Physical Attributes:
* Dark hair: Her hair is described as "dark and rich" with "a certain depth of shade, which, in the imperfect light of that age, might have been mistaken for black."
* Sparkling eyes: Her eyes are noted for their "brightness and vivacity," capable of both deep sorrow and fierce determination.
* Rosy complexion: Her skin is described as having a "rich, though somewhat too brilliant complexion," indicating health and vitality.
* Graceful figure: She is described as having a "figure of perfect elegance," with "a certain charm of natural grace, which it would have been almost impossible to describe, but which made itself felt at once."
The Scarlet Letter:
* Embroidered letter: The "A" is "most delicately embroidered and fantastically adorned with the nicest skill of needlework," indicating a certain artistry and perhaps a hidden rebellion against societal norms.
* Crimson color: The scarlet color symbolizes Hester's sin, passion, and the fiery nature of her spirit.
* Significance: The letter becomes a symbol of her ostracization, her defiance, and her unwavering strength.
Overall Impression:
Hester is portrayed as a woman of both beauty and strength. Her appearance is both alluring and captivating, but also marked by the visible symbol of her sin. The contrast between her beauty and the scarlet letter emphasizes the complex and conflicted nature of her character. She is a woman who embodies both the pain of societal judgment and the resilience of the human spirit.