Hester Prynne's Growth through Sin in The Scarlet Letter

The story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden is the first case of knowledge being gained through a sinful experience. Many years later this same theme is again depicted in the novel The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, in which Hester goes through much persecution as the result of a sinful incident. This persecution leads to her personal growth, gained sympathy, and expanded understanding of others. With these gained lessons however, comes the realization that these ideals are unattainable while living in a state of purity.

Through much persecution, alienation, and discrimination Hester Prynne was forced to grow as a person, despite the fact that her neighbors continued to go on as they were. As early in her persecution as when she is forced to stand on the scaffold, Hester's growth can be detected. The book describes this demonstration of growth:

"...the mother of this child stood fully revealed before the crowd, it seemed to be her first impulse to clasp the infant closely to her bosom; not so much by an impulse of motherly affection, as that she might thereby conceal a certain token, which was wrought or fastened into her dress. In a moment, however, wisely judging that one token of her shame would but poorly serve to hide another, she took the baby on her arm, and, with a burning blush. and yet a haughty smile, and a glance that would not be abashed, looked around at her townspeople and neighbors."