"The delightful thing about Katherine was that she grabbed life with both hands. She wanted all the life as she saw it in films. She wanted adventure and Hester was drawn into this wanting."
Before Katherine came into her life, we are given an idea of what sort of life Hester was living. She spent her time in the safety of her father's property, tending to all of the needs that arise for it. Her life didn't consist of a lot of adventure. When Katherine came her life gets completely turned upside down. She couldn't care less about her property and the financial security, spending her money recklessly whenever there is a chance. Katherine is the opposite of Hester and it could be said that this difference is what drew Hester in.
"Hester, regretting that she had to share Katherine's appearance with other people, pulled a dress from the wardrobe."
From this line it is obvious that Hester has an ill obsession with Katherine. This obsession is both physical and emotional. Katherine is almost like a toy that Hester so possessively wants to keep all to herself, without any kind of sharing.
"Her loss, brought on by her own actions, was serious, she admitted this."
Hester isn't completely delusional when it comes to the consequences of her obsession with Katherine and lack of care for anything else around her. This especially comes to light at the Borden's party where Hester is left completely helpless and alone. People, who paid her great respect and wanted to be in her company before, now ignored her. The Borden's party is a wake up call for Hester.
"She imagines the feeling of being unseen and not known about while standing in one isolated place. She would be small and safe walking and pausing to stand still low under the immense clear blue sky. Perhaps, she thinks, her fear might disappear."
The fear that Hester has is the fear of loneliness. That is one of the reasons that brought out her obsession with Katherine. She longs to be set free of this fear, to not be reminded of her loneliness.
