Originally, the scarlet letter was meant to be a sign of shame, but instead, as the story progresses, that scarlet letter becomes a dominant symbol of identity to Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingsworth. Throughout the novel, Hawthorne portrays the feeling of alienation through these characters. The hidden meaning of the letter "A" Hester wears on her dress, Dimmesdale on his chest, and Chillingsworth on his soul, signifies loneliness and alienation. .
In Puritanical views, Hester Prynne, a married woman, committed a crime of adultery. In the beginning, on the scaffold scene when Hester is judged in front of all society; she was being separated from humanity and placed into isolation. As the woman in front of the prison door stated:.
"Goodwives," said a hard-featured of fifty, "I"ll tell ye a piece of my mind. It would be greatly for the church-members in good repute, should have the handling of such malefactresses as this Hester Prynne. What think ye, gossips? If the hussy stood up for judgment before us five, that are now here in a knot together, would she come off with such a sentence as the worshipful magistrates have awarded? Marry, I trow not!? (48). .
After she finished her term in prison, Hester and her daughter moved to a cottage in the woods, "Mother and daughter stood together in the same circle of seclusion from human society- (87). Being a single parent, and no one to refer to for advice, Hester raises Pearl, who interrogates Hester about whom her father is and where she came from. .
"Tell me, mother!" said the child, seriously, coming up to Hester, and pressing herself close to her knees. "Thy Heavenly Father sent thee!" answered Hester Prynne "He did not send me!" cried she, positively. "I have no Heavenly Father!" (90). .
In culmination, the letter "A" greatly changed Hesters" lifestyle from a flaming beauty to the waste of society. .
Aside of Hesters" rejection from the public, Arthur Dimmesdale has committed the sin of infidelity as well, but it is unknown to the people.