In what way does Hester give up her individuality?

Hester is released from prison and finds a cottage in the woods near the outskirts of the city. This is where she chooses to begin to her new life, giving up her individuality and the opportunity to escape to a new life without shame in some other city. At this point, we aren't aware of why Hester makes this decision, and it's possible that she is not aware.... she none-the-less, chooses to stay and forge a new life with Pearl.... almost as if to prove to the city and its citizens that she is not what they have made her out to be.