Hester Prynne, the main character in the story The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, is a social outcast within her society as a result of the crime she committed; yet she does not leave. In the beginning of the story, Hawthorne hints at the fact that she feels she must repent for her sins, and the only way she can do this is by staying in her society as an outcast. Later in the story, she feels she cannot leave because of Pearl, who is tying her down into a society that Hester does not want to be a part of. Finally, Hester's never-ending love for Dimmesdale kept her in Boston, to be close with him, although Hawthorne never says this directly. Hester Prynne must stay in Boston as a result of her feelings over her sins, her daughter, and her love for Dimmesdale.

Hester, in the beginning...