Hester-Predator Or Prey In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter: Hester - Predator or Prey?

The Scarlet Letter had a controversial plot when it was published in 1850. The main character, Hester Prynne, and her scarlet "A" have been a symbol of adultery for over one hundred years. It is hard to determine whether Hester should be considered a predator or the prey throughout this novel.

Individual upbringing and teachings could create a predetermined opinion of Hester and the sin of adultery. Hester's beauty was breathtaking. Her dark hair and brown eyes were alluring. An attractive figure drew much attention from both male and female members of the community. Jealousy caused many women to reject her friendship. Men secretively desired her although they may have pretended

Her bitterness was attributed partly to the loneliness and isolation she suffered. Hester fell prey to gossip and became another victim of a societal judgment. The true villain in all of this was the priest, Arthur Dimmesdale. He allowed a woman , whom he supposedly loved, to be publicly ridiculed and humiliated without coming forward and confessing his involvement. Hester always had hope that her love would not be unrequited. Her character was of strong nature and her love for the priest was excessive. One might consider her faith in a man as unworthy as Arthur Dimmesdale to be a major flaw in her character, but it also proves that passion can cast a shadow of sin on each of our souls. Love, at times, can blind one to the blemishes within another being. However, it would appear that Hawthorne's heroine entered the relationship with Arthur Dimmesdale with eyes opened wide. Once again, Hester stood alone to face the consequences of her infidelity and his

Her future with the priest was never to be. But it proved to be enough for her that Arthur Dimmesdale finally faced the townspeople who had placed him so high on his pedestal, and confessed his sin. Her unending pursuit of him, in spite of his vow of chastity and God's law, eventually led to his untimely demise. Hester's actions created a misinterpreted image of her. An obsessive love robbed her daughter of the freedom of childhood and created the loss of an innocence that comes only with youth. Therefore, the answer to the previous question of whether Hester was the predator or the prey is answered; she showed characteristics of both. Her actions proved time and again that she fed off the stigma accompanying the scarlet letter but fell victim to its effect. One's perception of Hester's personality and deeds might have changed throughout the novel. Many might feel that under no circumstance should one disobey or disregard the commandments of our Lord. That might prove to many that Hester was an enemy of fidelity and commitment and displayed immoral behavior. However, many could view her crime of passion as an incident caused from weakness of moral character, but find that each of us should show compassion and forgiveness . Quite possibly her character needed an acceptance from her peers that could not be given due to the elements of