Character analysis of Hester Prynne

The Scarlet Letter by Nathanial Hawthorne is a complicated book with in depth characterization. This analysis has to do with Hester Prynne, the primary character and focuses on three of her attitudes, look, and morals.

Hester's physical look is established and referred to typically throughout the book. Hawthorne paints a picture for the reader of Hester's charm.

She had dark and plentiful hair, so shiny that it through off the sunlight with a gleam and a face consistency of functions and riches of complexion, and the impressiveness coming from a significant eyebrow and deep shiners.

(Hawthorne, 50).

The author likewise explains Hester as being of modest etiquette. "With nearly serene deportment, for that reason, Hester Prynne travelled through this part of her experience, came to a sort of scaffold, at the western extremity of the market. (Hawthorne, 52) As the story is informed, the author typically refers to Hester's mindset as well as her look.

Hester is represented as having a strong will and mindset in the Scarlet Letter.

Get quality help now

Writer Lyla

Verified writer

Proficient in: Philosophy

5 (876)

“ Have been using her for a while and please believe when I tell you, she never fail. Thanks Writer Lyla you are indeed awesome ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

She kept her spirits high even when she thought she dealt with death. She managed to preserve her strength throughout her fights.

With her native energy of character and rare capacity, it might not totally cast her off, although it had set a mark upon her, more intolerable to a woman's heart than that which branded the brow of Cain. In all her sexual intercourse with society, nevertheless, there was nothing that made her feel as if she came from it. every gesture, every word, and even the silence of those with whom she can be found in contact, indicated and often revealed, that she inhabited another sphere, or communicated with the common nature by other organs and senses than the rest of human kind.

She differed from mortal interests, yet close beside them, like a ghost that revisits the familiar foresides, and can no longer make itself seen of felt. (Hawthorne, 77-78).

Hester's attitude is directly related to her morals.

Miss Prynne's morals are not as easy to identify as her mindset. When evaluating her scenario, the reader may not be able to see that Hester has morals. The truths of her troubles lay a ground work for this belief. In reality, the novel does show that Hester Prynne has morals and worths.

In this matter of Hester Prynne, there was neither irritation nor irksomeness. She never battled with the public, but submitted, uncomplainingly, to its worst usage; she made no claim upon it, inequitable for what she suffered; she did not weigh up in its sympathies. Then, also, blameless purity of her life during all these years in which she had been set apart to infamy, was reckoned largely in her favor. With nothing now to lose, in the sight of mankind, and with no hope, and seemingly no wish of gaining anything, it could only bed genuine regard for virtue that had brought back the poor wanderer to its paths. (Hawthorne, 145)

Nathanial Hawthorne shows sin this quote that although Hester is in an uncomfortable situation, she maintains the higher standards of the society. The author uses vivid descriptions to portray the characters in the novel. When describing Hester Prynne, Hawthorne establishes the type of person she is through her appearance, attitude and morals.