Scarlet Letter Quote 4

“Indeed, the same dark question often rose into her mind, with reference to the whole race of womanhood. Was existence worth accepting, even to the happiest among them? As concerned her own individual existence, she had long ago decided in the negative, and dismissed the point as settled. A tendency to speculation, though it may keep woman quiet, as it does man, yet makes her sad. She discerns, it may be, such a hopeless task before her. “


At this point in the story, I believe Hester Prynne feels like she cannot handle the daily pressures and speculation she if forced to endure day after day. Just because she is quiet and does not speak up when faced with ridicule and public speculation, does not mean the harsh words and stares do not hurt her. This quote suggests that she was momentarily contemplating whether she should live anymore or not. However, she is too strong to take the easy way out of her hardship and decided long ago she would not end her life in that fashion.

This quote is important to the story because it gives great insight into the feelings and thoughts of the main character, Hester Prynne. While many times, we may see Hester Prynne as an emotionless woman, this quote shows that she has feelings and in a sense her womanly side is built up. Even though she committed adultery, she is still a woman with a heart, despite how the Puritan society views her. The quote also makes a connection between women and men as a whole. In many cases, especially back in colonial times women were seen as inferior and obedient. However, this quote expressed that women have the same emotions as men have. She also recognized the long road ahead of her. In the darkness of the situation she found herself in, she could not see a light at the end of the tunnel. It would take much work to complete the task of being back to normalcy.