The Scarlet Letter · Chapter
II: The Marketplace explained
Hester Prynne emerges from prison carrying her infant daughter, Pearl, and wearing the elaborately embroidered scarlet letter 'A' on her breast.
What happens
Hester Prynne emerges from prison carrying her infant daughter, Pearl, and wearing the elaborately embroidered scarlet letter 'A' on her breast. She ascends the scaffold in the marketplace to endure public shaming, facing a crowd of hostile townspeople, including stern women who criticize her punishment as too lenient. The scene is observed by the town's dignitaries, including Governor Bellingham and ministers, as Hester bears the weight of their judgment with a mixture of dignity and inner turmoil.
Themes in this chapter
Public Shame vs. Private Truth
Hester is forced to stand on the scaffold as a public spectacle, yet her inner thoughts and the identity of Pearl's father remain hidden.
Hypocrisy and Moral Judgment
The townspeople, especially the women, harshly judge Hester while ignoring their own moral failings, revealing societal hypocrisy.
Motherhood and Family
Hester's protective embrace of Pearl and the contrast between the 'Divine Maternity' and her 'taint of deepest sin' highlight the theme of motherhood.
Characters to notice
- Hester Prynne
Emerges from prison with Pearl, wearing the scarlet letter; displays a haughty, ladylike demeanor despite the public shaming.
- Pearl
A three-month-old infant carried by Hester; winces at the sunlight after being in the dark prison.
- Governor Bellingham
Present in the balcony of the meetinghouse, observing Hester's punishment.
- John Wilson
Among the ministers in the balcony, witnessing the public shaming.
- Arthur Dimmesdale
Mentioned by a townsman as Hester's pastor who takes the scandal grievously to heart.
Key passages
“She hath good skill at her needle, that’s certain... but did ever a woman, before this brazen hussy, contrive such a way of showing it! Why, gossips, what is it but to laugh in the faces of our godly magistrates, and make a pride out of what they, worthy gentlemen, meant for a punishment?”
One female spectator comments that Hester's embroidery skill is evident, but accuses her of mocking the magistrates by turning her punishment into a display of pride.
Reflects the public's perception of Hester's defiance through her ornate scarlet letter.
“It were well... if we stripped Madam Hester’s rich gown off her dainty shoulders; and as for the red letter, which she hath stitched so curiously, I’ll bestow a rag of mine own rheumatic flannel, to make a fitter one!”
An older woman suggests that Hester should be stripped of her fine gown and given a plain flannel rag to wear as a more fitting punishment.
Highlights the cruelty and judgment of the female onlookers.
“O, peace, neighbors, peace!... do not let her hear you! Not a stitch in that embroidered letter but she has felt it in her heart.”
A younger woman urges the others to be quiet, noting that Hester has already suffered deeply from the shame symbolized by the letter.
Shows a rare moment of empathy among the crowd.