The first chapter of The Scarlet Letter introduces us to the prison door. We are immediately introduced to the prison door to prove that evil and death are unavoidable. It is very appropriate that Hawthorne opens the novel with the prison door. The portrayal of the bleak and ominous prison sets the ambiance for the rest of the novel and also foreshadows the circumstances between Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale. The prison is depicted as …showed first 75 words of 318 total…

…showed last 75 words of 318 total…passion. Hester Prynne is a rose among the weeds. The rose also represents Mary, the pure virgin, which can be compared to Hester Prynne. In short, though chapter one is brief and lacks action, its holds great importance. Not only do we gain a sense of foreboding, but the atmosphere for the rest of the novel is set. The author uses explicatory wording which allows the reader to visualize the cold and gloomy prison door.