Hester Prynne Scarlet Letter Quotes
How could breaking your promise with your husband, being shunned by society, and disobeying a commandment given by God possibly be good? In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne the book's main character, was forced to wear a scarlet stitched letter “A” on her chest after she had committed adultery. Although Hester was shamed and shunned by society she was lucky by Puritan standards to not be physically punished or even killed (“Puritan” US). Many adulterers in the Massachusetts Bay Company were subjected to public whippings and public executions (“Puritan” US). Hester’s sinful act was obviously very selfish and evil, Hester’s confession and punishment, which may seem extremely harsh in today's world, changed her for
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Hawthorne on page 80 wrote, “She shuddered to believe, yet could not help believing, that it gave her a sympathetic knowledge of the hidden sin in others hearts” (Hawthorne 80). This quote most definitely proves that Hester believed she had a newfound sense of sympathy. Hester’s newfound sense likely was a result of her own wrongdoing and punishment. She learned to sympathize with others who sinned once she herself sinned. The reason Hester developed sympathy can best be summed up by a popular quote from the book To Kill a Mockingbird which states, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it" (Lee 30). Hester Prynne was was walking in sinner’s skin. Hester was not just sympathizing with common people however. It was also written on page 80, “Sometimes the red infamy upon her breast would give a sympathetic throb, as she passed near a venerable minister or magistrate” (Hawthorne 80). Hester did not just sympathize but she could sense evil hidden deep in the hearts of even well respected, wise community leaders. Hester developed into a better person who could sense transgression that had not been brought to light, and she learned to sympathize and show compassion for other transgressors. Eventually Hester not only showed compassion for other sinners but also people who were poor and had very little
Hawthorne on page 80 wrote, “She shuddered to believe, yet could not help believing, that it gave her a sympathetic knowledge of the hidden sin in others hearts” (Hawthorne 80). This quote most definitely proves that Hester believed she had a newfound sense of sympathy. Hester’s newfound sense likely was a result of her own wrongdoing and punishment. She learned to sympathize with others who sinned once she herself sinned. The reason Hester developed sympathy can best be summed up by a popular quote from the book To Kill a Mockingbird which states, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it" (Lee 30). Hester Prynne was was walking in sinner’s skin. Hester was not just sympathizing with common people however. It was also written on page 80, “Sometimes the red infamy upon her breast would give a sympathetic throb, as she passed near a venerable minister or magistrate” (Hawthorne 80). Hester did not just sympathize but she could sense evil hidden deep in the hearts of even well respected, wise community leaders. Hester developed into a better person who could sense transgression that had not been brought to light, and she learned to sympathize and show compassion for other transgressors. Eventually Hester not only showed compassion for other sinners but also people who were poor and had very little