Has The Scarlet Letter Done Its Office?

This is a tough question to answer because it can be argued both ways. I think that the scarlet letter has done its office because Hester is a totally new person now. She is helping the people who are sick in her town and helping the needy. She is also now making and sewing garments for the ones who have passed away in her town. I also think that the scarlet letter has done its office because now Hester has become a young woman. She now has to take care of her child Pearl and has to make sure that she is not influenced in a bad way.

In chapter 13, it explains all of these things mentioned above and then says "The scarlet letter had not done its office." In this chapter they also mention that some of the towns people are now mistaking the letter A for Affection instead of Adultery. This is followed up with a few lines that say things about how the towns people say that she is "their own Hester Prynne". They are now taking claim of her instead of showing hate or shame.

I also think that the scarlet letter has not done its office because she mentions how she wants to change society and how it is run with the rules and laws. At the end of the chapter, it says, " As a first step, the whole system of society is to be torn down and built up anew." I do not think that she should have a say in society anymore due to the fact that she committed adultery and that is such a high crime.

However, I think that this question could be argued the other way as well. One could say that Hester has learned a lesson and is now a better person because of this incident. She has pushed aside all of the shame and hate that people have given her and started to raise a young girl and live a life.