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Questions and Answers
Name 3 crimes and the punishments that the Puritans might witness.
Name 3 crimes and the punishments that the Puritans might witness.
Whooping post, blaspheme, and hanging.
What is the relationship between the religion and law in Puritan New England?
What is the relationship between the religion and law in Puritan New England?
They are pretty much the same.
Describe the Puritan women.
Describe the Puritan women.
Manly and large.
What punishment would the Puritan women have given Hester Prynne if it were left to them?
What punishment would the Puritan women have given Hester Prynne if it were left to them?
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Describe the appearance of Hester Prynne.
Describe the appearance of Hester Prynne.
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What is Hester's sin and punishment?
What is Hester's sin and punishment?
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What is astonishing about the 'A' on her bodice?
What is astonishing about the 'A' on her bodice?
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Why is Hester taken to the scaffold in the marketplace?
Why is Hester taken to the scaffold in the marketplace?
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What things does Hester think about while she is on the scaffold?
What things does Hester think about while she is on the scaffold?
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How old is her baby?
How old is her baby?
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Study Notes
Punishments and Crimes in Puritan Society
- Common crimes included blasphemy, whooping, and adultery, each with severe punishments.
- Blasphemy could lead to hanging, showcasing the strict religious adherence within the community.
Relationship Between Religion and Law
- In Puritan New England, religion and law were intertwined, often seen as one and the same.
Description of Puritan Women
- Puritan women were typically described as large and manly figures, reflecting societal standards of strength.
Punishments for Hester Prynne
- If left to Puritan women, Hester Prynne would face a punishment of being scalded with a hot iron on her forehead, branding her as a "hussy" or immoral woman.
Hester Prynne’s Appearance
- Hester is depicted as tall and beautiful with long black hair and striking black eyes.
Hester's Sin and Its Consequences
- Hester's sin is adultery, for which she is condemned to wear an elaborately embroidered letter "A" symbolizing her shame.
The "A" on Hester’s Bodice
- The letter "A" is notable for its beautiful, intricate embroidery with gold thread, contrasting with its intended stigma.
Public Shaming on the Scaffold
- Hester is brought to the scaffold in the marketplace to be publicly shamed, emphasizing communal judgment.
Hester's Reflection on the Scaffold
- While on the scaffold, Hester contemplates her childhood, parents, a man with a deformed shoulder, and the future life she must now face.
Age of Hester’s Baby
- Hester's baby is three months old, born out of wedlock, further complicating her situation in the Puritan community.
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Description
Explore the strict societal norms and punishments in Puritan New England through this quiz. Delve into the relationship between religion and law, and understand the consequences faced by individuals like Hester Prynne. Discover how these elements shaped the lives of Puritan women and the community.
