Hester’s views of love and sexuality were met with shame and disgust. Modesty was a quintessential characteristic of women of the time. She defied these standards and showed off what set her apart from everyone, what was meant as a punishment for her, she wore with an ostentatious grace. John possesses a strong personality that greatly contradicts the time he lives in. Then, men were supposed to be humble and hardworking. Although John Proctor held these traits, his unfaithful tendencies, temper, and …show more content…
He truly loved his wife, and his internal suffering is seen clearly throughout the text, Hester also loved Reverend Dimmsdale. So much so that even though he did not stand with her and confess she defended him from Chillingworth’s efforts at retribution. Also, she would not reveal his name no matter how hard government and church officials pressed. Hester regretted her sin but instead of confessing who her fellow sinner was, chose to bear the burden of sin alone in the form of the red, capitalized letter “A” upon her chest. Hester, much like John sees her sin as a shame she has to carry each day,. But Hester is constantly reminded of fit in the forms of her peculiar daughter Pearl and the scarlet “A”. John, however is reminded of his sin only upon seeing Abigal or when his wife recounts his