Quotes and Meanings from The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

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Quote Meaning/Significance “The magistrate are God-fearing gentlemen, but merciful overmuch, - that is a truth," added a third autumnal matron. "At the very least, they should have put the brand of a hot iron on Hester Prynne's forehead. Madame Hester would have winced at that, I warrant me. But she, - the naughty baggage, - little will she care what they put upon the bodice of her gown! Why, look you, she may cover it with a brooch, or such like heathenish adornment, and so walk the streets as brave as ever!” - Chapter 2, paragraph 5 According to the matron, she thinks that being publicly shamed is a bit too merciful. Although this particular woman does not promote that Hester be executed, another woman does. She also mentions that Hester would not care even a little bit what they put on her gown and that she would be brave, walking around the town with absolutely little/no shame. "Ah, but," interposed, more softly, a young wife, holding a child by the hand, "let her cover the mark as she will, the pang of it will be always in her heart." - Chapter 2, paragraph 5-6 Not everyone in the crowd wants to see Hester burn at the stake. This woman understands that Hester is so busy judging herself that she hardly cares what happens to her publicly. In a moment, however, wisely judging that one token of her shame would but poorly serve to hide another, she took the baby on her arm, and, with a burning bluish, and yet a haughty smile, and a glance that would not be abashed, looked around at her townspeople and neighbours. On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread, appeared the letter A. - Chapter 2, paragraph 10 At this time, the Puritan town is surround... ... middle of paper ... ...eril of death and infamy, and the inscrutable machinations of an enemy; that, finally, to this poor pilgrim, on his dreary and desert path, faint, sick, miserable, there appeared a glimpse of human affection and sympathy, a new life, and a true one, in exchange for the heavy doom which he was now expiating. - Chapter 18, paragraph 4 At this point in the book, Arthur is deciding whether or not he wants to run away with Hester. It’s a close call, but he decides to remain in the community, living with his guilt. "Doth he love us?" said Pearl, looking up with acute intelligence into her mother's face. "Will he go back with us, hand in hand, we three together, into the town?" - Chapter 19, paragraph 33 Pearl is questioning whether Arthur (her father) loves them or not. She wants to look up to him as father figure and have him in her life, living with them as a family.

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