How do most townspeople regard Hester's punishment in The Scarlet Letter?

The women
of the town are particularly vindictive and cold towardsand are waiting on the day her fate is
first decided to cast judgement on her. Most every woman of the town is the very image of a
staunch puritanical prude and contends throughout the beginning of the novel that Hester's
punishment was far too lenient. They would, given their way, have the letter branded on her
forehead instead of worn on her clothes. This is even relatively mild compared to others, who
would have her exiled or even killed.

Many of the women are described as
being homely and plain, and indeed, they seem envious of Hester's beauty. They insist that this
is why the male magistrates went easy on her.