The Scarlet Letter Chapter 2 Overview

Questions and Answers

On what note does chapter 2 begin?

People are all standing around the prison waiting for someone to emerge.

What is Hawthorne saying about the Puritan women of the New World?

Through the conversation of the women, Hawthorne shows that the townspeople have made Hester a scapegoat, and the women condemn her to emphasize their own piety.

For what sin is Hester Prynne condemned?

Hester Prynne is condemned for adultery, which means that she had a child out of wedlock.

What is the Old Testament punishment for adultery?

Death Signup and view all the answers

What is the public view of Hester's sin as expressed by the women outside the prison?

Most of the women believe that she deserves to be punished and that she deserves an even more strict punishment, but a few believe that she has already been punished enough by the A on her chest. Signup and view all the answers

What is Hester's punishment?

She has to wear a scarlet letter A on her clothing for the rest of her life and she has to stand on the scaffold for 3 hours and be mocked. Signup and view all the answers

What is surprising about the 'A' Hester has sewn for herself?

She has embroidered it and made it look nicer. Signup and view all the answers

What is accomplished by Hawthorne's allusion to the Madonna and Child?

The allusion is used to compare Hester and Pearl (Hester's baby) to the Madonna and Child, but the image was tainted by her sin. Signup and view all the answers

What might Hawthorne be suggesting by portraying Hester as extremely beautiful?

Because Hawthorne describes her as extremely beautiful, the townspeople and you wouldn't expect her to be a sinner just by her 'holy' appearance. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Flashback reveal about Hester's past?

<ul> <li>She came to America from England (as can be seen through her flashback of her mother and father)</li> <li>She knew a scholar that she was very fond of</li> <li>She remembers how innocent her life used to be and where it has ended up.</li> </ul> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 2 Overview

Chapter begins with a scene outside a prison where townspeople wait for a prisoner to emerge.

Puritan Women

Hawthorne highlights the role of Puritan women as enforcers of societal norms, using Hester Prynne as a scapegoat to project their own moral superiority.

Hester Prynne's Sin

Hester is condemned for adultery, having given birth to a child out of wedlock.

Punishment for Adultery

The Old Testament law prescribes death as the punishment for adultery.

Public Sentiment

Most townswomen advocate for Hester’s harsh punishment, seeing her scarlet letter as insufficient, reflecting the rigid and unforgiving nature of Puritan society.

Hester's Punishment

Hester must wear a scarlet letter "A" on her clothing permanently and stand on the scaffold for three hours, where she is subjected to public humiliation.

Hester’s Acceptance

The scarlet letter is intricately embroidered, symbolizing Hester's acceptance and acknowledgment of her sin, suggesting resilience and a personal connection to her punishment.

Allusion to Madonna and Child

Hester and her daughter Pearl are compared to the Madonna and Child, but this sacred image is corrupted by Hester's sin, illustrating the conflict between purity and guilt.

Physiognomy and Hester’s Beauty

Hester's striking beauty contrasts with her condemned status, challenging the notion that appearance dictates morality and suggesting a deeper sinful nature beneath her facade.

Flashback Insights

Hester's flashback reveals her past, including her journey from England and memories of a cherished scholar, emphasizing the drastic change from her innocent beginnings to her current shameful state.

Description

Dive into the pivotal moments of Chapter 2 of 'The Scarlet Letter,' where Hawthorne explores themes of sin, punishment, and societal judgment. Hester Prynne's plight highlights the harsh realities of Puritan society and the role of women in enforcing moral standards. Examine how public sentiment shapes Hester's punishment and her complex acceptance of her scarlet letter.