Article: Works of Nathaniel Hawthorne: The Scarlet Letter: Chapters 1 - 4

Hawthorne, Nathaniel
Monarch Notes
01-01-1963
The Scarlet Letter: Chapters 1 - 4

Chapter I: "The Prison-Door"

Hester Prynne has committed adultery. Two years ago her husband in Europe
sent her on ahead to America while he settled some business affairs. Alone in
the small town of Boston, Hester has shocked and angered her neighbors by
secretly taking a lover and bringing forth a girl child. The Puritans of
Boston are shocked that she has done this thing. They are angry because she
will not reveal the name of the father of the child. Although the usual
penalty for adultery is death, the Puritan judges (called magistrates) have
decided to be merciful to her, declaring that Hester's punishment ...

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