In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne's scarlet token liberates her more than it punishes her. First of all, Hester's soul is freed by her admission of her crime; by enduring her earthly punishment, Hester is assured of a place in the heavens. Also, though her appearance is much hampered by the scarlet letter, her mind is freed by it, that an intellectual passion rises from her isolation and suffering. Finally, it defines her …
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…of Satan; sent to teach a lesson, rather than to punish; a holy brand, rather than a mark of shame and ignominy. It was given to Hester as a means of atoning her sin and achieving salvation, and as the scarlet letter 'A' rests on her sin-stained heart, it mends instead of causing more damage. Its scarlet fire thus exorcises Hester Prynne's personal demons, so that in the Afterlife she can finally attain her peace.