Question

1. What conclusion can be drawn from the author's use of the word pollution in paragraph 4?
A Hester's community is physically dirty.
B Hester's soul is morally unclean.
C Hester's situation has resulted from a lack of discipline.
D Hester's shame has spread to others in the village.

Answer 1

Answer:

B Hester's soul is morally unclean.

Explanation:

The mystery of the woman's soul was described as sacred even in its pollution. The woman in this instance, whose sin was to be judged by the young Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale was Hester Prynne.  Her soul was morally unclean given the sin she committed. That was why the author used the word pollution to describe it.

She was accused of adultery which resulted in a child and her sin was to be judged by the Reverend. Her husband was away for three years in Amsterdam, leaving her alone in Boston and this exposed her to the temptation which she succumbed to.