Through the Lenses of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
The Test
Psych (C)…Hawthorne: "That unhappy man had made the very principle of his life to consist in the pursuit and
systematic exercise of revenge; and when by its completest triumph and consummation, that evil principle was left
with no material to support it…"
Psych (C)…Dimmesdale: “There is one worst than even the polluted priest! That old man’s revenge has been blacker
than my sin. He has violated, in cold blood, the sanctity of a human heart.”
Nature…Hawthorne: “It straggled onward into the mystery of the primevil forest. This hemmed it in so narrowly, and
stood so black and dense on either side, and imposed such imperfect glimpses of the sky above, that, to Hester’s mind,
it imaged not amiss the moral wilderness in which she had so long been wandering.”
Nature…Hester: “Would he not suddenly sink into the earth, leaving a barren and blasted spot, where, in due course
of time, would be seen deadly nightshade, dogwood, henbane, and whatever else of vegetable wickedness the climate
could produce, all flourishing with hideous luxuriance [about Chillingworth]?” (Hawthorne 158)
Nature…Hawthorne: “In his Indian captivity, moreover, he had gained much knowledge of the properties of native
herbs and roots; nor did he conceal from his patients, that these simple medicines, Nature’s boon to the untutored
savage, had quite as large a share of his own confidence as the European pharmacopoeia, which so many learned
doctors had spent centuries in elaborating.” (Hawthorne 106)
Nature…Hawthorne: “But on one side of the portal, and rooted almost at the threshold, was a wild rosebush, covered,
in this month of June, with its delicate gems, which might be imagined to offer their fragrance and fragile beauty to the
prisoner as he went in, and to the condemned criminal as he came forth to his doom, in token that the deep heart of
Nature could pity and be kind to him.” (Hawthorne 42)
Biographical…Townsman: “To this purpose, he sent his wife before him, remaining himself to look after some
necessary affairs. Marry, good Sir, in some two years, or less, that the woman has been a dweller here in Boston.” (55)
Biographical…Hawthorne: “She had wandered, without rule or guidance, in a moral wilderness; as vast, as intricate
and shadowy, as the untamed forest, amid the gloom of which they were now holding a colloquy that was to decide
their fate.” (182)
Biographical…Hawthorne: “Just where she had paused, the brook chanced to form a pool so smooth and quiet that it
reflected a perfect image of her little figure, with all the brilliant picturesqueness of her beauty, in its adornment of
flowers and wreathed foliage, but more refined and spiritualized than the reality.” (189)
Sociological…Townsman: “Else you would surely have heard of mistress Hester Prynne, and her evil doings she hath
raised a great scandal, I promise you, in godly master Dimmesdale’s church” (Hawthorne, 54).
Sociological…Children: “Behold, verily, there is the woman of the scarlet letter and of a truth, moreover, there is the
likeness of the scarlet letter running by her side! Come therefore and let us fling mud at them” (Hawthorne, 91).
Sociological…Chillingworth: “‘Madman, hold! What is your purpose?’ whispered he. ‘Wave back that
woman! Cast off this child! All shall be well! Do not blacken your fame and perish in dishonor! I can yet
save you! Would you bring infamy on your sacred profession?’” (Hawthorne, 230).
Sociological…Hawthorne: “And, as Hester Prynne had no selfish ends, not lived in any measure for her own profit
and enjoyment, people brought all their sorrows and perplexities and besought her counsel, as one who had herself
gone through a mighty trouble” (Hawthorne, 239).
Symbol (scaffold)…Hawthorne: “Walking in the shadow of a dream, as it were, and perhaps actually under the
influence of somnambulism, Mr. Dimmesdale reached the spot where, now so long since, Hester Prynne had lived
through her first hours of public ignominy.” (132)
Symbol (scaffold)…Woman in crowd: “This woman has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die.” (45)
Symbol (scaffold)…Hawthorne: “It is remarkable that persons who speculate the most boldly often conform with the
most perfect quietude to the external regulations of society.” (148)
Sociological(?) (D)…Hawthorne: “The people looked, with an unshaken hope, to see the minister come forth out of
the conflict. Transfigured with glory which he would unquestionably win.”
Sociological (?) (D)…Dimmesdale: “‘Ye that have loved me! – Ye that have deemed me holy! – Behold me here, the
one sinner of the world!’”
Sociological (?) (D)…Townsperson: “‘People say,’ said another ‘that the Reverend Master Dimmesdale, her godly
pastor, takes it very grievously to heart that such a scandal should come upon his congregation.’”
Sociological (?) (D)…Dimmesdale: “‘It is done!’ muttered the minister, covering face with his hands. ‘The whole
town will awake, and hurry forth, and find me here!’”
Psych (D)…Dimmesdale: “Hester Prynne, thou hearest what this good man says, and seest the accountability under
which I labor…I charge you to speak out the name of thy fellow sinner and fellow-sufferer.” (58)
Psych (D)…Hawthorne: “To Hester’s eye, the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale exhibited no symptom of positive and
vivacious suffering—except that he kept his hand over his heart.” (171)
Psych (D)…Dimmesdale: “—behold me here, the one sinner of the world! At last!—at last!—I stand upon the spot
where, seven years since, I should have stood; here, with this woman, whose arm more that the little strength
wherewith I have crept hitherward, sustains me at this dreadful moment, from groveling down upon my face!” (232)
Psych (D)…Hawthorne: “For some unaccountable reason, as Arthur Dimmesdale felt the child’s eyes upon himself,
his hand—with that gesture so habitual as to have become involuntary—stole over his heart.” (190)
Historical…Bellignham: ”’We will judge waringly,’ said Bellingham, ‘and look well what we are about to do. Good
master Wilson, I pray you, examine this Pearl—since that is her name—and see whether she hath had such Christian
nurture as befits a child of her age.”’ (98-99)
Historical…”was thrust the face of Mistresss Hibbins, Governor Bellignham’s bitter-tempered sister, and the same
who, a few years later was executed as a witch…’Wilt thou go with us tonight? There will be merry company in the
forest; and I well-nigh promised the Black Man that comely Hester Prynne should make one.” (104)
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BONUS: A “carlet etter” is…
a strange, eel-like water creature that Pearl plays with.
a shawl-like covering Puritan women used to keep warm in church.
a covering for a piece of furniture that protects it against stains and spills.
a small European vehicle in which Hester, Arty D, and Pearl escape.