Answer:
The act of marking Hester Prynne with a scarlet letter maintains discipline in the community, as other people become afraid of being similarly shamed.
Explanation:
In <em>Scarlet Letter</em>, Hester Prynne is punished for adultery. Her husband has been lost at sea. Meanwhile, Hester had a relationship with another man and gave birth to a child. For that reason, and because she does not reveal the identity of child's father, she is forced to wear a scarlet letter.
Hester is publicly humiliated, and people want to avoid such a shame. By using Hester's example, the authorities want to warn people what will happen if they not abide by the rules established in their society. The act of marking Hester with scarlet letter is conceived to frighten people.
