Where have Hester and Dimmesdale decided to go when they leave Boston? Europe rather than New World?

• A. The Old World (Europe), it was more sheltering and concealing there than in America.
• B. The New World, for a fresh start.
• C. Asia, for trade.
• D. Africa, to escape.

Answer: (A)

Hester and Dimmesdale seek a place where their sin can be more easily concealed and where they can start anew away from Boston’s harsh moral scrutiny. Hawthorne presents Europe as the Old World, with older, more cosmopolitan communities and less rigid public judgment, offering greater anonymity and shelter. That makes Europe the best choice because it aligns with their desire to escape the intense scrutiny of Puritan America and to give Pearl a chance at a new life. The other destinations don’t fit this aim: the New World would bring them into the same harsh climate of judgment, while Asia or Africa aren’t tied to the narrative’s focus on finding a discreet, tolerant setting for their family.