In section one (Chapters 1-6) of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, three characters stood out. The three main characters are Hester Prynne, Roger Chillingworth and Pearl. In my opinion Hester is more of a modern type of woman because of one, the care she lacks for how her clothing looks to the public. Two she came into Boston wanting to live on her own in tell her husband came showing that she is independent. The year the story took place did not accept women living on their own in that community. Three Hester is sin counted as a crime back then and she did time for it. The sin is very shocking especially from a married women. A women standing with the masters said "This women has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die" (Hawthorne,36). The people who stood by the Puritans believed in death is the punishment for adultery. Hester also shows that she is strong because of her smile towards the hating crowd and the shame she did not show on her face while she wore a red A on her chest. Hester values keeping the identity of the father of Pearl a secret. He sinned as well and it may be a sin just as big as Hester's sin if he is married as well. Hester does not tell who he is because she does not want Roger to have revenge on the unknown man and so the man can continue living his life even though he will feel guilt. I think what motivates Hester would be her daughter Pearl because she loves her and Hester is doing what is right after she was released from jail. Hester gives back to the community by being involved in charities and sows for Pearl and herself to survive. She provides food,clothing and a life for Pearl but Hester also does needlework for success and to feel pure again. Hester is interest is sowing because she is great at it and is successful in her clothing line, everyone buys it but for marriages it is considered shameful to wear a dress designed by Hester Prynne. Hester could have started off somewhere new and live without being isolated but she chose to live there because she wanted to face her guilt and live with it. Hester's clothing were still successful even though citizens in the town still looked down on her because of her sin of committing adultery.
Roger Chillingworth is a physician and makes natural medicines for living. Roger was in town when Hester had her shameful moment in front of the town and was smart to act like he did not know her as he asked a citizen of her reason for being center of attention. Roger came in to town with an Indian man because he told her he would come. After knowing the story Roger left the scene not showing any emotions. This means that when Roger visited Hester in jail after, he truly did mean it when he said I want u to live to feel guilt so I am not poisoning u with this medicine. He also helped Pearl because he noticed her sickness and in infant shouldn't have to suffer even though it is not his daughter. His goal was to know who the father of Pearl was for revenge. Roger valued that Hester would not tell anyone he is her husband because Roger did not want to live with that shame.
Pearl is a girl born from sin and as she grew up noticed the isolation her mother and her had with the rest of Boston. She was smart and curios as she always asked about the red A and says that she does not have a father.
