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All throughout Nathaniel Hawthorne’s book, The Scarlet Letter, the recurrence of key settings such as the town, the forest, and the scaffold help shape the plot. By repeating main scenes, the significance of these settings are stressed. Resilient to the constant adversity, main character Hester Prynne overcomes all challenges presented to her.
The scaffold scenes provide a majority of the framework for the entire novel, while simultaneously being one of the most dramatically structured scenes. With the book holding a total of twenty-four chapters, the first scaffold scene starts in the beginning. In chapter two, one of the towns- people state, “... the Reverend Master Dimmesdale, her godly pastor, takes it very grievously to heart that such a scandal should come upon his congregation.” (25) This is ironic because he is the person whom has committed the crime with her. Hester and Pearl remain solitary, freely embarrassed on the scaffold, while Dimmesdale watches from the side, remaining with different leaders from the community. Sincerely and physically, he is isolated from her, yet she courageously bears her single misery. This first scene is also where Chillingworth watches from the side, and learns about his wife’s transgression. The second scaffold scene, taking place directly in the middle of the book in chapter twelve, contains nearly all the same components, except for it taking place at night. Dimmesdale has returned to the scaffold, seven years later, in hopes to confess his sins and to feel the pain Hester had. Hawthorne states, “Mr. Dimmesadale was overcome with a great horror of mind, as if the universe were gazing at a scarlet token on his naked breast, right over his heart. On that spot, in very truth, there was, and there had long been, the gnawing and poisonous tooth of bodily pain.” (67) In the same spot as Hester’s scarlet letter A, Dimmesdale is feeling an intense pain. He feels sorrow and remorse. His growing emotional pain has now become physical. Instead of featuring Hester's misery, this scene centers around Dimmesdale's blame and regret, which have driven him to the edge of madness. While in the chapters preceding they were separated, here Hester, Pearl, and Dimmesdale stand connected at the hip, framing an 'electric chain.' Nonetheless, Pearl demonstrates that Dimmesdale's repentance isn't finished when she asks as to whether he'll remain on the platform with her and her mom in the light of day. The third scene at the scaffold begins with all characters together in broad daylight, with Hester portrayed as a sinner and Dimmesdale a saint, equivalent to the first scene. Different from the previous scenes, Dimmesdale is soon to pass. Understanding this is his last chance to admit before his passing, Dimmesdale discovers fearlessness to admit to his acts. The repetition of the scaffold scene shows the deep meaning and symbolism that the setting holds.
The forest represents freedom and all of nature, a force that does not seem to judge individuals according to the same set of corruptible rules as the town. People are known to report to the forest when in need of secrecy. But while the Puritans seem to be kind of terrified of the forest, the narrator isn't. In fact, Hawthorne associates Nature with kindness and love from the very beginning of this story. Pearl, daughter of guilt and sin, was conceived in the woods. It was the place of love for Dimmesdale and Hester. Their love forbidden, the forest was the ideal place to meet. Later in the story in chapter seventeen, the two meet once again. Hawthorne states, “So strangely did they meet in the dim wood that it was like the first encounter in the world beyond the grave of two spirits who had been intimately connected in their former life, but now stood coldly shuddering in mutual dread, as not yet familiar with their state, nor wonted to the companionship of disembodied beings.” (85) The two have not been together in secrecy in a long time. They feel as if they are ghosts, reconnecting to their true former selves. The forest has allowed them to feel as they have a safe place to express feelings. Hester feels it is time to express what has been bothering her deep down to Dimmesdale, stating, “... he whom they call Roger Chillingworth!- he was my husband!” (87) In initial shock, Dimmesdale throws his hands up, feeling both betrayed and fooled. Later accepting and forgiving her, an idea to flee the country- just the three of them is thought of. The recurring scene of the forest shows the confidentiality and secrecy.
The setting of the town recurs throughout the story line. Starting in the beginning of the book, the townspeople have a harsh and close-minded view of Hester. They view her as nothing more than a sinner. Hawthorne states, “... she perchance underwent an agony from every footstep of those that thronged to see her, as if her heart had been flung in the street for them all to spurn and trample upon.” (22) Once released from prison, the entire town has came out to see Hester walk down the street. Surrounded by people, she stands alone. Later in the book, several years after, Hester has grown to be a huge benefit for her community. She is always there to help others. A supporting quote states, “None so ready as she to give of her little substance to every demand… none so self-devoted as Hester.” (140) No other person is as devoted to help as Hester has. Her reputation in the community has changed drastically in result to her service and heart. The repetition of the town scene shows the views of the community over time, helping build the plot of the story.
Resilient to adversity, Hester Prynne overcomes numerous challenges throughout the book. The recurrence of key settings such as the townspeople, the forest and the scaffold help shape the plot. Repetition of scenes helps build a storyline and helps readers remember important settings.
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