The Puritans leave Hester friendless and view her as the “common infamy, at which all mankind was summoned to point its finger” (81). The townspeople attempt to chastise Hester further by using her as a bad example for the younger girls. The Puritan children recognize her as the consequence of “sinful passion” (82). She loses her individuality and becomes nothing more than the town image of sin. Hester fears that she will die with that stain upon her reputation, without ever being given a chance to repent. Additionally, even Hester’s cottage at the outskirts of town inspires dread in the townspeople. Hawthorne describes how the Puritan children “would scamper off with a strange, contagious fear” (84) when they saw her home. The location of Hester’s home represents her position in society: she is an outcast. Throughout the beginning of the novel, the ignominy surrounding the scarlet letter defines Hester’s character and leads the townspeople to disrespect
The Puritans leave Hester friendless and view her as the “common infamy, at which all mankind was summoned to point its finger” (81). The townspeople attempt to chastise Hester further by using her as a bad example for the younger girls. The Puritan children recognize her as the consequence of “sinful passion” (82). She loses her individuality and becomes nothing more than the town image of sin. Hester fears that she will die with that stain upon her reputation, without ever being given a chance to repent. Additionally, even Hester’s cottage at the outskirts of town inspires dread in the townspeople. Hawthorne describes how the Puritan children “would scamper off with a strange, contagious fear” (84) when they saw her home. The location of Hester’s home represents her position in society: she is an outcast. Throughout the beginning of the novel, the ignominy surrounding the scarlet letter defines Hester’s character and leads the townspeople to disrespect