The Scarlet Letter

Main Characters and Their Development

• Hester Prynne – A young woman living in colonial America, found guilty of adultery and forced to wear the Scarlet Letter 'A' on her clothing, symbolizing adultery. Despite ostracism and societal condemnation, she maintains her pride, strength, and dignity, raising her daughter and exposing the hypocrisy of society.
• Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale – A respected and esteemed minister who is secretly the father of Hester's daughter and suffers deeply from guilt and shame over his actions. He struggles with moral dilemmas and his health, which gradually deteriorates under the weight of the secret he carries.
• Roger Chillingworth – Hester's husband, who arrives in the colony after a long absence and discovers his wife's infidelity. Assuming a false identity, he becomes deeply interested in uncovering the father of Hester's child. As the plot unfolds, he discovers Dimmesdale and begins to secretly torment him, becoming increasingly obsessed with revenge.
• Pearl – The daughter of Hester and Dimmesdale, who grows up as a wild and willful child, isolated from society due to her parents' sin. She often acts as a symbol and mirror of their internal struggles. Pearl plays a crucial role in the story's development, contributing to the ultimate revelation of the truth.