Scarlet Letter #1

"It [rose bush] may serve, let us hope, to symbolize some sweet moral blossom, that may be found along the track, or relieve the darkening close of a tale of human frailty and sorrow" (46)

My first impressions of the novel stem from this quote. It seems to me that obviously there will be difficult hardships by characters, especially Hester. However, the rose bush outside of the prison may be forshadowing possible redemption for Hester, perhaps not in society, but maybe she will forgive herself later in the story.

"'The Reverend Dimmesdale, her godly pastor, takes it very grievously to heart that such a scandal should have come upon his congregation'" (48-49)

Initialy, I received a suspicious view towards Reverand Dimmesdale. There are two theories that come to mind when examining his character, especially in this quote. First, it may be that the reverand just feels immense shame because he knows Hester and he is embarrassed to be connected to her in any way. Or, the reverand could possibly be the father of the child. His tremendous feelings towards the situation could be evidence to support the fact that Hester and Dimmesdale were involved with one another. The reverand is definitly a character to pay attention to later on.