The Scarlet Letter Theme of Women and Femininity

The Scarlet Letter follows several strong women in an era when women were expected to be subordinate to their male counterparts. Hester Prynne is willing to take on her own shame while protecting the man she loves from his share of the public condemnation. She keeps his secret faithfully, for seven long years. Even when she might have been able to demand his help, she does not seek it. Alternatively, the two men in Hester's life, her husband and her lover, are cowards and hypocrites, unwilling to reveal their true identities. Women, although the "weaker sex" in this heavily religious society, prove to be incredibly strong in this novel.

1. Why does Hester choose to protect the minister from facing punishment alongside her?
2. Is Pearl’s gender a factor in the strength of character she projects?
3. Why doesn’t Hester decide to join the witches after Mistress Hibbins invites her?

Although, during Hawthorne’s time period, men were considered dominant, Hawthorne characterizes women as strong and independent (though sometimes morally repugnant), while many of his male characters are morally weak.

Even though Pearl is the youngest character in the book, and is characterized by others as a "demon" child, she demonstrates the strongest moral convictions of any main character in the book. When Reverend Dimmesdale at last proves himself capable of living up to her standards, she develops the kind of sympathetic character frequently attributed to women.