Scarlet Letter
...ypocrisy. Chillingworth espouses evil when he determines to take retaliation into his own hands. Hester comes out of her remorse through her public amends and practice of good worth. Hester feels shamed by her actions but she is able to recognize her doom as the payment of evil. Hester is admirable because she didn't sink down into a weakness of regret; instead she stood strong. Since the town shunned her, Hester committed herself to her daughter, Pearl. This is an example of how firm the rules Puritan conduct tries to regulate the life of its members. Even though the circumstances were rough, Hester was able to prosper. Another instance is when the dark-haired Hester walked out of the prison with a smile on her face. She was holding her baby and her head was high. This is in spite of the fact that she had the scarlet letter "A" convoluted into her clothing and the townspeople castigated her. The town in which the story takes place is described as very solemn and dull. The older men were in cults and wore "sad-colored garments" of black and gray. These men stood in front of the prison, which was portrayed as "the black flower of a civilized society." Hawthorne depicted the opening of the prison door as "a black shadow emerging into the sunshine." The author goes on to say that sunshine is uncommon in the settlement. This example contrasts the idea of light and dark. There is a sense of shame in the Puritan community because they are striving ...