Puritans
...ty. The use of the term "coarser fiber" intertwines the relationship that she once had, and what it has become within the woman of the community. It has also come to my attention that when Hester compares the women of the community to their descendants, she clarifies that the women of the community have become deviant, and or immoral to their religious past. This is concluded when Hester is first brought out of her prison cell, and is introduced back into the community. When Hester is first brought out of her prison cell, the gossiping goodwives recommend much harsher punishment, from a brand on her forehead to death. Hester, who had done little wrong prior to this sin of adultery, is no longer seen as a human being, but merely as a symbol of evil and shame to the town. The Puritans, one of the most devoted groups of Bible scholars, forget one of Jesus' most famous of quotes, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." The women forget to look inside themselves before they cast their opinions upon Hester. It is not these people's right to determine Hester's punishment, not the women's nor the magistrates'; such a right is reserved only for God. Hester soon found herself very much a part of the local Church and government's heavy hand. Everyone was aware of her sinful act, for she was placed on a scaffold amidst the entire town for a painful viewing. The religious morals instilled in the Puritan society caused her much pain long after the public humiliation. Permanently "symbolized as a sinner," Hester was branded for life with a cloth letter worn on her bosom. The letter "A" that was sown onto the bosom of Hester had become a symbol of sin and was intimately associated with Hester. Because the Puritans shaped religion, social life, and the government together, each member of the society was involved in the religion, social life, and government-everybody in Boston saw the "A" on Hester's chest in the same light. Also, each member thought alike and would make sly remarks at Hester and her child. The two became objects of cruel jokes, and were made fun of as "an exhibition" every time they ventured into town. Hester furthered her interaction with society and in doing so also increased the amount of ridicule she received. With the motive to penalize herself, Hester set forth towards her social life, which she thought God had appointed to her as punishment for her sins. The punishment received by Hester in the novel was based upon the Puritan religious, social, and governmental beliefs, structured into a single ideology, which was formed from their English experience and complete commitment to religion. The Church and the government, one in the same, sentenced Hester to a life of embarrassment, first upon a scaffold, and later with the letter "A": "On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold-thread, appeared the letter A. It was so artistically done, and with so much fertility and gorgeous luxuriance of fancy, that it had all the effect of a last and fitting decoration to the apparel which she wore; and which was of a splendor in accordance with the taste of the age, but greatly beyond what was allowed by the sumptuary regulations of the colony." The cloth letter presented on Hester's chest opened a door for continuous public humiliation and involvement. By definition, the letters: fancy, fantastic, gold-thread, gorgeous luxuriance was what ultimately centered her as an outcast among her community. The letter possessed extravagant embroidery, which had only been seen upon the aged and the royalty of their English parliament. Hester herself became aware of the letter's brilliance and relevance, as the "A" characterized Hester's immoral position; for such embroidery was "greatly beyond what was allowed." Hester's sin encased her and caused the Puritan society, because of its moral and collective structure, to become the most significant aspect of her life. Because of this it was expected of Hester, from the community, and also by herself to follow the Puritan way of life, and so she did. Through the Puritan community Hester's character had evolved from the shame of town, to a well respected individual. But it is through those times of trial and tribulation, that Hester has outlined her character, as strong and virtuous. When the ordeal at the market...