The Scarlet Letter

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1. 
   sullymonster Teacher
   Community / Jr. College

   A in the beginning simply stands for adultery.  It is the mark that is put upon Hester which alienates her from the community, earning her their condemnation and disrespect.

   When Hester, Dimmesdale, and Pearl are on the scaffold late at night, they see an A shining in the sky.  The members of the community see that A as being a sign of "angel".  Dimmesdale is seen by the community as being that angel, but in truth, it is Hester that is the angel.  Although she has been alienated, she is not a hypocrite.  She is true to herself and to Dimmesdale, not revealing his name even though it would help her.  She is helpful to the town members, even though they ridicule her.  She is sorry for her sins, and makes atonements for them.

   Finally, as time passes, the A that is on Hester's chest begins to stand for "able."  This is because of her ability to help others and to stand strong in the face of discrimination. 

   Sources:

   http://www.enotes.com/scarlet/

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   Posted by sullymonster on Thursday May 8, 2008 at 5:54 PM