From this intense consciousness of being the object of severe and universal observation, the wearer of the scarlet letter was at length relieved, by discerning, on the outskirts of the crowd, a figure which irresistibly took possession of her thoughts. An Indian in his native garb was standing there; but the red men were not so infrequent visitors of the English settlements that one of them would have attracted any notice from Hester Prynne at such a time; much less would he have excluded all other objects and ideas from her mind. By the Indian’s side, and evidently sustaining a companionship with him, stood a white man, clad in a strange disarray of civilized and savage costume.
Highlight all words and phrases that identify and/or describe Native Americans in this paragraph.
Name the tone of these words.
He was small in stature, with a furrowed visage, which as yet could hardly be termed aged. There was a remarkable intelligence in his features, as of a person who had so cultivated his mental part that it could not fail to mould the physical to itself and become manifest by unmistakable tokens. Although, by a seemingly careless arrangement of his heterogeneous garb, he had endeavoured to conceal or abate the peculiarity, it was sufficiently evident to Hester Prynne that one of this man’s shoulders rose higher than the other. Again, at the first instant of perceiving that thin visage, and the slight deformity of the figure, she pressed her infant to her bosom with so convulsive a force that the poor babe uttered another cry of pain. But the mother did not seem to hear it.
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”?
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.
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”?
Then touching the shoulder of a townsman who stood near to him, he addressed him in a formal and courteous manner:
“I pray you, good Sir,” said he, “who is this woman?—and wherefore is she here set up to public shame?”
“You must needs be a stranger in this region, friend,” answered the townsman, looking curiously at the questioner and his savage companion, “else you would surely have heard of Mistress Hester Prynne and her evil doings. She hath raised a great scandal, I promise you, in godly Master Dimmesdale’s church. ”
“You say truly,” replied the other; “I am a stranger, and have been a wanderer, sorely against my will. I have met with grievous mishaps by sea and land, and have been long held in bonds among the heathen–folk to the southward; and am now brought hither by this Indian to be redeemed out of my captivity. Will it please you, therefore, to tell me of Hester Prynne’s—have I her name rightly?—of this woman’s offences, and what has brought her to yonder scaffold?”
Highlight the words and phrases that continue to describe the white man who arrived with the Indians.
How does the white man describe his time with the Indians? What inferences can be made about his experiences?
“Truly, friend; and methinks it must gladden your heart, after your troubles and sojourn in the wilderness,” said the townsman, “to find yourself at length in a land where iniquity is searched out and punished in the sight of rulers and people, as here in our godly New England. Yonder woman, Sir, you must know, was the wife of a certain learned man, English by birth, but who had long ago dwelt in Amsterdam, whence some good time agone he was minded to cross over and cast in his lot with us of the Massachusetts. To this purpose he sent his wife before him, remaining himself to look after some necessary affairs. Marry, good Sir, in some two years, or less, that the woman has been a dweller here in Boston, no tidings have come of this learned gentleman, Master Prynne; and his young wife, look you, being left to her own misguidance—”
How does the townsman describe the town in contrast to the wilderness?
What is the relationship between the townspeople and the Indians?
How does this short excerpt reveal the townspeople’s attitude toward the Indians?
1 answer
Highlighted Words and Phrases Identifying and Describing Native Americans
"An Indian in his native garb"
"the red men"
"heathen-folk"
Tone of These Words
The tone of these words reflects an outsider's perspective that may carry a sense of otherness or exoticism. The use of "heathen-folk" particularly suggests a judgmental or dismissive view, implying a moral or cultural superiority over Native Americans and a perception of them as uncivilized.
Highlighted Words and Phrases Describing "He" or the "White Man"
"small in stature"
"furrowed visage"
"remarkable intelligence"
"cultivated his mental part"
"strange disarray of civilized and savage costume"
"thin visage"
"slight deformity of the figure"
"carelessly arranged"
"keen and penetrative"
"writhing horror"
"darkened with some powerful emotion"
"instantaneously controlled by an effort of his will"
"calmness"
Description of "He"
Based on this imagery, the white man is characterized as complex and conflicted. He demonstrates intelligence and introspection but also figures a sort of emotional turmoil that he attempts to control. His "strange disarray" suggests he may be caught between two worlds—civilized and savage—reflecting an inner struggle regarding his identity and experiences.
Highlighted Words and Phrases Describing the White Man with the Indians
"good Sir"
"who is this woman?"
"have met with grievous mishaps"
"long held in bonds among the heathen-folk"
"brought hither by this Indian"
Description of His Time with the Indians
The white man describes his time with the Indians as a difficult experience, suggesting he was in a state of captivity and possibly faced hardships ("grievous mishaps"). His phrase "held in bonds among the heathen-folk" hints at a negative experience, associating the natives with captivity and suffering, which could imply he perceives them as an impediment to his freedom and well-being.
Townsman’s Description of the Town vs. Wilderness
The townsman describes the town as a place where "iniquity is searched out and punished," presenting it as a moral and civilized society. In contrast, the wilderness implies a lawless and chaotic environment corresponding with the presence of the Indians and the inherent dangers and moral ambiguity associated with it.
Relationship Between Townspeople and Indians
The relationship between the townspeople and the Indians appears antagonistic. The townspeople view the Indians as a threat or as "heathen-folk," indicating a lack of respect for their culture and perhaps a desire to maintain a civilized, orderly community distinct from the "savage" elements represented by the Indians.
Townspeople’s Attitude Toward the Indians
This short excerpt reveals the townspeople's attitudes toward the Indians as dismissive and condescending. They regard the Indians through a lens of superiority, viewing them as uncivilized and menacing. The townspeople's pride in their societal order stands in stark contrast to their characterization of Indians as chaotic and primitive, reflecting broader themes of cultural dominance and colonial attitudes prevalent in the time period.
1 answer