Question

Read this excerpt from chapter 1 of The Scarlet Letter using comprehension strategies.

Answer 1

Answer:

C. The rosebush is nature’s offering to those who must enter or leave the prison.

Explanation:

But, on one side of the portal, and rooted almost at the threshold, was a wild rose-bush, covered, in this month of June, with its delicate gems, which might be imagined to offer their fragrance and fragile beauty to the prisoner as he went in, and to the condemned criminal as he came forth to his doom, in token that the deep heart of Nature could pity and be kind to him.

Answer 2

Answer:

The meaning is that there's hope and beauty in life and in the world even when all surrounding may look dark and hopeless. As he mentions Pearl as the Blossom of the passions in his life.

Explanation:

The rose is a symbol of endurance, the Rosebush will prevail no matter how many people are gone through time. It also represents survival after harsh times, it is in the entrance of prison so it is the last thing that gives you hope in beauty when you enter and is the first thing that shows you the world is not hostile when you come out. There's also a metaphor between the blossoms and Pearl she is mention as the result of the passion that roses give.