Hester Prynne's Resilience Within The Scarlet Letter
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthrone highlights Hester Prynne's journey of
navigating life after being punished by a strict Puritan society. She is completely outcasted and
shunned by the townspeople because of her previous missteps. However, regardless of their
values and beliefs, her community is unsuccessful at repressing her. Instead, Hester Prynne
expresses herself in meaningful ways and exhibits immense resilience instead of becoming a
victim.
Instead of living a pessimistic and unpleasant life, Hester copes with past challenges
through numerous hobbies and practices. After she is outcasted by the townspeople, she begins
sewing as an occupation. She views this work as a way to deal with her past struggles. "To
Hester Prynne, it [her needlework] might have been a mode of expressing, and therefore
soothing, the passion of her life. Like all other joys, she rejected it as a sin" (Hawthrone 77). Her
ability to overcome and deal with previous tribulations through this creative outlet makes it
transpicuous that society does not repress her. She chooses to make beautiful clothing for not
only her community, but also her daughter. Hester explores the joys of life through this hobby
and refuses to be depressed by her reputation.. Furthermore, Hester also makes an effort to
donate to people less fortunate. Initially, the townspeople criticize this habit because they were
not fond of her as a result of her previous mistakes. However, years later the negativity
dissolves because of the kindness in her own heart. It was first used as a device by the
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthrone highlights Hester Prynne's journey of
navigating life after being punished by a strict Puritan society. She is completely outcasted and
shunned by the townspeople because of her previous missteps. However, regardless of their
values and beliefs, her community is unsuccessful at repressing her. Instead, Hester Prynne
expresses herself in meaningful ways and exhibits immense resilience instead of becoming a
victim.
Instead of living a pessimistic and unpleasant life, Hester copes with past challenges
through numerous hobbies and practices. After she is outcasted by the townspeople, she begins
sewing as an occupation. She views this work as a way to deal with her past struggles. "To
Hester Prynne, it [her needlework] might have been a mode of expressing, and therefore
soothing, the passion of her life. Like all other joys, she rejected it as a sin" (Hawthrone 77). Her
ability to overcome and deal with previous tribulations through this creative outlet makes it
transpicuous that society does not repress her. She chooses to make beautiful clothing for not
only her community, but also her daughter. Hester explores the joys of life through this hobby
and refuses to be depressed by her reputation.. Furthermore, Hester also makes an effort to
donate to people less fortunate. Initially, the townspeople criticize this habit because they were
not fond of her as a result of her previous mistakes. However, years later the negativity
dissolves because of the kindness in her own heart. It was first used as a device by the
