"Hester Prynne, therefore, did not flee. On the outskirts of the town, within the verge of the peninsula, but not in close vicinity to any other habitation, there was a small thatched cottage. It had been built by an earlier settler, and abandoned, because the soil about it was too sterile for cultivation, while it comparative remoteness put it out of the sphere of the social activity which already marked the habits of the emigrants." (page 61)
One aspect in the first half of the novel that stood out to me was the fact that Hester decides to stay in Massachusetts when she is released from prison. Hester, who has faced humiliation and has suffered immensely, decides to stay. To me, this says a lot about Hester's character. Hester chooses to stay but also secludes herself from everyone else. Hester truly feels guilt from her past mistakes and is an example for all of a woman who has been struggling. Despite her alienation and continuous judgement from her neighbors, Hester continues to stay firm in her decision to stay. Hester proves to be determined to prove to herself rather than her neighbors. Rather than running away from the judgments, Hester stays and shows her strength and true character. Personally, I think that this simple action really defines Hester and what she will continue to do in the rest of the novel.
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