In The Scarlet Letter, why does Hester stand during the procession and during Dimmesdale's sermon in the church?

stands at the foot of the scaffold during the sermon since the rest of the town deem it
inappropriate for an adulteress to sit among them in the church. That Hester is standing beside
the same scaffold on which she was originally condemned before the entire community shows that
she is still solely defined by her sin among the Puritan townspeople and leaders. She is still
an outcast.

At this point, Hester andare seeking to run away from their shame
by takingand going away to a place where no one knows of their sin. They do this instead of
redeeming themselves and moving beyond their adultery, which makes Hester's still standing
beside the scaffold take on further meaning. It not only reflects her position in the community,
but how she is actually taking a step back in her spiritual progression as well. By running away
from her problems, she is still letting herself be defined by them instead of moving
forward.

During this scene, she learns thatknows of her and Dimmesdale's
plans to run away together. Ironically, Dimmesdale seemed more "vigorous" during the
procession, and this new development bodes ill for the lovers.