“At the very least, they should have put the brand of hot iron on Hester Prynne’s forehead. [..] let her cover the mark as she will, the pang of it will be always in her heart.” (49)
- The quotation shows the varying differences in opinion between the “gossips” of the town. The woman all have their own opinions about the punishment and about Hester. They all think negatively of her. When she comes out with the scarlet letter sewn to her dress they are at first surprised. They never thought that she would bear the mark so willingly. Then they shift into knocking her down and claim that she is mocking the magistrates. They obviously feel that she is lower than them because of her sin, and that she should suffer for it.
How will the “gossips’” views affect Hester? Will they do anything to make the punishment worse?
“Here, there was the taint of deepest sin in the most sacred quality of human life, working such effect, that the world was only the darker for this woman’s beauty, and the more lost for the infant that she borne.” (53)
- In this selection we see a comparison made between Mary and Hester. They explain how Mary was sinless and her son was sent to redeem the world. In the case of Hester Prynne she was tainted with sin, and her child would lose a lot for her sin. It is the complete opposite to the story of Mary. The whole paragraph draws a comparison between the two incidents. It will be an important element to keep in mind, and will most likely play out bad for Hester. If Mary was sinless and her son suffered, Hester’s child will surely suffer for her sin.
How will this comparison develop during the story?
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