In Chapter 2 of The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne introduces us to a Puritan community gathered outside a prison in colonial Boston. The focus of the chapter shifts from the setting to the crowd of onlookers, particularly a group of women discussing the fate of Hester Prynne, who is being punished for adultery. Several significant events follow the introduction of these women, shaping the tone of the novel and highlighting the harsh societal judgments that Hester must face.

The Women of the Crowd

The women of the crowd are among the most vocal spectators, and their discussion reveals much about Puritan values and the role of women in enforcing moral standards. These women, described as having English birth and breeding, embody the rigid beliefs of the time. Their conversation reflects the community’s attitude toward sin, punishment, and shame, especially as it pertains to female behavior.

Event: The Women Discuss Hester’s Sentence

After the women are introduced, the conversation quickly turns to Hester Prynne’s punishment for her sin of adultery. As Hester stands in the prison, awaiting her public shaming, the women critique the leniency of her sentence. They feel that wearing the scarlet letter “A” on her chest is not a severe enough punishment for her transgression. They suggest that more drastic actions should have been taken, revealing the unforgiving nature of the Puritan society.

One of the women comments, “At the very least, they should have branded the letter into her flesh.” This idea—that Hester’s punishment should be even more permanent and severe—demonstrates the community’s desire for public shame to match the perceived moral severity of her crime. The women also debate the symbolic nature of the letter “A” and whether it truly serves as an adequate form of public repentance.

Event: The Women Demand That the Letter Be Branded on Hester

The women’s discussion escalates as they express a desire for harsher punishment, demanding that the scarlet letter be physically branded onto Hester’s body. The symbolic nature of the embroidered letter “A” seems insufficient for these women, who want to see a more lasting and painful reminder of Hester’s sin. This suggestion of branding reveals the deep-seated cruelty in their interpretation of justice, as they believe that physical suffering is a more appropriate consequence for Hester’s actions.

This event not only exposes the community’s harsh judgment but also sets the stage for the central theme of shame and public humiliation that runs throughout the novel. The women’s cold, judgmental attitudes highlight the oppressive nature of the Puritanical society that Hester must navigate as she endures her punishment.

Event: Hester Appears on the Scaffold

After the women’s discussion, the event that immediately follows is Hester Prynne’s public appearance on the scaffold, where she is forced to stand in front of the crowd while holding her infant daughter, Pearl. This moment is pivotal, as it marks Hester’s official punishment and introduction to the reader as the central figure of the novel. Dressed in a simple but dignified manner, Hester stands with the scarlet letter embroidered on her chest, representing her sin and shame.

Despite the public humiliation and the judgmental whispers of the crowd, Hester carries herself with dignity and grace, refusing to let the public shame destroy her inner sense of self. The scaffold scene sets the tone for Hester’s resilience throughout the novel, even as she is ostracized by her community.

Conclusion

In Chapter 2 of The Scarlet Letter, several key events unfold after the introduction of the women of the crowd. The women’s discussion of Hester Prynne’s sentence—particularly their demand that the letter “A” be branded into her flesh—reflects the harshness and cruelty of Puritan society. Following this discussion, Hester’s public appearance on the scaffold solidifies her role as the novel’s protagonist, a woman who, despite her punishment, retains her dignity in the face of public scorn. These events not only drive the plot forward but also introduce the central themes of shame, judgment, and resilience that will be explored throughout the novel.