The Scarlet Letter | Characters

At the center of Hawthorne's story is the figure of the adulteress Hester Prynne. A young woman sent alone to America by a husband much older than herself and not able to respond to her emotional needs, she is made the object of public scorn when she becomes pregnant, has a child, and refuses to name the father. Hawthorne presents her as a strong figure who is able to tolerate the prejudices of her fellow townspeople, turning her symbol of shame into a badge of honor. Unlike her secret lover, the minister Roger Dimmesdale, she is willing to admit to her actions, acknowledging that her...

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