The yellow star of Jews was a temporary brand during the holocaust. Just As Hester had made the letter look more elegant she showed that she was not afraid of the mark but she was independent and proud of her mark. Both were marked as a symbol for surviving a cruel, judgemental world.

The branding of cows shows that of the townspeople gathering to watch her come out with the letter on, as they do by branding the cows with a hot iron which will permanently alienate them for the rest of there lives.