Final answer:
Hester's natural beauty is diminished due to the stigma and punishment she faces in the novel. To bring it back, she needs to find inner peace and self-acceptance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hester's natural beauty is diminished due to the stigma and punishment she faces in the novel. She is forced to wear the scarlet letter, which marks her as an adulteress and isolates her from society. This constant reminder of her sin and the judgment from others takes a toll on her physical appearance.
To bring back Hester's natural beauty, the novel suggests that she needs to find inner peace and self-acceptance. Over time, as she embraces her identity and finds her own strength, her exterior beauty may be restored.
Additionally, acts of kindness and compassion from others, especially from those who are able to see beyond the scarlet letter, can help uplift Hester and perhaps bring back some of her natural beauty as well.