The Scarlet Letter

Chapters 1-3 Pages 45-67

Chapter 1 – The Prison

Chapter one gives a background story about the edifice, large building. The chapter doesn’t give much information about the setting of the story though. It talks about people standing outside the prison in Boston. Hawthorne then describes the prison in depth, talking about the surroundings and its history. Towards the end of this short chapter, a rosebush is mentioned.

·        Symbol - rosebush

To me, the rosebush is a symbol of life beyond the prison walls. The bush grew next to a depressing, old place. It shines a little light on those that enter the spiked door. It represents beauty in a run down town. “It may serve, let us hope, to symbolize some sweet moral blossom that may be found along the track, or relieve the darkening close of a tale of human frailty and sorrow.” (Page 46)

Chapter 2 – Meeting Hester Prynne

Chapter two starts off on a summer morning, over two centuries ago. Men, woman, and children of all ages approach the oak door of the prison. Women begin to gossip as the wait lingers on. “This woman has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die.” (Page 49) Who are they talking about and why? As the story goes on, a woman by the name of Hester Prynne appears from the prison door. She is the first person wearing the Scarlet Letter, the letter “A” in red with gold thread. As she holds a three months old baby close to her, she makes her way to the raised platform. As she’s placed in front of the townspeople, they begin to criticize her and the letter threaded on the breast of her gown. Referring to the letter, a woman says, “but did ever a woman, before this brazen hussy, contrive such a way of showing it!” (Page 52) Getting closer to the end of the chapter, makes me extremely curious about Mistress Prynne.

            Usually, there is a mixture of awe and guilt amongst those watching this awful sight. Not with this audience. The witnesses of Hester’s punishment stood stern while their eyes focused on her. As she stands on the platform, a thunder of laughter rises from the men, women, and children in the crowd. “Hester Prynne might have repaid them all with a bitter and disdainful smile.” (Page 55)

            Scenes of Hester’s early life begin to play in the back of her mind. She’s suddenly back in her village in Old England. She sees the faces of her mother, father, and a young man. Those final seconds of her death, she couldn’t believe she was about to take her final breath. It couldn’t be true! “Could it be true?” she thought. “She clutched the child so fiercely to her breast that it sent forth a cry; she turned her eyes downward at the scarlet letter, and even touched it with her finger, to assure herself that the infant and the shame were real.” (Page 57)

                                    Chapter 3 – More Information about Hester

            The author provides information on the letter in the beginning of the chapter. “the wearer of the scarlet letter was at length relieved, by discerning on the outskirts of the crowd a figure which irresistibly took possession of her thoughts.” (Page 57) It is then stated that Mistress Prynne is not going to be sentenced to death. Two men are having a brief conversation about her while watching her shame. A townsman tells a stranger that the penalty of Hester’s crime is death. However, the people were merciful. The woman was forced to stand on the platform for three hours and wear the “mark of shame” on her breast.

·        Symbol – “A”

The “A” is a sign of sin. Chapter three gives readers more information on Hester and the reason she wears the “A”. In chapter two, I assumed she was sentenced to death, but I did wonder why she held the infant in her arms. On page 54, the author noted something about an upcoming death. “They were stern enough to look upon her death,” Reading this chapter confused me when learning about Hester because of my assumptions. Another character is revealed in this chapter, Master Dimmesdale. He was sent to get Hester to repent and talk about her consequences.

Ending the chapter, readers learn that the young lady wears the letter upon her breast because she had an affair and will not tell the reverends who the father of her child is. Reverend Mr. Wilson tells her that the letter will be removed if she tells. She refuses to tell and says that her child will have a heavenly father instead of an earthly father.

·        Is the stranger that asked the townsman about Hester the father?

·        Was Hester raped?

·        Does she know who the father is?

These questions may be answered as the book continues.

Two Main Characters:

1.      Hester Prynne

2.      Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale