Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of The Scarlet Letter, establishes his opinions towards women in many ways through his strong and passionate characters. Despite this clear incorporation, when does an author's opinion become confused with reality? Hawthorne clearly presents the novel's heroine, Hester Prynne, as a contradiction to the typical woman of the 1800s. Hawthorne sees Hester as a strong woman and presents her actions and characteristics as righteous; however his opinion of a strong woman is wrong. Hester's seemingly honorable actions can be interpreted as unjust by a modern reader. This shows the amount of progress women have made in society since the novel was first written. Hawthorne has strong opinions about what she believes a strong woman should be. In the 1800s, when The Scarlet Letter was written, women didn't have many rights. They were not seen as an independent entity outside of the husband because once married, the husband and wife are considered one legal entity. Furthermore, men were responsible for their wives, as he had to “answer for her bad behavior… [and was] entrust[ed] with the [power] to restrain her… with as much restraint as a man [was] permitted to correct his wives. servants or children” (Blackstone 249). Hawthorne uses the role women held in 1800s society to create Hester Prynne with contrasting characteristics that he believes make her a strong woman. He uses words like “bold…courage…wild…intellect…free…[and] strong” to describe Hester as a virtuous woman (158). Hester first showcases this independence when she "repels [the beadle], with an action marked by natural dignity and strength of character" before mounting the scaffold for the first time (57). H... half of the paper... h counters the idea that Hester is a strong woman. Hawthorne's presentation of Hester as a strong woman served as a model of what the ideal woman should be like. Thanks to Hawthorne's character, Hester Prynne, the role of women in society has changed dramatically over the years to create an existence equal to that of men. Works Citedde Tocqueville, Alexis. “From How Americans Understand the Equality of the Sexes” (1835).” The Scarlet Letter: Second Edition. Ed. Ross Murfin. Massachusetts: Bedford/St. Martin, 2006. 249-250. Print.Blackstone, William. “From Husband and Wife (1795).” The Scarlet Letter: Second Edition.Ed. Ross Murfin. Massachusetts: Bedford/St. Martin, 2006. 248-249. Print.Hawthorne, Nathaniel. “The Scarlet Letter”. The Scarlet Letter: Second Edition. Ed. Ross Murfin. Massachusetts: Bedford/St. Martin, 2006. 21-202. Press.