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 has already been marked with shame for life whether she wears the letter or not.
B
Hester means that she does not want the letter removed from her breast because she is proud to wear it.
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 punishment has already left a lasting mark on her, so removing the cloth letter would not erase the shame or consequences of her sin. The mark is “too deeply branded” because it is symbolic and emotional, not merely something attached to her dress. Therefore, the best choice is that she has been marked with shame for life whether she wears the letter or not.
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