The Scarlet Letter 1: P45-56

I. Quotations
1. As befitted a people amongst whom religion and law were almost identical, and in whose character both were so thoroughly interfused, that the mildest and the severest acts of public discipline were alike made venerable and awful [...] On the other hand, a penalty, which, in our day, would infer a degree of mocking infamy and ridicule, might then be invested with almost as stern a dignity as the punishment of death itself. (page 47)

• In a theocratic society like New England back in the age, religion and law are intertwined. No matter it was religious persecution or criminal penalty, they were all done "in the name of God". Discipline should be made to be venerable, not awful; rules should be made to make people follow, not fear. Under the curse of theocracy, the minds of ignorant people were chained by the fear of punishment. A penalty that now may seem as a degree of mocking notoriety and jeer, might then be seen as a punishment from God that disassociates one from heaven. So, to some extent, the penalty they gave to Prynne - let her stand on the platform in the mid of the marketplace three hours everyday- is more severe than letting her die, which is less painful.
  

2. It [the scarlet letter] had the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and enclosing her in a sphere by herself. (page 51)

• This quote reveals the differences between Hester Prynne and the townpeople. Although the story just started, we can see that our main character, Hester, is somehow special. The scarlet letter had made her different from the others. In other words, her sin of committing adultery separated her from those "innocent people". However, when the community left her alone, she finally got a breath of the fresh air - the washing away of the corporate guilt committed by the society. So she is kind of like all by herself, enclosed in a sphere where the theocratic curse is not acting upon her. With the scarlet A on the bosom of her dress, Prynne is for sure going to make a difference. And hopefully, the letter A will change its meaning to something good.
  

II. Discussing Questions
1. Is Hester Prynne ashamed of her guilt?

2. Why did she embroider the letter A on the breast of her gown but not hidding it?