Can the realization of one's shadow-self lead to self-reliance? The nature of sin exists internally and externally and affects one's state of mind. Set in the mid 17th century, the three scaffold scenes developed by Nathaniel Hawthorne in The Scarlet Letter depict the moral, emotional and psychological effects of Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth. Also, the Scarlet letter "A" that Hester is obligated to wear affects her persona and shadow self along with the community in which she lives. Each scene exemplifies the theme of sin along with the nature of evil. Every scaffold scene represents a time in which a character takes a step towards self-reliance and has changed in various ways. The Scarlet Letter begins with the three-hour punishment of Hester Prynne. .
The first scaffold scene takes place in the market place in front of society. Hester Prynne has been accused of adultery and must expose her sin by standing on the scaffold for three hours. She also must wear an "A" on the front of her dress, which also is representation of her sin. The purpose of her punishment is to teach the community a lesson about sin, but in fact society is using her as a scapegoat for their own shadow nature. The punishment is supposed to show the community what is right and what is wrong. Hester's sin is now external and the community is affected by it. Many of the woman comment on her well embroidered scarlet "A" and think that she is proud of her sin and is showing it off. This is shown when a woman says, "Why, gossips, what is it but to laugh in the faces of our godly magistrates, and make a pride out of what they, worthy gentlemen, meant for a punishment?" (47). Truthfully, Hester accepts her sin by the scarlet "A" rather than repenting it. During this scene, Hester's emotion is characterized as extreme anxiety caused from the constant murmur of the crowd surrounding her.
