The main
setting of the novel takes place in Boston back in the seventeenth century in a
Puritan community. However, within this uptight, law-abiding settlement.
The Forest
In Chapter 17 (my section),
Hester Prynne and Dimmesdale meet in the forest. This is where Hester reveals
to Dimmesdale that Chillingworth is her husband. Dimmesdale suddenly starts to
blindly grasp onto the dark revelation that Hester is the cause of all his
pain. However, as Hester begs for forgiveness and pulls him into an embrace, he
becomes more pacified and concludes that Chillingworth is the root of all the
evil and a greater sinner than either of them could ever be. As the two make
plans of escaping to Europe, a little of the darkness is unburdened from their
hearts and a feeling of long lost joy can be sensed.
When Hester Prynne was sentenced to stand on the scaffold in the Market Place, she had to endure the mockery and criticism of the public. This platform of ridicule and shame inflicted worse punishment than execution because it was said that that the disgrace that entailed would be as unbearable as death. Also, during the “minister's vigil”, Reverend Dimmesdale stood on the scaffold along with Hester and Pearl at night. Although no one was present, he was still able to feel the ignominy and guilt of his dark secret surge at him.When Hester Prynne was sentenced to stand on the scaffold in the Market Place, she had to endure the mockery and criticism of the public. This platform of ridicule and shame inflicted worse punishment than execution because it was said that that the disgrace that entailed would be as unbearable as death. Also, during the “minister's vigil”, Reverend Dimmesdale stood on the scaffold along with Hester and Pearl at night. Although no one was present, he was still able to feel the ignominy and guilt of his dark secret surge at him.
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| Hester puts her hair down, remove the scarlet letter from her dress and throws it away |
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| Hester and Arthur in the forest finally meeting after seven whole years |
The Scaffold
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| Hester and her daughter being punished |
Hester Prynne's cabin
This deserted cabin on the outskirts
of the town represents Hester Prynne's strength and perseverance as she
struggles to support Pearl and herself. Having to deal with poverty and the
censures of the Puritan community, Hester is the depiction of those who suffer
greatly, yet still persist to move on regardless.
