The Scarlet Letter Chapter 2 - The Marketplace: Hester's Bold Defiance

💔Hester Prynne's public punishment and the wearing of the Scarlet Letter A symbolize the strict Puritan morality and the consequences of adultery.

❤️Hester boldly defies the judgment of the Puritans by beautifully embroidering the Scarlet Letter A, symbolizing love and defiance.

👶Hester's daughter Pearl represents the product of Hester's sin, yet Hester fiercely clutches her as a symbol of her defiance and love for her child.

⚖️The scaffold, where Hester stands for her punishment, symbolizes public punishment of sin and also places Hester higher than her judgmental peers.

🙏Hester's characterization as a tall and elegant figure reminiscent of the Virgin Mary suggests a contrast between religion of love and mercy and the strict Puritan morality.

Why is Hester punished?

—Hester is punished for committing adultery, which is forbidden by the seventh commandment and considered a grave sin by the Puritans.

Why does Hester wear the Scarlet Letter A?

—Hester wears the Scarlet Letter A as a symbol of her crime and punishment, openly displaying her guilt and facing public humiliation.

What does the Scarlet Letter A symbolize?

—The Scarlet Letter A symbolizes adultery and serves as a reminder of Hester's sin, as well as a symbol of defiance and love for her daughter.

How does Hester defy the judgment of the Puritans?

—Hester defies the judgment of the Puritans by beautifully embroidering the Scarlet Letter A, transforming it from a symbol of shame to a symbol of defiance and self-expression.

What does the scaffold symbolize?

—The scaffold symbolizes public punishment of sin and places Hester higher than her judgmental peers, highlighting her strength and resilience.

00:09Chapter 2 of The Scarlet Letter is called 'The Marketplace' and opens with women discussing Hester Prynne's punishment for adultery.

00:24Hester comes out of the jail wearing the Scarlet Letter A, symbolizing her crime, and holding her daughter Pearl.

00:37Hawthorne describes Hester as tall and elegant, contrasting with the drab and cruel people around her, and compares her to the Virgin Mary.

01:01Hester reflects on her past life in England and her loveless marriage to an older scholar.

01:56Hester proudly displays the intricately embroidered Scarlet Letter A, defying the scornful judgment of society.