The character in literature based on the life of a real historical figure is Hester Prynne from Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter." While Hester is a fictional character, her experiences of adultery and societal condemnation reflect the historical context of 17th-century Puritan Massachusetts. She is often viewed as a symbol of the struggles faced by women in oppressive societies, embodying themes of sin, redemption, and personal identity.