How are Hester, Pearl, Chillingworth, and Dimmesdale each affected by the scarlet letter? What does the letter mean to each of them?

For , the letter is a
daily reminder of her sin. While she does not seem to ever express regret about her actions, the
knowledge of her sin does seem to cause her pain. However, it is also her visible link, along
with , to her co-sinner, and for this reason, in part, she would never remove it. In addition,
the letter is a daily reminder of her society's judgment. Although they ought to forgive, to
exercise compassion, and to refrain from judgment according to their religion, they do the
opposite for much of the novel. It sets Hester apart, no matter where she is, in her own sort of
circle.

For Pearl, the letter is symbolic of her mother. She seems to think
it is a good thing, as most little children think of things associated with their mothers, and
Pearl wants her own letter, even constructing one of eel grass one day by the water. When her
mother takes it off in the forest with, Pearl refuses to listen or come to her until she pins it
back on. Her mother is the only...