This is the section of the book where the
relationships between the characters start to take solid shape, and
Hawthorne makes these points numerous times.

When we aim to interpret a literary work, our task has to go
beyond listing our emotional reactions, our gut reactions, to the events
of the plot or the setting.

• “The authorities should not have been so harsh with Hester.”
• “The townspeople are slow to appreciate Hester’s charity; they should have recognized and appreciated her charity.”

Well,
of course. But Hawthorne created this whole scenario – the strict
society – in order to test the character of his sympathetic heroine.

Prediscussion Podcast 4.mp3