What Does Hester Prynne Symbolize In The Scarlet Letter

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In the past, women were seen as property, who did not deserve the right to do anything of their own free will. Over time, the idea of women as properties began to change as women stood up for what they believe in with their own strength. As a result, a collection of movements and theologies that aim to defend the rights of women called feminism started to rise. Hester Prynne, a character of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, is one of the most debatable characters of feminism. According to an NPR interview titled “Hester Prynne: Sinner, Victim, Object, Winner”, Hester is a strong woman that fights her sin and punishment heads on; she is an example of what other feminists wants to be like. Hester Prynne is a role model for feminists today as she fights for her rights and goes against Puritan traditions. In the Puritan society, women are seen as inferior beings to men with no rights to express their opinions. In the case of Hester Prynne, she fought against the churchmen during the time when they were debating …show more content…

In the beginning, it was a symbol of shame, ignominy, and guilt. Although Hester openly accepts her sin, she will not let it define who she is as a person. Through her human nature and personality, “the symbol of her calling… They said it was meant Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman’s strength.” Through her struggles and perseverance, Hester changes the meaning of the scarlet letter and is recognized by the Puritan community as more than just a sinner. Hester’s experience with the scarlet letter has given her a chance to grow and see the world in a whole new way. She is able to sympathize with other women who are also harboring a sin. As a result, “people brought all their sorrows and perplexities, and besought her counsel” (180). In the end, Hester Prynne’s own ideal enabled her to help the women of her times and shape the way for modern

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