What is significant about Hester’s position in the community now that years have passed?

Initially the Scarlet letter was meant to publicly shame Hester. Hester, however, embraces her sin. She loves her daughter Pearl as a living embodiment of her sin and her love. Hester re-makes herself using her sin a fertile soil. Eventually the people of the village begin to view Hester as a merciful angel and a "success story" of the village. Hester's "A" comes to represent ability and mercy rather than the sin of adultery.