The Scarlett Letter

3 Pages 759 Words

Character Analysis
In The Scarlet Letter there are four main characters; they are Hester Prynne, Roger Chillingworth, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Pearl. In this paper I will analyze each of the four characters on the following: appearance, history, traits, and motivation.
Hester Prynne was a beautiful young woman, but she tried to keep her beauty hidden. She would wear her long, luscious, dark hair in a bonnet. She would dress herself in plain dresses with the scarlet A on the outside of her bosom. She sewed the scarlet letter herself. It was made on a burgundy background with an elegant gold thread. She was married at a young age to an older man named Roger Chillingworth. Before her marriage she was a strong-willed and impetuous woman. She had a passionate nature and was independent. Hester was a compassionate material figure. She cared for the poor, and would take them food and clothing. Hester loved doing needlework. By the end of the novel she had became a prototeminist mother figure to the women of the community. The meaning of the scarlet A became known as “Able” instead of “Adulterer.” Hester’s motive was Pearl. She gave Hester a reason to live.
Roger Chillingworth was a very unusual looking man. He was an old man and had deformed shoulders. As time went by he started looking hunchback. He married Hester before moving to the New Land. He was a difficult husband. He ignored Hester but expected her to nourish his soul with affection when he decided to spend time with her. He sent her to America ahead of him. While on his way to Boston to meet Hester, he was captured by Native Americans. When he finally arrived he saw Hester standing on the scaffold as part of her punishment. He asked her not to reveal his identity so he could seek his revenge against her lover. He became the town doctor and was called the leech. Roger was unable to engage in relationships with the people of the town, because h...