"but did ever a woman, before this brazen hussy, contrive such a way of showing it? Why, gossips, what is it but to laugh in the faces of our godly magistrates, and make a pride out of what they, worthy gentlemen, meant for a punishment?" (pg 51)
a woman is saying that by making the best of her situation Hester is being disrespectful toward the magistrates. Hester knows that the crime that she has committed is not as severe as to be punished by death and maybe the crime is to light for full punishment. So by making the best out of the situation Hester can hopefully lighten the other community-members thoughts about her as well as the actual punishment.
Think about the word choices here: "HUSSY". What exactly is Hester doing to show disrespect?
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