Chapter 22 is when the inaugural procession arrives in the
market place and Arthur Dimmesdale delivers his Election Sermon. Whilst Hester Prynne
watches the procession, Mistress Hibbins, who is described in very sinister terms,
comments to her about the appearance of Arthur Dimmesdale. Note the reputation that
Mistress Hibbins has, which perhaps helps explain her words to Hester about
Dimmesdale:
As this ancient lady had the renown
(which subsequently cost her no less a price than her life) of being a principal actor
in all the works of necromancy that were continually going forward, the crowd gave way
before her, and seemed to fear the touch of her garment, as if it carried the plague
among its gorgeous folds.
Her
association with necromancy and witchcraft thus explains her "confidential" words to
Hester, when she says that Arthur Dimmesdale appears as a saint on earth, but then talks
about him going to the "forest," clearly an allegation that he has been involved in
witchcraft. She comments that many parishioners have been to the forest with
her:
Many a
church member saw I, walking behind the music, that has danced in the same measure with
me, when Somebody was fiddler, and, it might be, an Indian powwow or a Lapland wizard
changing hands with us!
She
tries to gain the confidence of Hester, alleging that Hester too has been to the forest,
but Hester rebuffs her attempts at intimacy.
No comments:
Post a Comment