The Metamorphosis of "A" in The Scarlet Letter Six Works Cited In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, the meaning of the letter "A" changes over the course of novel. This change is significant as it indicates the personal growth of the characters and the enlightenment of the citizens. At the beginning of the novel, the letter "A" is a symbol of sin. As the story progresses, the "A" slowly transforms into a symbol of Hester's strength and ability. By the end of the novel, the letter "A" has undergone a complete metamorphosis and represents the respect Hester has for herself. The letter "A", worn on Hester's bodice, is a symbol of her adultery against Roger Chillingworth. This letter is to be worn with shame and make Hester feel unwanted. "Here, he said to himself, had been the place of his guilt, and here should be the place of his earthly punishment...". Hester is ashamed of her sin, but chooses not to show it. He committed this sin in the heat of passion and fully admits it because, although he is ashamed of it, he also received his greatest treasure, Pearl, from it. She is a very strong woman to be able to resist what she has to face so well. Many would flee Boston and seek a place where no one would know of his great sin. However, Hester chose to stay, demonstrating a lot of strength and integrity. Any woman with enough courage to stand up to a city that despised her very existence and to stay in a place where her daughter is called a "devil's child" is a very tough woman. The second means that the letter "A" he took was "skillful." Citizens who once condemned her now believed that her scarlet "A" represented her ability to create beautiful embroidery and her selfless assistance to the poor and sick. "The letter was the symbol of her calling. Such willingness was found in her - so much ability to do and ability to sympathize - that many people refused to interpret the scarlet "A" with its original meaning. "At this point , many citizens realized the devout character Hester possessed." Do you see that woman with the embroidered badge? It is our Hester, the Hester of the city, who is so kind to the poor, so helpful to the sick, so comforting to the afflicted!" The townspeople soon began to believe that the badge was to ward off evil, and Hester grew to be much loved by the townspeople..