When a person or character makes a mistake or commits an emotional act, their life can be changed both negatively and positively. This idea takes an important contribution in The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. This novel focuses solely on Hester Prynne: as the novel's protagonist, she is outwardly "imprisoned" by alienation and isolation for committing the sin of adultery, which is contrary to Puritan belief. As the novel progresses, she faces and deals with the negative effects as well as the positive effects due to this sin. These effects that occur help support many of the overall themes of the novel and the message of sin that Hawthorne is trying to convey to the reader, one of those important themes related to identity and society. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay In the novel, Hester's sin has had various positive effects on her life. Her experience with this sin has made her a more mature person overall. When her punishment for the scarlet letter had begun, she had felt ashamed and embarrassed as everyone in the town looked at her and shamed her for carrying the letter. Yet, over time, Hester's proto-feminist thinking led her to realize that she should not accept the town's judgment of her. After her punishment is over and she is allowed to remove the letter, she refuses, saying it would make no sense. This event depicts her showing the power she has over authority, which she did not have at the beginning of her punishment. The meaning of the letter then changes from “adulterous” to “able,” as in the case where she was able to overcome her sin. She learns to accept her imperfection as a part of herself rather than struggling to overcome it, transforming it into something "beautiful". Hester also begins doing charitable work by bringing food and clothing to the less fortunate and connecting spiritually with them, making it clear that she has not let her sin bring her down and destroy her as a person. In addition to the positive effects, Hester's sin had negative effects on her life. Once the scarlet letter was attached to her, she was immediately isolated and excluded from society. The townspeople symbolized the scarlet letter "A" as something shameful and contemptible. The public nature of Hester's punishment allows citizens to compare their choices to Hester's, justifying their own bad behavior with the act "it could be worse." As a result of these judgments from the townspeople, Hester is presented as a “living sermon,” who has had her humanity taken away. Although the scarlet letter affected Hester positively, some negative effects also accompanied it. These ideas about the positive and negative effects of the Scarlet Letter on Hester lead to Hawthorne's message of identity and society. Identity is a very critical part of this novel. While, on the other side, the townspeople shun her, Hester chooses to accept her sin as part of who she is rather than struggle to overcome it. After all, his “sin” was caused by a need and desire for love. Throughout this novel, Hester demonstrates strength and defiance towards Puritan society with the letter “A”. She transforms this letter into something beautiful and refuses to make it a symbol of shame, not letting a "sin" define who she is as a human being. Along with identity, society plays an important role in Hawthorne's message. The presence of Pearl, Hester's granddaughter, shows the futility of attempts to shame and.