See Article History This contribution has not yet been formally edited by Britannica. Articles such as this one were acquired and published with the primary aim of expanding the information on Britannica. Although these articles may currently differ in style from others on the site, they allow us to provide wider coverage of topics sought by our readers, through a diverse range of trusted voices. The first settlers of the area are now long gone, but their lives still impact the community. The narrator is related to an early settler who was a judge and a ruler in the church known for his severity towards women. The narrator meets other Custom House officers, also members of the Whig party. The narrator provides a character sketch of each officer. He finds an old package in the office of the Custom House. A scroll explains that the letter was worn by Hester Prynne. The narrator begins to retell the story of Hester and the scarlet letter. Chapter 1- The Prison Door One of the first buildings constructed by the settlers of Boston was the prison. Despite being cleared of all brush, a wild rosebush grows at the threshold of the prison door. It is thought the rosebush symbolizes morality and can relieve human frailty and sorrow. Chapter 2- The Market Place One summer morning years ago, every person in town is paying close attention to the prison door because a local woman is being held within the prison. The women are particularly interested in the fate of Hester Prynne. The prison door opens and Hester is led out. She is holding an infant. She is then escorted to a scaffold where she must stand on a platform as a part of her punishment. Everyone in the town watches her, including her father. Hester is ashamed as she looks out at the sea of faces. The man asks who Hester is and what she has done. The man learns Hester committed adultery and will not name the father of her baby. She is being punished in the hopes she will reveal the name of her lover. Both Reverend Dimmesdale and Reverend Wilson try to get the information from Hester, but she refuses. Chapter 4- The Interview After being returned to the prison, Hester is being watched by the guards so that she does not harm herself or her child. Hester becomes emotional and upset, alarming the guards further. Another man, Roger Chillingworth, offers to calm Hester. He is given time alone with Hester because he claims to be a physician. He gives Hester and the baby calming draughts. He is not angry; he pities her. He knew she never loved him, but he married her anyway. Roger says they have both been wronged and asks the name of the man who is responsible. He says he will get revenge for both of them. Hester refuses to name her lover. Roger makes her promise never to reveal his identity to anyone in town. Her burden and shame grows every day because she is singled out as a sinner in the Puritan community. However, she is free to return to Europe, but she chooses to remain in the community. Hester and her daughter move into a thatched cottage on the outskirts of town. Hester is without friends, but her needlework is in demand for christening gowns, and fancy dresses. Hester dresses very plainly, but dresses her daughter in the finest clothes. Hester is not welcomed at the church and is tormented by the local children. She is isolated from everyone in the community and is not welcome to attend church services. Chapter 6- Pearl Hester decides to name her daughter Pearl because she paid a great price for her treasured daughter. Pearl is a happy and playful child, but she sometimes has fits of emotion. Hester is confused by these episodes. She often experiences fits of rage when around other children. Her only real playmate is Hester, so she creates imaginary playmates. Through Dimmesdale, The Scarlet Letter shows readers how dangerous hypocrisy can be and how it can take over a person’s life. Dimmesdale’s hypocrisy over Hester Prynne’s adultery and public shame consumes him and, eventually, is the cause of his death. The Scarlet Letter The red letter 'A' was supposed to label Hester as adulterous and symbolize shame for her wrong decisions. However, throughout the course of Hester's life, the letter transforms into a symbol of who Hester is as a person. Symbolism of Plants in “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne IMPORTANT: Please assign this order to a writer who has preferably already read this novel, because time is limited. There is a strict 4 day deadline and I absolutely cannot extend the deadline beyond the due date because this is the final paper of the semester and the class. Honors American Lit.B The Scarlet Letter Pathway Paper – wordsApril 23, Throughout The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne uses vegetation imagery in correlation with his . 6 A Teacher’s Guide to the Signet Classics Edition of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne a class the elements that make it “Romantic” or “gothic.” As a class, use the whiteboard to “re-write” the paragraph, taking out all symbolism, imagery, and gothic overtones. How does Pearl react to the Scarlet Letter? The Governor’s Hall. “By the first step awry, thou didst plant the germ of evil; but since that moment, it has all been a dark necessity It is our fate. Let the black flower blossom as it may.” AP English Study Guide Questions The Scarlet Letter.