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The Scarlet Letter The Supernatural Quotes Page 1
Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
| Quote #1 It might be, too, that a witch, like old Mistress Hibbons, the bitter tempered widow of the magistrate, was to die upon the gallows. (2.1) |
From the very beginning of this story, Mistress Hibbons is associated with witchcraft. All we really know of her is that she’s a witch who likes to chill in the woods with other witches and who will be executed in a few years. How would this story be different if she weren’t in it? When Hester and Dimmesdale meet in the woods, is Mistress Hibbons watching?
| Quote #2 It had the affect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity and enclosing her in a sphere by herself. (2.11) |
It’s amazing how a patch of cloth and thread that Hester herself embroiders can lead to her complete isolation. Throughout this story, the A is often described as having supernatural powers. The word “spell” used in this moment makes us think of magic and witchcraft and sorcerers. Using this idea, is Hester the only one under the letter’s spell? Who else might be under its spell? And if Hester made the letter herself, who cast the spell?
| Quote #3 It was whispered, by those who peered after her, that the scarlet letter threw a lurid gleam along the dark passageway of the interior. (3.33) |
Now, this is where The Scarlet Letter begins to sound a bit like a fairy tale or a fable. We know that, in reality, the scarlet letter probably was not glowing, but as readers we’re not so concerned with reality, are we? As we get used to the world of this story, we realize that anything can happen. We totally believe that Hester’s letter glows, that Chillingworth’s eyes blaze red with fire at times, that the meteor is in the shape of an "A," that witches ride their broomsticks, etc. What do you make of these supernatural occurrences? Why is it significant that the townspeople see Hester’s letter glow red?
