How has Hester's appearance changed over the years?

• A. She has remained exactly the same in appearance.
• B. She has adopted a brighter, more vibrant look.
• C. She has become more frail and her hair has dilapidated, and her features have deteriorated.
• D. She has grown more robust and her hair thickens.

Answer: (C)

Time and social judgment have left visible marks on Hester as the years pass. Early on, she is described with striking beauty and presence, even beneath the scarlet letter. But as time goes by, Hawthorne emphasizes aging and wear: she grows pale and frail, her figure softens, and her once-full hair loses its vitality while her features show the fatigue and sorrow of long exile. The physical changes reflect the heavy burden of guilt, constant judgment, and isolation she endures in the Puritan community. This is why describing her as more frail with dilapidated hair and deteriorated features fits best—time and punishment have taken a toll. The other possibilities don’t align with the text, which portrays decline rather than constant sameness, brightness, or growing vitality.