Hawthorne's characters often act as:
* Moral exemplars: They explore the complexities of good and evil, often showing the consequences of sin and the struggles of human nature.
* Symbolic figures: Hawthorne frequently uses characters to represent larger ideas or concepts, like guilt, isolation, or the Puritanical past.
* Psychological studies: He delves deep into the motivations and inner turmoil of his characters, revealing their psychological complexities.
* Representatives of societal forces: Characters often embody specific social or historical forces, such as Puritanism, the rise of capitalism, or the pressures of conformity.
* Agents of change: While some characters resist societal pressures, others act as catalysts for change, revealing hidden truths or challenging existing power structures.
To understand specific examples, you'll need to specify which of Hawthorne's works you are interested in. For instance:
* Hester Prynn in *The Scarlet Letter* embodies the theme of sin and the impact of societal judgment.
* Young Goodman Brown in "Young Goodman Brown" represents a man struggling with faith and questioning the goodness of humanity.
* Dimmesdale in *The Scarlet Letter* is a tormented figure grappling with guilt and hypocrisy.
By providing more context about the specific Hawthorne work or character you're interested in, I can give you a more precise and helpful answer.