In chapter thirteen of The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne says “The scarlet letter had not done its office” (145, l.15). The scarlet letter not only failed to complete its mission, but achieved the opposite goal. One can agree with Hawthorne’s assessment by looking at three different areas in which Hester flourished because of the scarlet letter: independence, choice, and strength. It is through these areas that Hester re-established herself as a genuine member of her community. One of the goals of the scarlet letter was to make Hester repent for her sins, and feel sorry for her actions. The letter instead gave her independence. As Hawthorne said “the mind of Hester Prynne herself, was power and peculiar. All the light and graceful foliage of her character had been withered up by this red hot brand, and had long ago fallen away, leaving a bare and harsh outline, which might have been repulsive, had she possessed friends or companions to be possessed by it.” (142, L. 26-30) The letter taught Hester to take other people’s thoughts, beliefs, and opinions of her life and let them take the appropriate measure of influence on her life. Hester doesn’t let the townspeople's opinions define her, she wore the letter with pride. The letter didn’t defeat her, it empowered her to live an upright life with the thought of Pearl always in the back of her mind. The fact that Hester started sewing to make her own living shows independence. If Hester hadn’t been pushed out on her own, she wouldn’t have started sewing to generate a living. One can also see Hester’s independence in the way she carried herself. She did it so well, even under all the criticism. This eventually earned her respect with the townspeople. The scarlet letter attempted to weaken Hester, but instead, it gave her new ability and strength. Hester fed the poor, nursed the sick, and offered aid in times of trouble. Hester self ordained herself a sister of charity. He