Question

Because Hester lives with the shame of the scarlet letter and is separated from others in the community as a result, she is able to think outside the rigid confines of the Puritan

establishment. Provide examples from the text that illustrate how Hester’s thinking is
different from others in the Puritan community where she lives.

Answer 1

In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel The Scarlet Letter, Hester is able to think outside the rigid confines of the Puritan establishment by defying societal norms and turning the scarlet letter into a symbol of strength and individualism.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel The Scarlet Letter, Hester's thinking is shown to be different from others in the Puritan community through her ability to question and challenge the strict societal norms.

One example is when Hester refuses to reveal the identity of her child's father, despite pressure from the community to do so.

This demonstrates her defiance against the rigid expectations of the Puritans.

Another example is when Hester embroiders the scarlet letter on her clothing, turning a symbol of shame into a symbol of strength and individualism.

This act shows Hester's ability to think outside the confines of the Puritan establishment and create her own narrative.

Answer 2

is this correct

Step-by-step explanation:

For Hester, to remove the scarlet letter would be to acknowledge the power it has in determining who she is. ... Hester chooses to continue to wear the letter because she is determined to transform its meaning through her actions and her own self-perception—she wants to be the one who controls its meaning.