The Scarlet Letter

Background: Puritan beliefs and society

The Custom House—Introductory

• Frame for the main story
• Finds old letters wrapped in a scarlet A
• Moved by them, decides to tell the story of Hester Prynne

I. The Prison Door

• Sets the tone for the novel
• Underline tone words—somber
• Contrast of the civilized prison and the wild rose
• Civilization give you _________? (Hatred, vice, repression etc)

Only the wild rose gives inspiration or kindness

II. The Market Place

Description of the people: religion and law are almost one and the same

· “the mildest and theseverest acts of public discipline were alike made venerable and awful” (35)

· masculine, tough, cruel women—want the worst for Hesterè hot iron brand

· think men are soft

· they see Hester as a “brazen hussy,” the narrator describes her as almost angelic

description of the scarlet A:

· “the pang of it will be always in her heart”

· ornate, large and beautiful

· “On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread, appeared the letter A” 37

· “drew all eyes” “had the effect of a spell” “inclosing her in a sphere by herself” 37

Hester Prynne

· “she repelled him by an action marked with natural dignity and force of character, and stepped into the open air, as if by her own free will” – more dignity than the town beadle (36)

· with a burning blush, and yet a haughty smile, and a glance that would not be anashed, looked around at her townspeople and neighbours.” 37

· “a figure of perfect elegance” 37

· expected her to be dimmed and obscured, but astonished to see “how her beauty shone out, and made a halo of the misfortune and ignominy in which she was enveloped” 37

· connection to the Virgin Mary 39—opposite, but somehow similar????