Hester - Predator or Prey in The Scarlet Letter :: Scarlet Letter essays

The Scarlet Letter: Hester - Predator or Prey? The Scarlet Letter had a controversial plot when it was published in 1850. The main character, Hester Prynne, and her scarlet "A" have been a symbol of adultery for over one hundred years. It is hard to determine whether Hester should be considered a predator or the prey throughout this novel. Individual upbringing and teachings could create a predetermined opinion of Hester and the sin of adultery. Hester's beauty was breathtaking. Her dark hair and brown eyes were alluring. An attractive figure drew much attention from both male and female members of the community. Jealousy caused many women to reject her friendship. Men secretively desired her although they may have pretended otherwise. Many prejudged Hester as being somewhat less than a symbol of virtue because of her outward appearance. She was never given the opportunity to develop a deep and personal friendship with anyone other than the priest. Her dependence on him drew her closer to him than she realized. Her tenderness and passion was pushed deeper within as years passed. From the very beginning she became a victim when her parents arranged her marriage to the wealthy yet notorious Roger Chillingsworth. He was a man who needed to collect things and Hester became another possession. His great wealth enabled him to lead many different lives and become whomever or whatever he chose. However, his greed and selfishness drove him to abandon Hester and destroy any love she might have had for him. Upon his return, during the platform scene, she pretended not to know him. At that moment her attraction to him still existed. The author portrayed her as being smug and almost flaunting her sin, while at the same time she noticed how handsome her husband seemed. The promiscuity of Hester's character not only instigated her affair but had also drawn her towards Roger Chillingsworth to begin with. One could perceive this as a predaceous quality. For seven long years, Hester and her bastard child Pearl suffered great anguish. Their existence in this Puritan setting was almost intolerable. Yet they went about their lives and took each bit of happiness, though few, and made the most of it. It is the tendency of many to thrive on the failing and downfall of others; that is what transpired during this period. Possibly, her actions served as a catalyst for exploitation, but how she was perceived by her fellow man was not a significant factor in her decision not to expose her lover.