At his arrival in the market–place, and some time before she saw him, the stranger had bent his eyes on Hester Prynne. It was carelessly at first, like a man chiefly accustomed to look inward, and to whom external matters are of little value and import, unless they bear relation to something within his mind. Very soon, however, his look became keen and penetrative. A writhing horror twisted itself across his features, like a snake gliding swiftly over them, and making one little pause, with all its wreathed intervolutions in open sight. His face darkened with some powerful emotion, which, nevertheless, he so instantaneously controlled by an effort of his will, that, save at a single moment, its expression might have passed for calmness. After a brief space, the convulsion grew almost imperceptible, and finally subsided into the depths of his nature. When he found the eyes of Hester Prynne fastened on his own, and saw that she appeared to recognize him, he slowly and calmly raised his finger, made a gesture with it in the air, and laid it on his lips.

Question

Highlight all of the words and/or phrases that describe “He” or the “white man, clad in a strange disarray of civilized and savage costume.”

Based on this imagery, what kind of man is “he”?

Answer 1

In the passage you provided, the descriptions that relate to "he" or the “white man, clad in a strange disarray of civilized and savage costume” can be highlighted as follows:

• "a stranger"
• "bent his eyes on Hester Prynne"
• "carelessly at first"
• "chiefly accustomed to look inward"
• "to whom external matters are of little value and import"
• "keen and penetrative"
• "a writhing horror twisted itself across his features"
• "like a snake gliding swiftly over them"
• "making one little pause"
• "darkened with some powerful emotion"
• "instantaneously controlled by an effort of his will"
• "might have passed for calmness"
• "the convulsion grew almost imperceptible"
• "finally subsided into the depths of his nature"
• "slowly and calmly raised his finger"
• "made a gesture with it in the air"
• "laid it on his lips"

Based on this imagery, "he" appears to be a complex and conflicted figure. He is initially described with a penchant for introspection, suggesting a deeply internalized character who is not easily swayed by external circumstances. However, as the passage progresses, it becomes evident that he experiences intense emotions—horror and turmoil—suggesting a tortured or anguished soul. His ability to control his expression and revert to calmness implies a struggle with his inner self, showcasing a man who grapples with powerful feelings yet maintains a facade of composure. Additionally, the description of his clothing as a "strange disarray of civilized and savage costume" implies a blending or conflict between the civilized and primal aspects of his identity, hinting at duality and perhaps moral ambiguity. Overall, he can be interpreted as a man trapped between opposing forces, reflective of deeper themes regarding nature and society.