How Does Hester's Character Change Throughout The Scarlet Letter

Some situations make us want to fit in, but it is often best to stand out. Hester and Pearl stand out in their society because of Hester’s scarlet letter, a symbol of her sin that later becomes an emblem of her abilities. The puritans victimize Hester and Pearl for standing out but Hawthorne teaches us that being different is not always a bad thing…Hawthorne uses Hester and Pearl to develop the themes of individuality and the idea of breaking free from puritan society even though these ideals are introduced before the characters. The themes of individuality and free thinking are shown in the first chapter with the wild rose bush next to the locked prison door. Pearl and the rosebush both “serve to symbolize some sweet moral blossom, that may be found along the track, or relieve the darkening close of a tale of human frailty and sorrow”(Hawthorne 34). This rosebush in front of prison doors represents the containment of the Puritan’s thoughts and abilities. They are stuck in their unforgiving,
She dressed in bright, elegant clothing that seemed “to have also a deeper meaning” (Hawthorne 57) unlike Hester and the other puritans whom wore clothes that helped them fit in. Her clothing matched her personality in that she seemed to say and do whatever she pleased. Between her actions, clothing, and sinful parents, she was singled out in society. However, she did not believe she should be dehumanized or made fun of. To protect this ideal, she would throw rocks at the kids who gathered around her. Since it is not common that three year old violently throw rocks at others, especially in their “perfect” society, Pearl makes herself stand out with these actions. Similarly, the beautiful rosebush stands out amidst the ugly landscaping and prison doors. The puritan society falls into the category of the locked up prison and ugly landscape while Pearl resembles the beautiful rosebush which receives all of the