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Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. Boston: Ticknor, Reed & Fields, 1850; Bartleby.com, 1999.

Elbert, Monika. “Hester on the Scaffold, Dimmesdale in the Closet: Hawthorne's Seven-Year Itch.” , Western Illinois University, Department of English & Journalism, 19 Mar. 2007,

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This article explains how the meaning of the scaffold changed as the story progressed. The author of this article describes the different scenes that take place on the scaffold and their significance. For example, in the beginning of the novel, Hester is publicly shamed on the scaffold but in the last scenes on the scaffold, she is finally free. For Hester and Dimmesdale, the scaffold was a symbol of shame and embarrassment as shown in the beginning of the story. However, as the story went on, the meanings began to shift as the characters started interacting with the scaffold. The scaffold became a place where pleas for forgiveness were spoken and where Dimmesdale held his redemption.

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The Scaffold in "The Scarlet Letter" Paragraph

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The Scaffold in "The Scarlet Letter" Paragraph

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The scaffold in the "Scarlet Letter" plays a key role in the development of the plot.  The scaffold holds great symbolic value throughout the play. It represents sin and shame, as well as serving as the site of redemption.  The scaffold signifies sin and shame, for it is where Hester Prynne was publicly shamed for her crime, adultery.  "The penalty thereof is death. But in their great mercy and tenderness of heart, they have domed Mistress Prynne to stand only a space of three hours on the platform of the pillory, and then and thereafter, for the remainder of her natural life, to wear a mark of shame upon her bosom." (Hawthorne, Chapter 3, pg 60) Also, during the second scaffold scene, Dimmesdale is found up on the scaffold at night trying to dealing with his own guilt and shame which comes with his sin of adultery as he was "overcome with a great horror of mind"(Hawthorne, Chapter 12, 144). Here, he "shrieked aloud" (Hawthorne, Chapter 12, pg 144) at the scaffold due to his guilt that was building up inside. The scaffold also represents redemption. Through the scaffold, Dimmesdale is able to redeem himself and confess his sins, freeing himself from his misery. "With a convulsive motion, he tore away the ministerial band from before his breast. It was revealed!"(pag 250, Chapter 23, Hawthorne) This quote lets the reader know that Dimmesdale revealed his scarlet "A" on his chest, which offers him redemption. Hester also found redemption from her sin through helping the less fortunate.  Hester would selflessness gains her respect slowly throughout the town.

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By: Montse Ahumada, Sam McCoy, Lauryn Hoskin
Period 2