The History of Literature cover image

297 The Scarlet Letter

The History of Literature

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Hester Prynne's Memory

The unhappy culprit sustained herself as best a woman might under the heavy weight of a thousand unrelenting eyes, all fastened upon her. Even had there been a disposition to turn the matter into ridicule, it must have been repressed and overpowered by the solemn presence of men no less dignified than the governor. Hester Prynne longed rather to behold all those rigid countenances contorted with scornful merriment and herself the object. She felt at moments as if she must needs shriek out with the full power of her lungs and cast herself from the scaffold down upon the ground or else go mad at once.

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