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In Chapter III of "The Scarlet Letter" as Hester clutches her child "fiercely to her breast" and realises her shame, she then looks outward and discerns a familiar form with one shoulder lower than the other. And, when this distorted figure dressed in Indian garbs makes eye contact with her, he places his finger on his lips to communicate silence to Hester. As humiliated as Hester is before the throng, she yet dreads the moment when "its protection should be withdrawn from her" and she be in the presence of this man alone.
Finally, when Hester is returned to the prison, the jailer is followed by this stranger "of singular aspect." His experiences "in alchemy" enable him to tend to the nervous child, but Hester repels the medicine, fearing that he will do harm to her little Pearl; however, he convinces her that his intentions are harmless. When he provides Hester a calming drink, she hesitates again. The stranger speaks to her while touching the scarlet letter:
Live, therefore, and bear about thy doom with thee, ...in the eyes of him whom thou didst call thy husband....And, that thou mayest live, take off this draught.
As he takes a chair, Hester senses his "refined cruelty." Revealing his real reason for visiting her, Hester's husband demands that she reveal who her lover is; Hester replies, "That thou shalt never know!"
With chilling cruelty, the man declares, "Sooner or later, he must needs be mine!" Frightened, Hester answers, "But thy words interpret thee as a terror!" As the interview continues, Roger Chillingworth, as he calls himself, asks Hester if she is not afraid of nightmares.
'Why dost thou smile so at me?' asks Hester. 'Art thous like the Black Man that haunts the forest round about us? Hast thou entice me into a bond that will prove the ruin of my soul?'
'Not thy soul,' he answers with another smile. 'No, not thine.'
With terror, Hester realizes that Roger Chillingworth's words "He will be mine" denote that he will claim the very soul and psyche of the father of the child.
Hester's feelings toward the stranger, who turns out to be her long-lost husband, are conflicted. She feels a mix of fear, guilt, and confusion upon his sudden appearance, as it brings back painful memories and threatens to disrupt her new life. At the same time, there may also be a sense of hope or longing for reconciliation, as it represents a potential opportunity to put the past behind her.
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What is Hesters talent in The Scarlet Letter?
Sewing
In what sense is pearl related to The Scarlet Letter?
Pearls clothing is the same color as Hesters Scarlet Letter.
Who is the father of Hesters baby in scarlet letter?
The father of Hester's baby in "The Scarlet Letter" is Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale.
In chapter 2 of The Scarlet Letter what is Hesters sin?
In Chapter 2 of "The Scarlet Letter," Hester's sin is revealed to be adultery, as she has had a child out of wedlock. She is publicly shamed and required to wear a scarlet letter "A" on her chest to signify her sin.
In The Scarlet Letter what does the stranger learn from the townsman next to him?
Nothing.
What purpose does Pearl serve in The Scarlet Letter why does the novel need her?
Pearl serves as a symbol of sin and redemption in "The Scarlet Letter," representing the consequences of Hester Prynne's adultery. Her presence is essential to the novel's exploration of themes such as guilt, shame, and salvation, adding depth to the story and serving as a constant reminder of the characters' inner turmoil.
What was hesters clothes color?
Hester Prynne in Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel "The Scarlet Letter" wears a scarlet-red dress and a letter 'A' embroidered in gold on it. The red color symbolizes passion, sin, and defiance in the story.
What detail is given in The Scarlet Letter that suggests that Hesters baby was born in jail?
Hester Prynne's baby was not costumed to sunlight, which suggests that it was born in the dark jail.
What does the stranger make Hester promise to him in The Scarlet Letter?
The stranger, Roger Chillingworth, is Hester's husband. He does not want people to know that he is her husband.
What is Hesters skill in The Scarlet Letter?
Hester Prynne's skill in "The Scarlet Letter" is sewing. She is a talented seamstress and embroiderer, which is why she works as a seamstress in the Puritan community where she lives. Hester uses her skill in sewing to support herself and her daughter, Pearl, after being shunned by society for committing adultery.
Who is the man with one shoulder higher then the other in the story scarlet letter?
the stranger that we later find out is roger chillingworth Hester's husband
In the scarlet letter what clues of the identity of the stranger does hawthorne provide in chapter three?
In Chapter Three of "The Scarlet Letter," Hawthorne provides clues about the identity of the stranger by describing him as having a scholarly appearance and a respectable demeanor. The stranger also seems to have familiarity with the townspeople and their private affairs, raising suspicions about his connection to Hester Prynne and her daughter Pearl. These clues suggest that the stranger may have a significant role in the unfolding events of the story.
