Conflict analysis – Hester Prynne

1. Conflict analysis – Hester Prynne Hester Prynne, the main character in The Scarlet Letter, is in a conflict with the puritan society. Hester has committed adultery and now fights with the towns people constantly. She is forced to wear a scarlet colored “A” on her clothing. This “A" stood for adultery, which was the crime she committed. The towns women make remarks such as “At the very least they should have put a brand of a hot iron on Hester's forehead.” This quote is on page 45. The conflict begins because Hester has a baby to someone other than her husband. She refused to name this man. In the puritan society adultery is considered a sin and unlawful. She was constantly ridiculed and had to stand in the market square, while wearing the scarlett letter A. She stood out there to be embarrassed and for everyone staring at her to cast judgment upon her. On page 52 the town-crier says “Mistress Prynne shall be set where man, women, and child may have a fair sight of her brave apparel, from this time to an hour past meridian…Come along madam Hester show your scarlett letter in the market place.” Everyday when Hester would walk outside with baby Pearl the towns people would say things and stare because puritans don’t believe in adultery. Hester had a baby to another man other than her husband and people believe she should be punished. On page 49 a towns lady said “This woman has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die...” Many people are mad because she refuses to name Pearls father.

2. Conflict analysis- Hester Prynne Hester's appearance began to change. On page 77, “Hester sought not to acquire anything beyond a subsistence, of the plainest and most ascetic description, for herself…” Also Hester began to help the poor. On page 77, it says “Hester bestowed all her superfluous means in charity, on wretched less miserable than herself, and who not un-frequently insulted the hand that fed them.” Hester, being a seamstress, made the prettiest scarlett letter. Her embroidery was amazing. On page 51, one female spectator said “She hath good skill at her needle, that is certain. But did ever a women have such a brazen hussy, contrive such a way of showing it!” She didn’t attempt to hide the scarlett letter nor the baby. Hester was forced to wear the letter “A” for the rest of her life and she wore it proud, accepting the mistake in the her past.