letter A scarlet letter
...a guilty passion.”(81) The A is a punishment yet also pride. There were various symbols of A. The first A was for Adulterer for her crime. This was to be a physical reminder of her affair with Dimmesdale. The A was to humiliate her to the point where she would confess her hidden lover’s name. The A for adulterer took “her out of the ordinary relations with humanity and inclosing her in a sphere by herself.” Later the A began to symbolism Able. Hester was able to face humiliation with her mouth still shut. The symbol became powerful in society. “It is our Hester, the towns own Hester –who is so kind to the poor, so helpful to the sick, so comfortable to the afflicted.” Hester was able to change society’s view of her. She remained strong. Hester was able to raise a daughter, become an important seamstress in the community and set an example. The A erased her sin and she was able to again be pure. Angel. On the night of Dimmesdale’s night out there was a meteor in the sky, a big red letter A. It was said to be for Governor Winthrop who died that night. Governor Winthrop was seen as pure to the community. The A in the night sky was similar to the A on Hester’s breast. Just as Hester’s A, it was big and red, and with Hester again pure the A was hers. “The Angel and apostle of the coming must be a women indeed, but lofty, pure and beautiful and wise, moreover not through dusky grief but the ethereal medium of joy.” Hester was destined to bear this punishment as was Jesus and on the night Hester was again pure an A shot through the sky. Religion deals with this story greatly and the A and religion go together. Hester even though committed a crime was destined to and therefore resymbolises the A. Dimmesdale and Hester committed adultery together. Both were taken hold of by Chillingworth. Hester remained strong and marked with the A while Dim...