Scarlett Letter Chapters 1 & 2

Why does Hawthorne choose to start Chapter I at a prison- door? What do Hester’s punishment and the crowd’s reaction tell you about Puritan values? How does Hawthorne’s depiction of Hester conflict with these values and this setting?




I think Hawthorne chooses to start Chapter 1  at a prison-door because he felt it would set the plot right then and there. It captured the reader's attention with the feel of the plot and setting, as soon as I started reading I was intrigued. The prison signified the reason for this book, the dilemma that was going to happen. Puritans take adultery very seriously, they're conservative people and had strong religious values. The punishment of walking around with an A also shows that Puritans took pride in their name, and if your name was stained or you had a reputation, that was a big deal. Hawthorne's depiction of Hester conflicts with the setting and what'd going on because everyone is standing in front of the prison upset because of the terrible sin she committed but at the same time they're impressed by the embroidery and beauty of the "A" 

The Scarlett Letter

I've been hearing about this book for a few years now and I've always been intrested in the plot. I love that it explores injustice, love, and adultery. I'm excited to read the book as I know I'll be able to relate to it on many different levels. Another thing that caught my attention is that it follows a love through seven years.. Those are my favorite kinds of stories, the ones about love and time, because it makes a story more realistic. Nicholas Sparks, an author, makes alot of stories relating to love and the impact time can have on love. Stories that tell about some sort of injustice are also really intriguing because they make me think on a deeper level and I'm able to put myself in each character's shoes. I've also dealt with injustice, whether I was unfairly treated or I treated someone unfairly, I've been there done that. Adultery isn't something I love, but it's the controversy around it that makes a story so much more dramatic and intense and honestly, everyone loves talking about adultery. It happens everyday. I like the kind of mystery and revenge involved when the husband disguises himself as someone else, it sounds like a typical Latin soap-opera. I like the love-triangle involved in a story. She's married but she's in love with someone else.. Everyone can relate to that feeling of confusion, despair, and heartache.