2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 278-288

The event: "Nevertheless, just to be sure, Hawthorne picks one of the roses and explains that this will serve "to symbolize some sweet moral blossom" which, he says, will "relieve the darkening close of a tale of human frailty and sorrow." This event struck me. It struck me, because you get an image of Nathaniel Hawthorne picking roses and picking symbols for them. A sweet moral blossom gives me an image of Hester Prynne, also being a human of frailty and sorrow. The roses grew outside the jail where Hester Prynne was kept. (Pg. 278)

The event: "She has an infant in her arms, and what with this and "the heavy weight of a thousand unrelenting eyes," is really burdened down. This event struck me, because you can imagine what Hester went through. The heavy weight of a thousand unrelenting eyes gives you a clear view of how painful the punishment was. She had to go through that weight, everyday of her life. I'm surprised that Hester didn't die sooner because of all that pain and misery. (Pg. 279)

2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 267-277

The quote: "The law was broke!-the sin here so awfully revealed!-let these alone be in thy thoughts!" This quote struck me. It struck me, because the Reverend speaks of the secret being out in the open. The family made it evident that the Reverend played a part in the adultery. They stood together on the scaffold, as Mr. Dimmsdale began to die. (Pg. 267)

The quote: "Be true! Be true! Be true! Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred!" This quote struck me. It struck me, because it states that you must be true, and present your worsts traits, or infer your worst traits. The Reverend Dimmsdale told society of his adulterous act, and after his death he was not spoken badly of. He was made a proverb, a lesson. No one spoke daggers of him, because he was just like them. (Pg. 270)

2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 256-266

The quote: "If thou callest me that ill name, I will tell him of thee, and he will chase thy ship with a tempest!" This quote struck me. It struck me, because Mistress Hibbins said that Pearl's father is the Prince of the Air. No one really knows who Pearl's father is, so when Mistress Hibbins states this, it's quite odd. When Pearl was told about the Prince of the Air, it probably went to her head that she was some kind of princess. (Pg. 256)

The event: "It was a ghastly look with which he regarded them; but there was something at once tender and strangely triumphant in it." This event struck me, because the Reverend is dying and he's giving a ghastly yet tender look. They're all upon the scaffold, where Hester had been publicly shamed 7 years ago. The Reverend is about to present his secret to the public, and calls for his family to hold him. They all stand together, and accept the shame together. (Pg. 262)

2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 245-255

The quote: "Ay, ay, you must have known it; for he tells me he is of your part, and a close friend to the gentleman you spoke of,-he that is in peril from these sour old Puritan rulers!" This quote struck me. It struck me, because the sailor is oblivious to Roger's evil. Hester was aware of his evil, but because other's don't know his identity, they don't know his evil. Roger going with them on the ship would only increase the evil and misery set upon the Reverend. (Pg. 245)

The quote: "Mother," said she, "was that the same minister that kissed me by the brook?" This quote struck me, because Pearl is quite confused. She's quite confused, because the Reverend talks to them in secret, and ignores them in front of society. Pearl notices these things, and wants to know the meaning of it. I think that the Reverend should speak to them in public to show compassion. (Pg. 250)

2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 234-244

The quote: "I thank you from my heart, most watchful friend," said the Reverend Mr. Dimmsdale, with a solemn smile. This quote struck me. It struck me because after all these years, and finding out the deception just recently, it's amazing that the Reverend doesn't kill Roger. It would me another sin though. It's a good thing that Mr. Dimmsdale declines Roger's medicine; it's another step towards happiness. (Pg. 234)

The quote: "He should not nod and smile at me, for all that,-the black, grim, ugly-eyed old man!" This event struck me, because Pearl is guarded. She's protective and rude, because the jailer played a part in her mother's conviction. She believes he has no right to nod and smile at her, for he was a part of what her mother is today. If I were Pearl, I would've reacted the same way. (Pg. 239)

2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 223-233

The quote: "At least, they shall say of me," thought this exemplary man, "that I leave no public duty unperformed, nor ill performed." This quote struck me. It struck me, because the Reverend Dimmsdale speaks of when he leaves. Before he leaves, he will have had the election speech and public duties performed, and performed well. He believes the speech is his last statement to that town. (Pg. 225)

The quote: "What is it that haunts and tempts me thus?" cried the minister to himself, at length, pausing in the street and striking his had against his forehead. This quote struck me, because the Reverend has gone partially mad. Here he is, in the middle of the street, talking to himself. He wonders if he went into the forest and signed a contract of some sort. If I had known and seen this scene, I would've asked him, "Are you OK?" (Pg. 230)

