In the beginning, Hawthorne goes into great detail to describe the elaborate, intense, beautiful letter A that Hester makes. This type of ornate decor was highly unusual, even looked down upon, in the Puritan community where she lived. This relates to Hester herself; she was beautiful, intense, and stood out in her community-and even did things that were looked down upon.
Later however, Hawthorne describes how the letter A comes to symbolize something different to the community; through Hester's unceasing good works, she becomes a symbol of good, of reverence to many. Likewise, the A's bright colors and ornate stitchery are seen as a symbol of bright goodness and angelic tokens of kindness.
From beginning to end, the A symbolizes Hester's progression-from rejected but beautiful outcast, to a respected figure of mercy.
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