In this chapter, the crowd watches as a condemned Hester Prynne (the protagonist) emerges from a prison with her child to be placed on a scaffold (a raised platform) to be publicly humiliated as a part of her punishment for committing adultery. Also, Hester has an A on her dress, which is also a part of her punishment, that means Adulterer.
This chapter serves as an introduction along with the first chapter "The Prison Door" to Hester Prynne and her situation. It also serves as direct links to how a real Puritan society deals with crimes that are committed. Puritans believe that sin permeates our world and it should be sought out and those who commit sins should be punished and made an example of. I think so far this book will be a great fictional look inside the way the Puritan society deals with crime and punishment. I look forward to reading more of the book and getting more insight in to the Puritan society.
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Good enough. Remember Hawthorne's definition of a romance; he is going to explore the feelings of these people as they deal with this incredible ethical and moral problem. I think that you are right in your assumption that Hawthorne is going to explore this Puritan society. Keep looking for clues about how he seems to feel. I think that the novel is very deep in its explorations.
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