AP Literature and Composition I: Preferred Passage from The Scarlet Letter

“Her sex, her youth, and the whole richness of her beauty, came back from what men call the irrevocable past, and clustered themselves, with her maiden hope, and a happiness before unknown, within the magic circle of this hour.” (139)

In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, he uses this passage to explore the character development of Hester Prynne through the way that the “A” consumes her. This passage is the moment when she can shine through the obstacles and hindrances that were in the way of her finding herself. The “A” had become part of her identity. It had branded her as a “adulteress.” She was labeled as a sinner. The word “irrevocable” demonstrates the judgement that people used when looking at her past. It defined her reputation in a negative fashion, causing people to look down on her in shame. This judgement and harsh nature of the Puritans was best illustrated through her wearing of the scarlet “A.” Yet, when she was in the forest at this moment in time, the “A” did not define her. It no longer consumed her identity, behavior, or appearance. The wilderness allowed for her to be free and feel liberated. She was able to regain her humanity and beauty from being in nature. The forest did not brand her reputation with a sin that she made in her past. The forest allowed for her to grow and to nourish as a woman. She was also with Dimmesdale, the man whom she loved, allowing for her best self to come out of the shadows.  Her youth and beauty returned to her because her love for him was the only thing on her mind. Hawthorne was accentuating the deep feelings that Hester had for Dimmesdale because of the way that love brightened her individuality. She was confident and prideful. Her beauty was highlighted in the forest because the freedom she could have in this safe space made her a confident, courageous woman. The forest could not limit her actions or her words because she was in a place where she could freely express herself and feel liberated. There were no boundaries in the forest, creating a sense of peace for Hester. This allowed for Hester to be glorified as a gorgeous individual who could get back in touch with her inner beauty and identity.

This passage resonated with me because I was able to truly observe Hester as a character. I did not have to read into the judgement and cruel intentions of the Puritan society. I was able to notice Hester as just a character. I could see her character as a person and not as someone who made a mistake in her past. As someone who was bullied a lot in middle school and my freshman year of high school, I found this passage relatable. Even though the Puritans never mocked her, they looked down upon her with harsh judgement. I had encountered a similar treatment from my peers when I was younger. This passage highlighted how Hester was able to achieve happiness again. Hester was able to become beautiful and confident with herself. When I moved here, I was able to meet people that understood me and liked me for me. They did not judge me or have a condescending tone towards me. I was able to find myself and grow as a person. My friends liked me for who I was, making me find my inner youth and identity. The associations with this passage are positive, illustrating how someone with a labeled reputation can still have a positive and happy life. This passage helped illuminate my final thoughts on the novel. I found that Hester’s character development was an interesting concept to see throughout the novel because Hester was able to display her true courage and strength.

-Stephanie Sandra