What event has occurred prior to chapter 1 that has led to Hester's imprisonment?
What is Hester carrying when she emerges from jail in Chapter 2? What explanation is given in Chapter 3?
These sites have the text of these first two chapters of The Scarlet Letter.
http://www.ibiblio.org/eldritch/nh/sl02.html
http://www.ibiblio.org/eldritch/nh/sl03.html
To find out the event that occurred prior to chapter 1, which led to Hester's imprisonment, you will need to read the beginning chapters of the book or access a summary of the story. "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a widely studied novel, so there are several resources available. Here's how you can proceed:
1. Read the book: Obtain a copy of "The Scarlet Letter" and start reading from the beginning. The event leading to Hester's imprisonment will be revealed as the story unfolds, providing you with the necessary context.
2. Search for chapter summaries: If you don't have access to the book or prefer not to read the entire novel, search for chapter summaries online. Many websites provide detailed chapter-by-chapter summaries of popular books. Look for summaries specific to "The Scarlet Letter" and find the summary for chapter 1. This will inform you of the event that led to Hester's imprisonment.
3. Consult study guides or analysis: Additionally, you can refer to study guides, literary analysis, or critical essays on "The Scarlet Letter." These resources often provide a comprehensive overview of the story, including key events and character backgrounds. They can help you understand the event preceding chapter 1 and its significance to the plot.
By employing one or more of these methods, you should be able to find the event that occurred before chapter 1, leading to Hester's imprisonment.