Chapters 1-5

The Prison-Door
The Market-Place
The Recognition
The Interview
Hester at Her Needle

The story begins June 1642 in the Puritan community of Boston, Massachusetts. There is a dark scene of people gathered, with a glimmer of color scene in a rosebush near the prison door. This rosebush is believed to have grown from the footsteps of Anne Hutchinson, a martyr of sorts. Hester Prynne has been found guilty of adultery and therefore must wear a scarlet letter “A” on her bosom and stand on scaffolding in front of a crowd as punishment. She has with her a young baby, who was a product of her adultery. The Puritan community is very strict and severely critical of her sin, with many women conversing about how evil she is. Hester stands on the scaffolding with a huge crowd staring at her. While standing there she recalls events from her past, both people and places. Governor Bellingham and some ministers are on a balcony above her and urge her to divulge the identity of the man she has slept with, but she refuses. Hester recognizes her husband in the crowd, and learns that he has been in the wilderness with Indians. When Hester is led back into the jail, a doctor is sent to attend to her. The doctor is actually her husband who is using the alias of Chillingworth. Chillingworth declares that he will not harm Hester, for she will have her punishment in shame. However, he does wish to know the identity of the man whom Hester slept with. Chillingworth swears to find the man and seek revenge. He also makes Hester promise not to divulge his true identity of being her husband. Hester is released from jail and chooses to remain in Boston in live in an isolated cottage. She sews for a living and dresses herself in drab colors, while dressing her daughter Pearl in bold colors.