It was no great distance, in those days, from the prison-door to the market-place. Measured by the prisoner's experience, however, it might be reckoned a journey of some length; for, haughty as her demeanour was, she perchance underwent an agony from every footstep of those that thronged to see her, as if her heart had been flung into the street for them all to spurn and trample upon. What is the meaning of this excerpt

It means that the walk from the prison-door to the marketplace seems trecherous and long to Hester Prynne.

Explanation:

Nathanael Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter" is about the story of Hester Prynne, a woman convicted of adultery, and the "punishment" that was given to her. The novel also deals with themes of society, religion, good vs. evil, public shaming, social stigma, etc.

In the given excerpt, the narrator is talking about the "walk" from the prison door to the marketplace where Hester will be 'on display' for the public to see. The narrator reveals, "measured by the prisoner's experience, [the walk] might be reckoned a journey of some length" which is how it was more of "an agony from every footstep" for Hester. These lines show how Hester thinks the walk is long and treacherous for her.

B ;)

Explanation:

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