2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 212-222

The quote: "Ah, that was sad!" answered the mother. "But she will love thee dearly, and thou her. She is not far off. I will call her! Pearl! Pearl!" This quote struck me. It struck me, because Hester is speaking with the Reverend, and believes that Pearl will love her father. She calls Pearl over to give an example of Pearls love to the Reverend. He doesn't think Pearl will love him, so he is quite insecure on the matter. (Pg. 213)

The quote: "Foolish child, what a question is that!" exclaimed her mother. "Come and ask his blessing!" This quote struck me. It struck me, because Pearl asked if the Reverend should keep his hand over his heart. Her mother then exclaimed, "Apologize!" Pearl is immature, but very intelligent. Immature, by: some things she doesn't understand. She knows not what she asks sometimes, but usually she's on the dot. She notices the little things, such as the hand over the heart, the no public meetings with the Reverend, and the scarlet letter has importance. (Pg.222)

2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 201-211

The quote: "Ha! What sayest thou!" cried he. "An enemy! And under mine own roof! What mean you?" This quote struck me. It struck me, because the Reverend just found out an enemy living under his own roof. If I were to find out that someone had been messing with my heart and made me miserable for seven years, then I would turn that person in for conspiracy. Either I would do that, or flee on a ship with my partner. (Pg. 201)

The quote: "Wilt thou yet forgive me!" she repeated, over and over again. "Wilt thou not frown? Wilt thou forgive?" This quote struck me, because Hester was begging for the Reverend's forgiveness. She couldn't speak up to him about Roger being her husband, so the Reverend spent 7 years of misery no knowing. She recently brought it up, and now she risks death, for Roger could tell society his identification. I couldn't imagine the Reverend being so forgiving towards Hester, after all those years of pain. (Pg. 203)

2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 190-100

The quote: "And who told you this story, Pearl?" asked her mother, recognizing a common superstition of the period. This quote struck me. It struck me, because it is apparent that there were many superstitions of that period. It is known that the Puritans had many Satan superstitions. They accused many people of witchcraft, and felons where thought to go to hell. (Pg. 193)

The quotes: "Hester," said he, "hast thou found peace?" She smiled drearily, looking down upon her bosom. "Hast thou?" she asked. These quotes struck me, because they have both been through so much misery. They check to see if they've found peace, and the are quite sad to say that they have not. They have a special bond between them. They both know what a hard burden it is to carry, but they can carry it together. (Pg. 199)

2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 179-189

The quote: "Hast thou not tortured him enough?" said Hester, noticing the old man's look. "Has he not paid thee all?" This quote struck me, because Hester is defending the Revered up against Roger Chillingworth. The Reverend has suffered the melancholy that Roger had thrust upon him. Roger, being Hester's husband, he made the Reverend's life a misery. Hester, after all these years, can't take his suffering anymore, and pleads for Roger to stop. (Pg. 179)

The quote: "Be it sin or no," said Hester Prynne, bitterly, as she still gazed, "I hate the man!" This quote struck me. It struck me, because Hester stated that whether it be sin or not, she hated Roger. Roger made the Reverend's life misery, so she hated Roger. Roger was determined to get his revenge on the Reverend for committing adultery with his wife. He devised a plan to have the secret in the Reverend's heart, eat it's way out into the open. These are the reasons why Hester hates Roger. (Pg. 183)

2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 168-178

The quote: "Do you see that woman with the embroidered badge?: they would say to strangers. "It is our Hester,-the town's own Hester, who is so kind to the poor, so helpful to the sick, so comfortable to the afflicted!" This quote struck me. It struck me, because it is sort of ironic. It is Ironic that a woman who committed a crime was punished, then praised. She accepted the daggers society spoke to her, then she was praised for her good works instead of scorned. It is good of heart to help the afflicted, because you can relate with your misery. (Pg. 169)

The quote: "It lies not in the pleasure of the magistrates to take off this badge," calmly replied Hester. This quote struck me, because she calmly states that it's not in the pleasure of the magistrates to take of her letter. She believes she'll either make herself wear it forever, or that she has the right to take it off herself. Roger says, "Wear it if it suits you better," because she chose to wear it, and he believes her compliant. I think it's courageous of her to say that it's not in the pleasure of the magistrates, but in herself. (Pg. 176)

2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 157-167

The quote: "But will thou promise," asked Pearl, "to take my hand and mother's hand, to-morrow noontide?" This quote struck me. It struck me, because Pearl repetitively asked the Reverend for this small favor. She is a very intelligent little girl, so it is very likely that she knows that the Reverend is her father. Pearl had asked the Reverend many times if he could make an appearance with her and her mother. (Pg. 159)

