The Scarlet Letter 7

"Hatred, by a gradual and quiet process, will even be transformed to love, unless the change be impeded by a continually new irritation of the original feeling of hostility. In this matter of Hester Pryne, there was neither irritation nor irksomeness"(145).

This represents part of Hesters evolution over the past seven years, but more importantly, it explains how feelings like love and hatred survive and perish in an enviornment like the one in the novel. Here orwell explains that hatred is a very strong emotion, and that over time, feelings of hatred that one may have will diminish. Even today, it is very hard to keep a grudge against someone, especially when that someone has been very nice to you, which is what Hawthorne is trying to explain. That, society has changed Hesters label from sinner to "Able," because she treated people so kindly. Furthermore, Hawthorne also explains that love is a feeling that grows larger over time. Unlike hatred, love grows stronger and larger. It is hatred converted, which represents the shift in feelings from the townspeople toward Hester.

"The scarlet letter had not done its office"(150).

Previously, Hester had been contemplating on the thought of killing her daughter so that she may find happiness in heaven and not develop into devilish fiend in a world if imperfection. As stated at the beginning of the book, Hester had two symbols that represented her sin, the scarlet letter, and her daughter, Pearl. As we learned, Hester and Pearl were very close, so close that Hester refused to give away her child, even though Pearl may have been better off with another family. Although they were close, the scarlet letter branded on Hesters bosom only tightened their bond, and acted as a reminder of what she had done, and the child she now protects because of what she had done. However, now that the scarlet letter represents something else, "Able," that bond between Hester and Pearl is now weekend and Hester is now beginning to lose hope on earth for Pearl. "The scarlet letter had not done its office," because it failed to unite the two people who need eachother most in society, and failed to provide hope and reminder of Pearls life on earth.