This chapter provides a much needed break from the tense atmosphere at Hester’s cell. It focuses solely on Hester and at what she does best; which is needlework. I appreciate how Hawthorne connects sunshine with Hester. After a few months she is released from the prison, sunshine falls upon her and makes her scarlet letter shine bright. Which I guess means that the wound is fresh as ever. Hester although has the opportunity to move away from her current location yet decides not to. I wonder what makes her stay at a place where there is nothing but haunted memories and hate left for her. Hester along with Pearl settles on the suburbs in a cottage left abandoned. To provide for herself and her little babe she uses her talent of needlework and becomes extremely popular. She does all kind off needle work except that of a veil because the society feels the bride might get the qualities of an adultress like Hester. At this point I feel Hester is lonely and looks for ways to spend her time. On one hand doing charity work and needlework on the other. I think she’s trying to keep herself occupied because as they say an empty mind is a devil’s workshop. Its good in a way. Although her talent is really appreciated by the society she is still shunned and is regarded as a symbol of shame. It’s unfortunate that even after she’s released from the prison. Her lover makes no attempt to see her it’s like he’s just left her and Pearl to die. I admire Hester’s patience and courage at this point.
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