The quote: "But did your reverence her of the portent that was seen last night?-a great red letter in teh sky,-the letter A, which we interpret to stand for Angel." This quote struck me, because the Reverend had witnessed this meteor's image. He himself had witnessed it among others, so it should be interpreted to stand for Adultery. He was alone and delusional, but others caught a glimpse of the flaming red letter too. It's interesting, because he answers: "No, I had not heard of it." This meaning, that he witnessed it and felt as though he was given a sign from god that he was a known adulterer. (Pg. 164)

2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 146-156

The event: "Would not the people start up in their seats, by a simultaneous impulse, and tear him down out of the pulpit, which he difiled? Not so, indeed!" This event struck me. It struck me because it has the depiction of a church full of ravenous beasts. I love this quote, because Reverend Dimmsdale believes that they should tear him down out of the pulpit because of his adulterous act. The Reverend acts harsh upon himself, and so badly wishes to die. (Pg. 149)

The event: "To the untrue man, the whole universe is false,-it is impalpable,-it shrinks to nothing within his grasp." This event struck me, because Reverend Dimmsdale is stating heaven to the true man, and false universe to the untrue man. It's quite interesting, because the universe would shrink to nothing, in the untrue man's grasp. Therefore, if a man lies, then he has nothing to look forward to. All his options in life have shrunk to nothing within his grasp. (Pg. 151)

2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 135-145

The quote: "It may be so," said the young clergyman, indifferently, as waiving a discussion that he considered irrelevant or unreasonable." This quote struck me, because it had an amusing quality to it. The Reverend completely dismissed the conversations that Roger continued to conjure up. Roger knew that the clergyman committed adultery with his wife. The Reverend slowly obtained the idea that Roger knew. (Pg 137)

The event: "So she drew her mother away, skipping, dancing, and frisking fantastically, among the hillocks of the dead people, like a creature that had nothing in common with a bygone and buried generation, nor owned herself akin to it." This quote struck me. It struck me, because it speaks of the mythical creature skipping among the cemetery, so gleefully disgracing the departed. I believe it's as though she had laughed in the face of death. That she believed that death would never knock upon her door, requesting that her life come to an end. It's as though she had scoffed at the fabricated fact of death being worse than her fate. (Pg. 139)

2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 124-134

The quote: "Good men ever interpret themselves too meanly," said the physician. This quote struck me, because socially, Reverend Dimmesdale is a good man. Technically, he is not. He was Hester Prynne's associate in the adulterous act. He is Pearl's father. He is Roger Chillingworth's enemy. No one knows of his demeanor, and that they are deadly. If the public found out about his wrong doings, he would either be killed, banished, publicly humiliated and/or given a scarlet letter. (Pg. 126)

The event: "At first, his expression had been calm, meditative, scholar-like. Now, there was something ugly and evil in his face, which they had not previously noticed, and which grew still the more obvious to sight the oftener they looked upon him." This event struck me, because it explains Roger Chillingworth's expression change. Roger knows that Reverend Dimmesdale is the man that committed adultery with his wife, and is just waiting for the Reverend to tell him. Roger and the clergyman became great friends, and told each other everything. Well.. almost everything. Roger is hating the anticipation, and has grown an ugly and evil expression upon his face. It struck me, because it describes in great detail, the man vs. man conflict. Roger's revenge has now turned him evil. (Pg. 131)

2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 113-123

The quote: "I am mother's child," answered the scarlet vision, "and my name is Pearl!" This quote struck me. It struck me, because she clamored who she was, and seemed proud. It's quite odd when an abomination becomes proud of who they are, and of a mother who committed adultery, which they are the product of. She is a scarlet vision, because Hester clothes her in the very color of that of the scarlet letter, that burns into her very soul. She wishes to be reminded of this heinous crime, for some odd reason. Maybe to be an example of what not to do ever again. (Pg. 113)

The quote: "The little baggage hath witchcraft in her, I profess," said he to Mr. Dimmesdale. "She needs no old woman's broomstick to fly withal!" This quote struck me, because It describes Pearl as a witch. (Or that she has witchcraft.) Usually, she is described as an elf, or a sprite, with intelligence and mischievousness. When she was little, she was said to have cursed at the other children like a witch, but nothing much of witchcraft and broomsticks. It's interesting that the author portrays her as these mythical beings, in such a world of unpretentious Puritans. (Pg. 119)

