Quotations: Window to Understanding Stories

       Quotes play an important role in stories. They not only show the main points of the story, but in many cases it also portrays the personalities of the many characters. When Pearl speaks to her mother, Hester, she states that “’[the sun] is afraid of something on [Hester’s] bosom. . . . [but she wears] nothing on [her] bosom yet!’” and even asks, “’Will it not come of its own accord, when I am a woman grown?’”(157). These quotes show how aware Pearl is of her surroundings, as she notices that people treat her mother strangely because of the scarlet “A” on her chest, which is shown through her metaphorical reference in the lack of sunshine. It also shows that she is very naïve, as she believes that she will also have an “A” on her chest when she gets older as well. This can also be seen, however, the author’s belief that when one gets older, they are inevitably going to sin, because Pearl knows that other women in the town do not have scarlet letters on displayed on their clothing. When Hester is finally free from everything, she realizes that “She had not known the weight, until she felt the freedom” from the scarlet letter (172). This shows how much pressure and stress society can place on an individual. Although Hester does not seem to let the people of the town get to her, when she is finally free of the mark, she finally realizes how big of an impact it had on her life. This can be seen in everyday life as well, as things that may not seem important or significant, they could actually greatly influence our thoughts and actions. One quote from the story I found especially true was the following: “No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the true” (183). Many people, like the minister, try to hide behind a mask when they are around others. Most of the time, this is to protect oneself, as the author is trying to say through the story. The minister cannot let other townspeople know it was him who had the affair with Hester throughout the story as it would affect his image and how others portrayed him. But we all know how hard it is to keep a front and pretend to be something you are not, and the minister definitely felt the difficulty. Sometimes it’s really hard to decide whether to put on a mask, in order to protect yourself, or to make yourself vulnerable by opening your true self for the world. Through many quotes in the story, the author reveals many struggles and truths about life through the main characters, Pearl, Hester and the minister, Mr. Dimmesdale.

Will I Be Pretty, Will I Be Rich?

            Twenty-five. The prime age of life. I often wonder what would life be like for me at that age. Just like the song "Que Sera Sera", I would often ask my mother: Will I be pretty? Will I be rich? I am actually still quite unclear of what exactly it is that I want to do. There are just too many possibilities; too many paths to choose from. It's all quite overwhelming.

             At the age of twenty-five, I see myself graduated from university, probably with a major in commerce. I would be an owner of a little café in downtown Vancouver called Mago, meaning magic. Ever since I was a little girl, I have had an enormous interest in cooking, especially making desserts. Something I especially enjoy making is tiramisu, and it would probably be the feature food at Mago. I would also utilize the skills that I have gained working at Starbucks, as well as the business skills I would’ve acquired in university, incorporating them into my own company.

            Another possibility would be going into forensics. I love solving mysteries and finding out the truth behind everything. CSI is also my favourite show on TV because the criminals, no matter how cunning, are always caught. There is so much crime in this world, and if I were to become a crime scene investigator, I would be able to do something about the unlawful the punishment they deserve. I would be able to bring the families of the victims closure.

            At the age of twenty-five, I’d hope to have achieved a lot in life, not only with my career, but I would also hope to have already been, or close to being married. I’ve always wanted to live in a small, cozy house, with two dogs, one Yorkshire terrier and one golden retriever, as well as my husband, or fiancée. I don’t ask for much in life, just the bare necessities, with enough for the occasional splurge here and there. I hope to become successful in whatever career I choose, and be able to make a living out of it. At twenty-five, I’d be happy, and successful.

The Scarlet Letter: Hester Prynne

        Not long after marrying young to an elderly husband, Hester Prynne was soon left alone in the New England village.  After waiting two years for her husband’s return, she finds herself caught in a romantic relationship with, surprisingly, a minister in the Puritan community, and even has an illegitimate child. Throughout the story, Hester maintains her sense of pride, regardless of all the humiliation and shame she suffers through. She is forced suffer the ignominy of wearing a scarlet letter “A”, for adulteress, embroidered on her dress, which alienates her from the rest of the community. Despite being labelled as a “malefactress” (48) and a “woman who has bought shame” (49) upon all the other women, even after being put on show for all too see her indignity, she is able to stand tall, and not let others get to her:

“Yet there were intervals when the whole scene…seemed to vanish from her eyes...Her mind, and especially her memory… kept bringing up…the most trifling and immaterial, passages of infancy and school-days, sports, childish quarrels, and the little domestic traits of her maiden years, came swarming back upon her…Possibly, it was an instinctive device of her spirit, to relieve itself…from the cruel weight and hardness of the reality” (53-54).

        

       Though others may see Hester Prynne as a sinner, someone unworthy of sympathizing, I truly admire her strength, and sympathize her current situation. I believe the act she committed was purely out of loneliness, considering she was away from her husband for two years. That being said, I don't think this makes her act completely excusable, but if this had been done by a man, would the consequences have been different?