The Scarlet Letter, Chapters 1 and 2

Hawthorne chose to start Chapter I at a prison door because he wanted to start the story in the middle of action instead of  setting the scene and introducing the first of many symbols like all the other stories. Hester’s punishment and the crowd’s reaction tell me that Puritan values are extremely strict and very harsh with adultery. Hawthorne’s depiction of Hester conflict with these values and the setting because Hester herself commits adultery which brings about a dark mood and setting.

The Scarlet Letter

My sister read this book and she told me that the Scarlet Letter was a great book. I can't wait till I get my head in the Scarlet Letter.  From what I have read, The Scarlet Letter follows the public shaming and punishment of a young woman named Hester Prynne in mid-17th century Boston (a.k.a. the Massachusetts Bay Colony). When Hester becomes pregnant, everyone believes her to be guilty of adultery. She has been separated from her husband for two full years, and the baby cannot be his. The magistrates (local law enforcers) and ministers order her to wear a scarlet letter "A" on her dress, so that everyone can know about her adultery. I just can't wait to see what happens next.