r and show it. But due to Hester’s maturity she continues to help the poor.Because Hester felt pain, she learned to be "warm and rich; a wellspring of human tenderness, unfailing to every real demand...she was a self-ordained Sister of Mercy."(p.156) In fact, it is ironic how a person who was shunned by a town in receiving the scarlet letter was later praised by it -- how the supposed most vile person was really the kindest and most sincere. She want from Adulteress to "Able." (p.156)Hester also shows her great emotional growth with Dimmesdale. When she is with him, it is she who is the strong one. She is the one who made the decision to leave and it was her who bore the humiliation of the town’s justice alone, without betraying her lover.Hester’s growth can be especially seen when compared to Dimmesdale’s deterioration. Hester grew because she faced her sin, while Dimmesdale slowly killed himself as a result of hiding his sin and living with guilt.Hester also embodies the theme that the truth can set you free. While Dimmesdale grew frailer every day, Hester chose to overcome the punishment imposed on her by the community. The reason she could overcome the punishment is that she had not hidden the truth as Dimmesdale did. Her salvation lied in the truth. This is evident in chapter seventeen, where Hester and Dimmesdale met in the woods after a separation of seven years. While Hester has made her peace, Dimmesdale is consumed with guilt of his double life. He does not know what to do with himself. Dimmesdale goes as far as to say. "Happy are you, Hester, that wear the scarlet letter openly on your bosom! Mine burns in secret!"(p.183) This shows the reader that the reason that Hester has been able to walk through the town and survive the seven years of punishment is that she has allowed the truth to be told.DimmesdaleDimmesdale brings about the themes that guilt can be more destructive than punishm...
