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It Speaks With Authority In The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne

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“A quotation in a speech, article or book is like a rifle in the hands of an infantryman. It speaks with authority.” The Scarlet Letter - Nathaniel Hawthorne “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.” (Hawthorne 92-3). This quote reflects the overall theme because when we look at the novel and the story, it all revolves around secrecy and hiding the truth. This quote is from where keeping secrets begin. Hester Prynne, the main character has committed adultery by cheating on her husband, Roger Chillingworth (who was away) with Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale. Hester has been caught because she couldn’t hide her pregnancy which led to punishment. While she is out on public display to be shamed, her husband comes into town. Now, no one knows who her husband is, they just knew she was married. As for Roger, he does not want anyone to know that he’s the husband. So when he sees Hester and she sees him, he puts his finger on his lips so she knows to not say anything. Then, all throughout the book, the Author is trying to hide that he’s the father of the child and that he’s the one who committed adultery with her. The quote is the start and the theme of the book. The raising of the finger to his lips is the sign of secrecy and from then on, it’s a battle between keeping the truth hidden and letting the truth and consequences get out. The secrets are what causes everything in the book to spiral out and happen the way they did. Their secrets have consequences. Beloved - Toni Morrison “That’s what they came in there for. Held me down and took it. I told Mrs. Garner on em. She had that lump and couldn’t speak but her eyes rolled out tear. Them boys found out I told on em, School teacher made one open my back and when it closed, it made a tree. It grows there still.” (Morrison 16-7 ) One of the reasons as to why Beloved was written was to reveal the horrors of slavery and what it can do to a person. This quote perfectly reflects that; it describes what Sethe, the main character, went through as being a former slave. Sethe attempted to kill and killed her two

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