The community's feelings toward Hester Prynne in Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" are largely negative and judgmental. They view her as a symbol of sin and moral failure due to her act of adultery, which is publicly marked by the scarlet letter "A" she is forced to wear. This ostracism leads to deep social isolation for Hester, though some individuals, like Dimmesdale, show sympathy for her plight. Overall, the community embodies the harsh Puritanical values of the time, showing little compassion for her struggles.
The women in the community are judgmental and harsh towards Hester because of her sin of adultery. They view her as a sinful and immoral woman, shunning her and treating her as an outcast. Their attitude is one of condemnation and self-righteousness.
No, Hester does not follow the practice of sparing the rod in The Scarlet Letter. She believes in showing love and compassion towards her daughter, Pearl, instead of using physical punishment as a means of discipline. Hester's approach is at odds with the strict puritan beliefs of her community.
In The Scarlet Letter, the settlement's sentiment towards everything is meant to be hypocritical and to hold double standards. The townspeople try to have Pearl removed from Hester's care. By the novel's end, Hester has become a protofeminist mother figure to the women of the community.
Hester decides to stay close to her town because she feels a sense of obligation and responsibility towards the community that she has affected. She also wants to continue to play a role in her daughter's life and be present for her as she grows up. Lastly, Hester finds purpose in her isolation and redemption in staying close by to face the consequences of her actions.
The town has changed in attitude towards Hester. Over time, Hester's continued charity, respect, and dignity have softened the hearts of the community. The town now characterize her scarlet letter as "able" rather than adultery.
The bond servants react with curiosity and wonder towards Hester and The Scarlet Letter. Some are sympathetic towards Hester's plight, while others judge her for her perceived sin. Overall, there is a mixture of compassion and judgment in their reactions.
Chillingworth's attitudes towards Hester are complex. Initially, he seeks revenge and shows anger towards her for betraying him. However, as the story progresses, his feelings towards her become more twisted, combining elements of obsession, manipulation, and a desire for control. Ultimately, he becomes consumed by his need to torment Hester and Dimmesdale.
She doesn't...
Hester's pastor in Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel "The Scarlet Letter" was Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale. He was a respected and devout clergyman in the Puritan community, with a secret connection to Hester that is revealed as the story unfolds.
promise not to exact his name as her husband.
The only ones who made no use of Hester's services in "The Scarlet Letter" were the officials and leaders of the Puritan community who looked down on her for her sin of adultery. They ostracized her and refused to engage with her, leaving her isolated and marginalized in society.
Hester Prynne felt dread about her daughter, Pearl, because she was worried about the influence of Pearl's unconventional upbringing on her development, as well as the judgment and exclusion Pearl might face from society due to her illegitimate birth and isolation from the community.