Some say that Hester is, was, and always will be a sinner in God's eyes. This may be true to some extent, although I am not convinced that she must always be portrayed as a sinner. Hester did indeed commit adultery, but she also learned from her mistakes and understood her consequences. Does this recognition not redeem her? Does she not deserve a second chance? Must she ultimately pay for it by wearing her scarlet letter and becoming a social outcast for eternity? She was stared at, laughed at, talked about, and despised by her fellow peers:.
"This woman has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die. Is there not law for it? Truly, there is, both in the Scripture and the statute book. Then let the magistrates, who have made it of no effect, thank themselves if their own wives and daughters go astray!".
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This particular woman was most likely speaking on behalf of how the Puritan majority felt about the subject matter. The Puritans were a hardcore religious society; everything was built around religion, and religion was built around everything, including both the government as well as the individual laws within the community. The woman speaking in this passage felt that a small letter to be worn on the breast was not a harsh enough punishment for Hester's shameful sin. She, as well as many other Puritans, believed that punishment by death would be much more suitable for such a hideous crime. They had no mercy for those who committed a sin and did not see why there was yet no law in Scripture. The women in Hester's community actually felt threatened by Hester's presence. They thought that since she had not received a severe enough punishment, in their eyes, for her actions, that both the wives and daughters of the community might have decided to follow in the path that Hester had paved. .
On the other hand, had a Catholic seen Hester on the scaffolding with baby Pearl wrapped up in her arms, he would have instantly thought of the peaceful, holy scene of Mary and baby Jesus:.
