Chapter One
Character List:
Mistress Hibbins: a witch, who was bitter-tempered
Group of women: harshly discuss and criticize Hester Prynne and her sin
Hester Prynne: wears a fantastically flourished gold and red letter “A” (the ScarletLetter); tall with dark hair, very pretty and lady-like, prideful and strong; has a baby Reverend Master Dimmesdale: a godly pastor
Magistrate: contains governor, counselors, a judge, a general, and ministers; decided Hester’s punishment
Chapter Summary: The citizens of Boston have gathered outside the prison-door. The structure is just twenty years old, there is a gloomy and old-fashioned look. A good-looking wild rose-bush is at the entrance of the prison. The narrator views the bush as a reminder of Nature’s …show more content…
The women, though, condemn Hester Prynne and say that she brings disgrace upon all the women. Someone so beautiful like Hester comes from the door, and the crowd is able to see the scarlet letter as well as the baby in her arms. The children and adults gaze, while she walks toward the gallows. Standing on the gallows alone, she starts dreaming of her previous life in England. Hester remembers her father, her mother, and herself when she was a child. She also saw a man, who is pale, thin, and has a scholar-like visage. She comes back to reality noticing the grim faces looking at her. Hester touches the Scarlet Letter as to make sure her punishment and shame were forreal. Quotation Significance: “It [scarlet letter] had the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and inclosing her in a sphere by herself.” (46)
Questions:
Will she be able to continuously take the criticism of the people?
Where is her