Hester Prynne In Nathaniel Hawthorne's 'The Scarlet Letter'

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Chapter 13: After witnessing Dimmesdale’s horrible physical and psychological condition, Hester feels responsible to help him since they were both accomplices in the sin of adultery. Pearl is now seven years old, and the town’s view on Hester has gradually changed. By living purely after her trial, the town sees her only earn money to support her daughter, devote her time to help the impoverished, and donate plenty with her little income. In emergencies, Hester is steadfast in her help and ability to sympathize with others, another trait that changes the town’s perception of her. Since she is so dedicated, many no longer consider the “A” as “adultery” rather “able.” The new aura of Hester Prynne is one of respect and awe, even to the point where rumors like a Native American arrow was deflected by the embroidered “A” on her chest. …show more content…
Hester sees him as a man who poisons everything he touches with his hate and Hester is incredulous that she has memories of the two’s marriage and intimate times. Hester blames Chillingworth for committing more sins than she did. Pearl is then showed playing by the beach, she plays with the marine life and threw rocks at birds, which she feels bad about, but then she dresses herself in seaweed and makes a green letter “A,” which resembles Hester’s scarlet letter. Hester questions if Pearl even knows what the letter means, Pearl replies that it is an “A” she learned from the alphabet and has the same meaning as why Dimmesdale occasionally clutches his heart. Hester contemplated about telling Pearl the actual reason, but lied and said that she wore it for the golden thread. The purpose of this chapter is to clarify Hester’s dislike towards Chillingworth. He also emphasizes Pearl’s playful nature and hints at how Pearl is clever and surprisingly close to actually understanding what the “A” stands for, building more links between Pearl and Hester’s
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