Question

Read this excerpt from chapter 2 of The Scarlet Letter. Lastly, in lieu of these shifting scenes, came back the rude market-place of the Puritan settlement, with all the townspeople assembled and levelling their stern regards at Hester Prynne,—yes, at herself,—who stood on the scaffold of the pillory, an infant on her arm, and the letter A, in scarlet, fantastically embroidered with gold thread, upon her bosom! What is the effect of the underlined words in this excerpt?

Answer 1

They impart a mood of distress and shame. Just did the quiz

Answer 2

Answer: They impart a mood of distress and shame.

In this excerpt, Hawthorne describes the way in which Hester was observed and judged as she walked through the marketplace. By emphasizing the words "yes, at herself," Hawthorne forces us to imagine the situation from Hester's point of view. We are forced to think of this description in a more vivid and personal way. This emphasizes the mood of distress and shame that Hester is in.