The Scarlet Letter (Adaptation) characters

Appears from the start

A young woman living in Puritan Boston who has borne a child while her husband was absent. She refuses to name the father and is sentenced to stand before the town and to wear a red letter A on her clothing. Although publicly shamed, she meets the crowd with composure and protects the identity of the other person involved.

Appears from the start

Hester's infant daughter, born during her mother's husband's long absence. Pearl accompanies Hester during the public punishment and is the living reason the authorities cannot treat the embroidered letter as an abstract offence.

Also known as Mr Dimmesdale

Appears from the start

A respected young minister in the Boston settlement. He is asked to persuade Hester to reveal the name of Pearl's father, but she continues to refuse. His health and emotional strain concern the townspeople.

First appears in chapter 2

A learned physician who arrives in Boston after years of separation from Hester. He identifies himself privately as her missing husband but adopts another name and requires her to keep their marriage secret. He becomes intent on discovering the man Hester will not name.

Appears from the start

The senior civil authority in the colony and one of the officials who watch Hester's public punishment. He represents the settlement's strict legal and religious order.

Also known as Mr Wilson

Appears from the start

An elderly clergyman who participates in Hester's examination on the scaffold and urges that Pearl's father should be named. He later questions Pearl when officials consider whether Hester is fit to raise her.

First appears in chapter 4

Governor Bellingham's sister, regarded by the townspeople as a witch. She offers Hester a place in the secret nighttime world that Puritan society fears, but Hester remains tied to Pearl and refuses.

First appears in chapter 8

A sailor whose ship is preparing to leave for Europe. Hester arranges passage with him for herself and two companions, hoping the voyage will provide an escape from Boston.