Character Profile- Hester Prynne

1. Character Profile- Hester Prynne Hester Prynne is the protagonist of the classic novel, The Scarlet Letter. Because she committed adultery, Hester was forced to wear an “A” on her outerwear. She was later put in prison, during which she was forced to stand on the scaffold so everyone could see her child who was conceived through this adulteress act. Hester Prynne is married to Roger Chillingworth. While everyone thought he was “lost at sea”, Hester had an affair with Reverend Dimmesdale. Initially, Hester confided in him, but later on they fell in love. Since she ultimately became pregnant, it was hard to keep her secret. Hester is very defiant. Even though everything was very plain in Boston, she made her clothes extremely ornate. When the townspeople decided to have her wear the “A” as punishment, she designed the “A” very elegantly. Along with being defiant, Hester is very loyal. On more than one occasion, when the townspeople asked Hester about the identity of the child’s father, she refused to give any information. She also told no one that Roger Chillingworth was her husband. When Chillingworth was called to the jail for medical assistance, Hester rebuffed his request to know the name of the child’s father. Hester is one of the best seamstresses in town. Anyone needing clothes would go to Hester for her quality sewing. After committing adultery, she was banned from making wedding gowns due to the fact that she was impure. People believed that if Hester made the wedding dress, it would be tainted. At the conclusion of The Scarlet Letter people trusted Hester with their problems. Therefore, she ended up becoming an advisor instead of an outcast.

2. Conflict Analysis- Hester and Chillingworth When Roger Chillingworth goes to the prison to provide Hester with medical assistance, a conflict arises. The source of the conflict is Hester’s affair. The conflict happened because Roger had to go see her and he requested that the jailer leave them alone so he could speak with her. When he tries to provide her with a potion she refuses to swallow it, thinking it is poisonous because she had betrayed him. Roger rebukes saying he isn’t that shallow, so Hester allows him to give medicine to Pearl. At this point, Hester and Roger begin to talk about their situation. Chillingworth explains to Hester that he blames himself for the affair. “It was my folly and thy weakness”, he states on page 69. He believes it is his fault since he is so much older than she. Besides, Hester and Roger had a loveless relationship. Roger, who was constantly reading, did not give Hester enough attention. His reason for marrying her was strictly companionship. Chillingworth states on page 69, “Men call me wise. If sages were ever wise in their own behoof, I might have forseen all this.” He believes if he were actually intelligent, he would have known this would happen. However, Hester tells him on page 69, “I have greatly wronged thee.” Chillingworth requests information on the identity of the child’s father. Hester answers on page 70, “Ask me not! That thou shalt never know!” Chillingworth vows that he will find out the information and get revenge. This conflict leaves him angry and full of distaste, while Hester is left feeling uneasy. She also has another secret she has to keep, Chillingworth’s identity. The conflict is resolved by the acknowledgement of guilt from both Hester and Chillingworth.