Hester Prynne
Hester Prynne, a refined and artistic young woman, traveled alone to America ahead of her much older husband, a doctor who is believed dead after failing to arrive. Beautiful and independent, Hester engages in a love affair with the Puritan minister, Arthur Dimmesdale, leading to the birth of her child. Her punishment for adultery is a prison sentence and the public humiliation of wearing a scarlet letter on her chest. Despite the community’s scorn, Hester retains her self-respect, viewing her love for Dimmesdale as sacred rather than sinful. Living on the outskirts of society, she supports herself through her exquisite embroidery, which the townspeople admire and purchase. Over time, Hester gains respect for her acts of charity and selflessness, with the scarlet letter ‘A’ coming to symbolize her strength and ability rather than her shame.
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Arthur Dimmesdale
Arthur Dimmesdale is a charismatic young minister and Hester’s secret lover. Unlike Hester, he views their affair as a moral failing and struggles with guilt over breaking the commandment against adultery. Unable to confess his role, he suffers from intense self-loathing and despair, leading to physical and emotional decline. He frequently clutches his chest as if in pain, a symbol of his hidden torment. Hester’s estranged husband, Roger Chillingworth, exacerbates Dimmesdale’s suffering under the guise of offering help. Ironically, as Dimmesdale chastises himself in front of his congregation, they perceive him as even more righteous. His emotional turmoil ultimately makes him a central figure in the story, as he embodies the novel's themes of sin and redemption.
Roger Chillingworth
Roger Chillingworth, Hester’s husband, is a highly educated doctor from England. Much older than Hester and physically deformed, he takes on a new identity in Boston to conceal his connection to her. Upon discovering Hester’s public shaming, he experiences an internal horror masked by a calm exterior, signaling the duality of his character. Determined to uncover her lover’s identity, he focuses his vengeance on Dimmesdale, committing what Hawthorne deems the worst sin by invading another’s mind to uncover hidden guilt. His obsessive pursuit of revenge ultimately consumes him, and after Dimmesdale’s confession, Chillingworth dies, leaving his fortune to Hester’s daughter Pearl, as a possible gesture of repentance.
Pearl
Pearl, the daughter of Hester and Dimmesdale, serves as a living symbol of their forbidden passion. Known for her fiery spirit and independent nature, she is often described as an “imp,” a term used for both mischievous children and demons. Pearl appears almost otherworldly, frequently interacting with animals in the forest. She remains distant from Dimmesdale until he publicly acknowledges her, after which she forgives him, symbolized by her tears. This moment indicates Pearl’s potential to grow into a woman capable of empathy and connection, ultimately blending into society rather than opposing it.
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