The Determination of a Saint

“I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying” (Nelson Mandela). This statement completely and utterly epitomizes the character of Hester Prynne. The willpower and determination that she displays are two factors that should allow anyone to see her as a hero. Hester was able to turn her very products of sin into something positive. Her relationship with God was thoroughly challenged throughout the novel, but she prevailed. Hester was also consistently selfless throughout The Scarlet Letter. Hester Prynne is a saint simply based on these three statements alone.

Hester was willing to do whatever was necessary to make sure that her punishment wouldn’t defeat her. She took every challenge that was thrown at her and used them to overcome the very obstacles they placed in her life. For example, "‘I can teach my little Pearl what I have learned from this!’" answered Hester Prynne, laying her finger on the red token. "‘Woman, it is thy badge of shame!" replied the stern magistrate. ‘It is because of the stain which that letter indicates that we would transfer thy child to other hands.’" "‘Nevertheless,’" said the mother, calmly, though growing more pale, ‘this badge hath taught me--it daily teaches me--it is teaching me at this moment--lessons whereof my child may be the wiser and better, albeit they can profit nothing to myself’" (Chapter VIII). Many people were unsure as to whether Pearl was in a fit home with her mother, Hester. Hester could have easily allowed them to take the constant reminder of her sin away, but she finally stood up for herself. She was no longer going to sit back and allow someone else to dictate the results of her life. She fought for her daughter and won. Her daughter wasn’t the ...

... middle of paper ...

...cause she had finally realized how much Chillingworth was tormenting Dimmesdale. Hester was willing to overlook the possible anger that Dimmesdale would feel towards her and thought out about what was best for him. Putting others before yourself is unquestionably a saintlike trait.

In Conclusion, Hester proved that she was a saint throughout this book using a substantial amount of willpower and determination. She was able to change the very consequences of her sin into positive things. She managed to restore her relationship with God in the midst of constant negativity. Lastly she was able to selflessly help others despite her predicament. Hester looked like a saint, talked like a saint, and acted like a saint, so a saint she is and will forever be.

Works Cited

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. Pleasantville, NY: Reader's Digest Association, 1984. Print.