2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 102-112

The quote: "He did not send me!" cried she, positively. "I have no Heavenly Father!" This quote struck me. It struck me because little Pearl is quite sure of herself. Society looks down upon her mother, and after praying so much, Pearl just gave up. Running through her head is something like: "What did our Heavenly Father ever do for us? If he really cared for us he'd help us in our time of need." It's sort of sad that Pearl looks out for her mother, and believes in no Heavenly Father. She would take the evil all upon herself, so that her mother's mistake may be forgotten. (Pg. 102)

The event: "The impression made by his aspect, so rigid and severe, and frost bitten with more than autumnal age, was hardly in keeping with the appliances of worldly enjoyment wherewith he had evidently done his utmost to surround himself." This event struck me, because it gives me an image of a strict, Puritan man, whose heart is as cold as ice. Governor Bellingham is a stern, rigid man. If he was alone when Hester Prynne had visited him, he would have flat out denied her of her rights and ownership of her child. He doesn't really have a heart, he has more of a mind that can see what good would come of Pearl living with her sinful mother. (Pg. 111)

2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 91-101

The event: "Whenever that look appeared in her wild, bright, deeply-black eyes, it invested her with a strange remoteness and intangibility; it was as if she were hovering in the air and might vanish, like a glimmering light that comes we know not whence, and goes we know not whither." This event struck me, because it gives an image of a little elf-like girl, hovering in the air, preparing to vanish. I love descriptions such as these, because I love the concepts of magic and myth. I love this especially, because Hester's daughter could be in fact evil. Not necessarily evil, but cunning, mischievous, and intelligent. She is the age of three, and she is still given these descriptions. (Pg. 95)

The quote: "By no means! But that first object of which Pearl seemed to become aware was-shall we say it?-the scarlet letter on Hester's bosom!" This quote struck me, because the brand mark of which your life had been placed so low, was the first object that your daughter saw. To have that letter on your bosom, and to have your child grow up with it knowing your faults. The shame of that scarlet letter would be passed down from generation, to generation. On Hester's grave would be the letter "A." On her descendant's tombstones would be, "Descendant of Hester Prynne, the adulteress" (Pg. 99)

2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 80-90

The event: "Throughout them all, giving up her individuality, she would become the general symbol at which the preacher and moralist might point, and in which they might vivify and embody their images of woman's frailty and sinful passion." This event struck me, because you get an image of Hester going to church and being pointed at. They based their gospels and morals of stories upon her wrong-doings. She was the symbol of evil. She would forever be the moral of the story. I think Hester is courageous for going through life day by day with people looking down upon her. (Pg. 82)

The event: "In this manner, Hester Prynne came to have a part to perform in the world." This event struck me, because Hester became the ideal evil symbol in town. She was the lowest of low people. She accepted death, just she couldn't kill herself for it was against her religion. She was in a rut, forever. (Pg. 87)

2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 69-79

The quote: "And my child must seek a heavenly Father; she shall never know an earthly one!" This quote struck me. It struck me because Hester Prynne will not tell the public the name of her accomplice in the adulterous crime. She is willing for daughter to face a life of never knowing who her father is, in order to save that very man's reputation. If I was her daughter, I would try to find out who my father was. I think it's brave of Hester to keep that secret. (Pg. 71)

The quote: "Nay, from the moment when we came down the old church steps together, a married pair, I might have beheld the bale-fire of that scarlet letter blazing at the end of our path!" This quote struck me, because it explains how Roger Chillingworth and Hester Prynne were a married couple. Roger exclaims, that if he had known about an adultery in the future on their wedding day, he wouldn't have married her. I think it's good of him to not identify himself to the public. Supposedly, Hester's husband died in a shipwreck, and was at the bottom of the ocean. If Roger identified himself, Hester would be killed for adultery. (Pg. 77)

2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 58-68

The event: "Knowing well her part, she ascended a flight of wooden steps, and was thus displayed to the surrounding multitude, at about the height of a man's shoulders above the street." This event struck me. It struck me, because you can feel the chagrin she faces, the humiliation. Imagine the whole town, staring down on you, questioning you, and embarrassing you for hours on end. I think Hester Prynne is a courageous woman for not giving them the name of her partner in crime. (Pg. 58)

The quote: "Yes!-these were her realities,-all else had vanished!" This quote struck me. It struck me, because she was day dreaming, and came back to reality, to find out that the shame was real. Being put upon a stand for hours can really make one delusional. She had to assure herself that the infant and the shame were real, and even touched the scarlet letter. Hester received all the stings and venomous stabs of public contumely. She accepted her cruel punishment, but she probably would have accepted death with a smile and a thankful heart. (Pg. 61)

