Scarlet Letter and sins
...erges absolutely hidden behind it. This growth of the “A” signifies the town's view of her sin, they do not see the human being behind the scarlet letter, they only see a sinner. The scarlet letter is a symbol of what society wants to see and serves as a reminder of their own personal unknown sins. The scarlet letter fulfills its purpose of Hester’s personal retribution but it fails in its reminding the town of sins, because eventually it evolves into a symbol that represents something virtuous. The scarlet letter’s change in meaning for the townspeople is an example of it not doing its office. Because of Hester’s seclusion and personality she eventually becomes a figure of assistance and helpfulness to those who need it. "Except for that small expenditure in the decoration of her infant, Hester bestowed all her superfluous means in charity, on wretches less miserable than herself, and who not infrequently insulted the hand that fed them" (87). Her helpful actions eventually change the way the townspeople view her and she reclaims a place within the community. Their opinion and vision of the scarlet letter changes into its complete opposite within less than ten years. They decide that the letter means able or even stands for something angelic or “godly”. This places Hester above their society as opposed to her former place below them. They debate forgetting her transgressions and even consider that maybe her punishment has been fulfilled as shown through her honorable actions. "It was debated whether or not the scarlet letter was to be taken off her bosom" (163). In the beginning of the story the letter struck fear and contempt into the society's hearts. It transforms from symbolizing the unfair humiliation she endured, such as standing on the scaffold at noon in public view and being berated, to a symbol that the town admires and accepts rather then shuns. Hester’s sins and her punishment for these actions (the reason for her seclusion from the rest of society), along with the treatment of society explain the manner in which Pearl is raised and the effect the scarlet letter has upon Pearls existence. "Thus the young and pure would be taught to look at her, with the scarlet letter flaming on her breast…as the figure, the body, the reality of sin" (83). The parents of the community single out Hester and Pearl as a warning for their children not to be like them. They use her as an example of the consequences of being sinner. "Children to young to comprehend wherefore this women so be shut out from the sphere of human charities…coming forth along the pathway that lead town ward; and, discerning the scarlet letter on her breast, would scamper off with a ...