In Chapter 3 of The Scarlet Letter, what does Hester Prynne mean when she states, “It is too deeply branded. Ye cannot take it off,” with respect to the scarlet letter on her breast?
Answer
A
Hester means that she does not want the letter removed from her breast because she is proud to wear it.
B
Hester means that she has already been marked with shame for life whether she wears the letter or not.
C
Hester means that she would rather wear the letter on her breast than obey the laws of her community.
D
Hester means that she doesn’t care one way or another whether she has to wear the letter.
Explanation
Hester means that the shame of her sin has already been stamped on her life, so removing the cloth letter would not erase it. The phrase “too deeply branded” suggests a lasting mark within her, not pride in wearing the letter or indifference to it. Choice B best captures that she feels marked by shame whether or not she wears the scarlet letter.
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