prynne a hero?
Hester Prynne ultimately becomes the symbolism of a heroic figure. A hero is “a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities” according to Merriam Webster. Hester Prynne displays brave qualities with the will to survive under the weight of the Scarlet Letter.
Why does Hester lie to Pearl about the scarlet letter?
Hester is tempted to tell her because she has no one else in whom she can confide. Despite her pity for Chillingworth in Chapter 14, Hester reveals her deep hatred for him in this chapter. She realizes that he set off a chain of events beginning with an unnatural, loveless marriage.
What does Hester confess to Dimmesdale?
Hester tells Dimmesdale that Chillingworth is her husband. Hester, unable to bear his harsh words, pulls him to her chest and buries his face in the scarlet letter as she begs his pardon. Dimmesdale eventually forgives her, realizing that Chillingworth is a worse sinner than either of them.
Who is the hero of the scarlet letter?
Hester
Does Hester Prynne die?
Many years later, Hester returns alone, still wearing the scarlet letter, to live in her old cottage and resume her charitable work. When Hester dies, she is buried next to Dimmesdale.