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.

Question

Highlight all words and phrases that identify and/or describe Native Americans in this paragraph.

Name the tone of these words.

Answer 1

The words and phrases that identify and/or describe Native Americans in the paragraph are:

• "Indian"
• "native garb"
• "red men"

The tone of these words can be described as detached or observational. The language suggests an attempt at an objective description, though it may carry historical connotations that reflect the perspectives and attitudes of the time regarding Native Americans. The term "red men," for instance, is outdated and can be viewed as pejorative in contemporary contexts, hinting at a tone that may also be interpreted as condescending or stereotypical.