D. 12. Text 1 In The Scarlet Letter, the character of Hester Prynne is marked by the scarlet letter "A" which signifies her sin and public shame. Throughout the novel, Hester reflects on her punishment and the way it shapes her identity.both in her own eyes and in the eyes of the Puritan community. Text 2 In a conversation with her fellow townspeople, Hester repeatedly demonstrates her internal strength and defiance despite the harsh judgment placed upon her. She refuses to let the letter define her completely and instead, she works to redefine her own identity in the face of this societal imposition. Based on the texts how would the author of Text 1 most likely respond to Hester's defiance in Text 2: By arguing that Hester's refusal to fully accept her punishment prevents her from achieving true redemption. By suggesting that Hester's actions show her unwillingness to fully conform to the expectations of the community. E By critiquing Hester's actions as undermining the importance of societal punishment in restoring moral order. E By emphasizing that Hesters internal strength makes her defiance an important aspect of her character development.