1-3

In the first three chapters of the Scarlet letter, we learn that Hester Prynne is an adulteress with a young child, Pearl. She is standing on a podium while the fellow citizens, which are puritans, yell at her and insult her for her causing adultery. Although she appears cool and calm on the outside, Hawthorne tells us that she is panicking. Prynne even squeezes her baby to make her cry to throw off some of the puritans. This whole event shows why it is important to keep a clean reputation. A better reputation would allow her to avoid this uncomfortable situation.