4
lesson pretestMultiple Choice

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Question 4 • English III

In Chapter 3 of The Scarlet Letter , which best describes the magistracy’s main goal with respect to the punishment it delivers to Hester Prynne for her crime?

Answer
A
the delivery of physical pain
B
a life of servitude to pay for her sins
C
removal from all interaction with others
D
public humiliation and ostracism

Explanation

The magistracy makes Hester stand on the scaffold in front of the townspeople, wearing the scarlet letter as a lasting public mark of her sin. This punishment is meant chiefly to shame her and set her apart socially, rather than to cause physical pain or make her a servant. The best choice is public humiliation and ostracism.

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