In the opening chapters of The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne stands on a scaffold in Puritan Boston, condemned to wear the scarlet letter as a mark of her sin. She endures public shame with a mixture of dignity and remorse. The community's reaction is a complex mixture of judgment and curiosity, revealing the strict moral codes of the society. Hester's appearance and her embroidery of the letter 'A' reflect her resilience and the internal conflict she faces. The narrative describes her standing tall despite her disgrace, highlighting themes of shame, penitence, and strength. The phrase 'Scarlet Letter' becomes a symbol both of her sin and of her complex identity. This scene introduces readers to the social and moral tensions of the society, setting the stage for Hester's personal journey and the novel’s exploration of morality.

1. The narrator describes Hester's embroidery as a 'beautiful display of defiance'.
2. Hawthorne uses metaphors to compare Hester's scarlet letter to a blazing fire.
3. The community's reaction is described as 'indifference', highlighting their acceptance.
4. The phrase 'a symbol both of her sin and of her complex identity' underlines the ambivalence of her character.
5. Hester's stance is described as 'timid', reflecting her broken spirit.
6. Hawthorne employs a volta to shift between Hester's shame and her strength.
7. The phrase 'public shame' is used to show the societal judgement she faces.
8. The scene describes her as 'hiding her face', to emphasise her shame.
9. Hawthorne employs caesura in the sentence: 'She stood silent, yet defiant.'
10. The description of the scarlet letter as a 'symbol of her sin' is an example of symbolism.

The scarlet letter 'A' was embroidered in gold thread on Hester's dress. It shimmered as she moved, a vivid symbol of her sin, yet also a testament to her strength and resilience. The letter's colour, scarlet, evoked passion, shame, and defiance all at once.