# Hester Prynne — The Scarlet Letter character guide > Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mistress Prynne, Prynne, Mistress Hester Prynne, Hester, Mistress Hester, Madam Hester, Madam **First appearance:** 0003-i-the-prison-door ## Who they are Condemned to wear an embroidered scarlet letter for adultery, she endures Puritan scorn with a quiet, unsettling dignity that slowly transforms her punishment into a strange kind of power. ## Relationships ### [Pearl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/pearl) _family_ Mother and daughter, bound by deep love and the shared burden of Hester's sin. ### [Satan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/satan) _psychological_ Satan represents the constant temptation and guilt that Hester struggles with internally. ### [Arthur Dimmesdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/arthur_dimmesdale) _romantic_ Former lovers bound by their shared sin and a secret, passionate past. ### [Roger Chillingworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/roger_chillingworth) _rivalry_ Hester is trapped in a cold, vengeful marriage with Chillingworth, who seeks to destroy her lover. ### [Governor Bellingham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/governor_bellingham) _social_ Bellingham, as a colonial authority, interacts with Hester primarily in official, judgmental contexts. ### [John Wilson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/john_wilson) _social_ Wilson is a Puritan minister who publicly admonishes Hester for her sin. ### [Pearl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/pearl) _family_ Mother and daughter, bound by deep love and the shared burden of Hester's sin. ### [Satan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/satan) _psychological_ Satan represents the constant temptation and guilt that Hester struggles with internally. ### [Satan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/satan) _psychological_ Satan represents the constant temptation and guilt that Hester struggles with internally. ### [Arthur Dimmesdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/arthur_dimmesdale) _romantic_ Former lovers bound by their shared sin and a secret, passionate past. ### [Arthur Dimmesdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/arthur_dimmesdale) _romantic_ Former lovers bound by their shared sin and a secret, passionate past. ### [Roger Chillingworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/roger_chillingworth) _rivalry_ Hester is trapped in a cold, vengeful marriage with Chillingworth, who seeks to destroy her lover. ## In the story ### [The Customhouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/the-customhouse) The narrator discovers a scarlet letter and a manuscript concerning Hester Prynne in the Customhouse. ### [The Scarlet Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/the-scarlet-letter) Emerges from prison and endures public shaming on the scaffold, clutching her infant Pearl. ### [I: The Prison-Door](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/i-the-prison-door) Implied as the prisoner associated with the prison door, though not directly named. ### [II: The Marketplace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/ii-the-marketplace) Emerges from prison with Pearl, wearing the scarlet letter; displays a haughty, ladylike demeanor despite the public shaming. ### [The Recognition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/iii-the-recognition) Stands on the scaffold, enduring public shame and refusing to reveal her partner's identity. ### [IV: The Interview](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/iv-the-interview) In a state of nervous excitement after her public shaming, she is visited in prison by her husband, Roger Chillingworth, who she does not recognize at first. She refuses to reveal her lover's identity and agrees to keep Chillingworth's secret. ### [Hester at Her Needle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/v-hester-at-her-needle) Hester is released from prison and decides to stay in Boston, living in a secluded cottage and supporting herself through needlework. She experiences a disturbing new sense that the scarlet letter gives her insight into the hidden sins of others. ### [VI: Pearl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/vi-pearl) Hester watches Pearl's growth with fear and apprehension, seeing her own guilt reflected in the child's nature, and struggles to control Pearl's wild impulses. ### [The Governor's Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/vii-the-governor-s-hall) Visits Governor Bellingham to plead for custody of Pearl, wearing the scarlet letter which is reflected in the armor as grotesquely enlarged. ### [VIII: The Elf-Child and the Minister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/viii-the-elf-child-and-the-minister) Defends her right to keep Pearl with fierce determination, arguing that the scarlet letter has taught her valuable lessons for her child. ### [IX: The Leech](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/ix-the-leech) Referenced as the woman whose public shame Chillingworth witnessed; she holds the key to his secret identity. ### [X: The Leech and His Patient](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/x-the-leech-and-his-patient) Seen briefly passing through the graveyard with Pearl. Her scarlet letter is adorned with burrs by Pearl, and she appears as a figure of open shame contrasted with Dimmesdale's hidden guilt. ### [The Minister's Vigil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/xii-the-minister-s-vigil) Appears with Pearl near the scaffold, but remains silent about Chillingworth's identity. ### [Another View of Hester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/xiii-another-view-of-hester) Hester has undergone a profound transformation over seven years, becoming a self-ordained Sister of Mercy whose scarlet letter is now seen as a symbol of her strength and ability. She is intellectually independent, having cast off society's laws, and feels a deep responsibility to help Dimmesdale. ### [XIV: Hester and the Physician](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/xiv-hester-and-the-physician) Confronts Chillingworth, expresses guilt for her role in Dimmesdale's suffering, and resolves to reveal Chillingworth's true identity to Dimmesdale. ### [Hester and Pearl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/xv-hester-and-pearl) Hester considers confiding in Pearl but lies about the scarlet letter; she also expresses hatred for Chillingworth and reflects on her marriage. ### [XVI: A Forest Walk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/xvi-a-forest-walk) Resolved to tell Dimmesdale the truth about Chillingworth; walks with Pearl in the forest; discusses the Black Man and the scarlet letter. ### [XVII: The Pastor and His Parishioner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/xvii-the-pastor-and-his-parishioner) Hester initiates the meeting, reveals Chillingworth's identity, and tries to persuade Dimmesdale to flee with her. ### [XVIII: A Flood of Sunshine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/xviii-a-flood-of-sunshine) Removes the scarlet letter and cap, feeling liberated and joyful; calls for Pearl to meet Dimmesdale. ### [XIX: The Child at the Brook-Side](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/xix-the-child-at-the-brook-side) Hester retrieves the scarlet letter from the brook's edge and fastens it again to her bosom, feeling a sense of doom. She tries to coax Pearl to accept Dimmesdale. ### [The Minister in a Maze](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/xx-the-minister-in-a-maze) Remains in the forest with Pearl after Dimmesdale departs; her plan to escape with Dimmesdale is referenced. ### [The New England Holiday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/xxi-the-new-england-holiday) Hester enters the marketplace with Pearl, clad in gray with the scarlet letter. She shows a marble-like calmness, but inwardly feels a sense of triumph and regret as she anticipates leaving Boston. ### [XXII: The Procession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/xxii-the-procession) Stands in the marketplace, feeling the ignominy of the scarlet letter more acutely than before, and is confronted by Mistress Hibbins about Dimmesdale's secret. ### [XXIII: The Revelation of the Scarlet Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/xxiii-the-revelation-of-the-scarlet-letter) Supports Dimmesdale on the scaffold and holds him as he dies, still bearing the scarlet letter. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/chapters/xxiv-conclusion) Returns to Boston after Pearl's departure, voluntarily resumes wearing the scarlet letter, and becomes a respected counselor to women in sorrow. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters/hester_prynne - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_scarlet_letter_se/characters