The scaffold in the novel Scarlet Letter not only serves as a place to dishonor or to expose someone, but to unify and judge them for who they really are. A place ,where criminals are punished for their crimes, in front of the whole town. Where the main antagonists settle their problems and from there choose there paths to live. The very same place that not only settles conflicts, but arises new ones. The scaffold structures the novel, and each scaffold scene plots the story, and so the scaffold can be considered the main setting of the novel.
             The Scaffold is a raised platform just outside of the town prison. It is the setting of the major events in the story, and the place where Hester's future is settled. The story begins in the scaffold with the first appearance of Hester, as she is being taken to the scaffold to be judged in front of the whole town. She is brought on to the scaffold, and it is there that everyone gets the chance to judge and see her being punished with the scarlet letter. Thus the scaffold serves as a place to center the attention towards a certain person.
             Not only does it help to call attention, but this scaffold is seen by many as a place of shame, a place where only criminals go, criminals who defy puritan beliefs. And this is how Hester is seen to the eyes of many, while she is on the scaffold. But Hester in the beginning of the novel ignores what people say to her, because the scarlet letter has made her stronger. But even though the scarlet letter makes Hester stronger, the scaffold makes her weaker. The scaffold puts pressure on Hester, because immediately after she has risen to the platform , all eyes are on her and thus this pressure not only weakens her but also affects the decision made by the judge who decides Hester's fate. It is here, in the beginning of the story, that the reader gets to know each character. Thus making the scaffold the primary setting of the story.
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