The Scarlet Letter is a novel
concerned with the inner workings of the soul as it deals with sin and shame. Hester
was an adulteress whose sin was made public. The man she loved, Arthur Dimmesdale, hid
his sin and continued his role as revered minister to his church flock. The day on
which this conversation took place was Election Day, one of the grand ceremonial days in
the town. Dimmesdale was chosen to deliver the Election Day sermon, and the former
lovers had plans to leave for England immediately following the event. As he walked
through the crowd on his way to the church, Arthur was a changed man. The formerly weak
and frail man who was continually clutching at his heart was walking erect and strong,
with an apparently renewed energy and vigor. He passes by Hester and Pearl without a
word or a glance, though Hester longed for some signal of recognition. Mistress Hibbins
joined Hester and Pearl, creating a kind of aura which made others keep their distance
as they held the private exchange you're asking
about.
Mistress Hibbins, perhaps with her witch-like sense
or perhaps something more, has figured out that Hester and Arthur had a meeting in the
forest and because of it things are changed. She said to
Hester:
"Many
a church-member saw I, walking behind the music, that has danced in the same measure
with me, when Somebody was fiddler.... But this minister! Couldst thou surely tell,
Hester, whether he was the same man that encountered thee on the
forest-path?"
She is clearly
indicating that she knows Arthur, as a godly man, has sold his soul to the devil in
order to escape his guilty conscience. Hester, of course, tried to deny and deflect;
however, Mistress Hibbins would not be deterred:
"Fie, woman fie!" cried the old lady, shaking her
finger at Hester. "Dost thou think I have been to the forest so many times, and have yet
no skill to judge who else has been
there?
She clearly knows
that Arthur has been lost to the devil. Pearl, of course, wants to know all the
details, but none are forthcoming. The unwanted visitor walks off, but Hester is
shaken. This encounter clearly foreshadows trouble to come.
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