2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 47-57

The quote: "I shall do better amongst other faces; and these familiar ones, it need hardly be said, will do just as well without me." This quote struck me, because it gives the narrator an image of an outcast, who is running away to another town. It seems like this, because "he shall do better amongst other faces," and the familiar faces will "do just as well without him." He wishes to win some importance in his townspeople's eyes, but he feels like an outsider on their little town. The little town is the abode and burial-place of so many of his forefathers. In yet, he feels like an outsider. (Pg. 48)

The event: "It had the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and enclosing her in a sphere by herself." This event struck me, because it is describing the scarlet letter so fantastically embroidered and illuminated upon her bosom. Hester Prynne had just walked out of the prison, and was acting very lady-like while holding her child. This event gives the effect of a beautiful woman of infamy. She had long brown hair, perfect skin, and modelled the attitude of her spirit. You can imagine a perfect woman charged with adultery, with an embroidered scarlet letter upon her bosom, forever to be. Forever to be looked down upon, to be gossiped of, and to be the example of evil every Sunday. (Pg. 56)

2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 36-46

The quote: "Ghosts might enter here, without affrighting us." This quote struck me. It struck me because usually ghosts frighten people. They don't frighten the home, because the floor of their familiar room has become a neutral territory, somewhere between the real world and fairy-land, where the Actual and the Imaginary may meet, and each imbue itself with the nature of the other. It's striking because it seems as though the floor of the familiar room is a peace room. The collisions of Actual and Imaginary may meet without causing turmoil. (Pg. 38)

The quote: "At the instant, I was only conscious that what would have been a pleasure once was now a hopeless toil." This quote struck me, because it appears as the past and present state of mind. Realization of what something once was, and now of what it is. Some people go after dreams, which may be a pleasure. Some don't know it, but it may turn into a hopeless toil. (Pg. 40)

2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 25-35

The event: "Thus, by an inevitable necessity, as a magnet attracts steel-filings, so did our man of business draw to himself the difficulties which everybody met with." This event struck me, because you can envision a giant magnet attracting steel-filings, then the difficulties which everybody met with, attracting our man of business. The problems of the Puritans are minute to us, but they were significant to them. They took adultery as a death sentence. You were marked for life if you were a gossiper. You were severely punished if you did not attend church that week. So when I imagine the man attracted to problems, i feel sorry for what punishment will come his way. (Pg. 26)

The quote: "Literature, its exertions and objects, were now of little moment in my regard. I cared not, at this period for books; they were apart from me." This quote struck me. It struck me because the narrator is a character of the story. He uses a quite extensive vocabulary in a 12th grade novel, and speaks of how books are not apart of him. In fact, that they were apart from him. The narrator is most likely the author, and that person speaks of not caring for books. It's quite ironic. (Pg. 27)

2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 14-24

The quote/event: "They seemed to have flung away all the golden grain of practical wisdom, which they had enjoyed so many opportunities of harvesting, and most carefully to have stored their memories with the husks." This quote/event struck me. It struck me because you get an imagery of old men opening their thinking caps and throwing out handfuls of golden grains. Broad smiles of accomplishment and feeling very complacent. There's a jubilant air with most old men. Some old men are very nostalgic, but they should just be content with their lives. (Pg. 17)

The quote/event: "I used to watch and study this patriarchal personage with, I think, livelier curiosity, than any other form of humanity there presented to my notice." This quote/event struck me. It struck me because you can imagine the narrator just staring down this man, with no interest in anything else. The narrator studied this poor old man, and concluded that the old man only had instincts. The narrator was so intent with studying him, no livelier form of humanity presented to his notice. For some odd reason, this quote/event reminds me so much of "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe. The difference between two such instances, is that Edgar felt hatred towards the the old man with the one eye resembling that of a vulture. The narrator studies this old man out of mere curiosity. (Pg. 19)

2 paragraphs of striking events or quotes: Pg. 3-13

The quote: "It is easy to conclude, from the general slovenliness of the place, that this is a sanctuary in which womankind, with her tools of magic, the broom and mop, has very infrequent access." This quote struck me, because you can just imagine women hard at work with their tools of magic, trying to get into this room, but unable to. It gives you a picturesque description of the unclean room. You can see the dust, and the papers carelessy thrown onto the floor. It struck me, because he made "pig sty" sound intelligent and precise. (Pg. 8)

The quote: "In part, therefore, the attachment which I speak of is the mere sensuious sympathy of dust for dust." This quote struck me. It struck me because you can see the sorrow in the narrator's face as he walks the streets of his beloved Salem. He speaks of decendants being born and dying, being all that there was to life. So in this quote, he speaks of the mere sensuious sympathy of dust for dust. It struck me because you can imagine people spontaneously turning to dust. (Pg. 9)