What symbol does Hester Prynne wear on her chest in The Scarlet Letter?

• A. A red letter 'A'
• B. A green letter 'G'
• C. A blue letter 'B'
• D. A gold star

Answer: (A)

The symbol worn by Hester Prynne on her chest is a red letter A, sewn onto her garments as a public mark of adultery. In the Puritan setting of The Scarlet Letter, this emblem is meant to shame her and mark her as someone who has broken the community’s moral law. Hawthorne uses the letter to explore judgment, guilt, and social power, showing how a single mark can shape identity and how a person might redefine meaning through actions and resilience. Over time, the A also comes to symbolize more than sin for some onlookers—signifying strength, independence, and the complexity of conscience—though the initial purpose of shaming remains. The other choices don’t fit with the text: there is no green or blue letter, nor a gold star, as the narrative presents the symbol as a red A.