Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter

               Chapter 5
   
         When Hester was released from the
      prison, the shining sun gave emphasis
      to the scarlet letter.
         Although Hester was allowed to
      leave the settlement, she chose to stay
      because it was the location of her
      child’s father, and it was the place of
      her sin where she hoped to be able to
      overcome her suffering.
         She decided to live in an abandoned
      cottage where she performed
      needlework to earn money. She sewed
      for the Governor, ministers, and others. 
      However, she was not allowed to sew
      for brides. She did a lot of charity work
      for the poor by making them clothes.
         She was like a ghost: not viewed
      often, but when seen, viewed as
      detestable and evil.  When she went to
      church, she often became the topic of
      discourse.