The Scarlet Letter .. Chapter Two - The Market-Place .. Characterization Hester Prynne .. Post #6

. Hester Prynne .

Hester Prynne is a tall young woman that lives in the Massachusetts Colony, Boston in the 17th Century ["... on a certain summer morning, not less than two centuries ago..." (Pg. 47, ll. 1-2) - the book was first published in 1850].  She used to live in England with her Father and her Mother with died before she came to Massachusetts. ["... her native village, in Old England, and her paternal home;" (Pg. 54, ll. 29-30) - "...even since her death..." (Pg. 54, ll. 36-37)] and she left for Massachusetts with an older guy, that is not there, when the plot of chapter two happens.
Hester Prynne has dark hair, deep black eyes and in general her appearance is described as a beautiful young lady that stands out of the crowd. She is a very brave and self-confident person, maybe at least a bit arrogant ["... and yet a haughty smile and a glance that would not be abashed..." (Pg. 50, ll. 10-11)]
On her chest there is a scarlet letter printed, decorated with gold, that matches to her garments, which says that she is kind of a precious person and it 'seemed to express the attitude of her spirit, the desperate recklessness of her mood, by its wild and picturesque peculiarity' (Pg. 51, ll.1-3). The scarlet letter forms an 'A' and stands for adultery - she had born a child that is not from her husband.
The child is hold in her arms, as she walks down the market place and even holds it tighter as everybody looks at her. She doesn't want anybody to rip her child away from her - even if she get punished or even killed for it. ["... Hester Prynne set forth towards the place appointed for her punishment." (Pg. 50, ll. 35-37)]