convinces us that an average colonial woman could not survive under these conditions. At this point in the book Hester has shown her independence in dealing with life’s crisis, and in her style of living. The best way to understand a parents personality is to examine how they raise their children. This idea holds true when one examines closely the techniques Hester uses to raise Pearl. In this era of religious totality, independence of thought, and the teachings of those ideals commanded little respect. Doing something taboo for the times, Hester refuses to adopt puritan customs into Pearls upbringing. Most families of our colonial past raised children with a strict biblical stick. Refusing to adapt these brutish policies Hester allows Pearl to maintain a spirit of revolutionary independence. Hawthorne leads us to believe that these traits stim from both Hester’s nature, and her nurture. At the conclusion of the novel Hawthorne leaves much to be pondered. Although, one thing is clearly shown, Hesters has reforming independence. Although the novel used little imagery a reader is still left to contemplate the true magnitude of this Woman’s independence. The specific effects of her personality can always be argued, but a modern reader will never question Hesters ability to achieve success in today’s social structure. ...
