Colonial wife Hester has an unruly tongue. Raised by two doting grandparents, she is very spoiled and selfish, and when she is married at 18 to a man ten years older, he is forced to take her fimly in hand. But the lessons are not fully learned, and when, after one year of marriage, she publically berates another, older woman, a complaint is lodged against her with the town Elders.This is no laughing matter in Colonial America. She could be punished publically, and she and her husband might even be banished from the colony. Hester's husband Caleb informs the Elders he will punish his wife and because of his reputation in the community, they decide to allow it. Caleb knows he must impress on his wife the full seriousness of what she has done, and he decrees seven days of punishment. He knows that only through extreme shame and pain will Hester fully learn this lesson. This is a harsh story, as Hester is subjected to hard spankings and switchings, as well as mouth soaping, anal insertions, and breast and genital punishment.