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September 14, 2005
MIstress Hibbins?
Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter (Ch 8-13) -- American Literature, 1800-1915 (EL 266)
I thought it was very interesting the way that Hawthorne brought in the character of Mistress Hibbins. It seems a little strange that they are punishing Hester to the point of wanting to take her child away from her, but Mistress Hibbins is clearly into witchcraft and she is not being imprisoned or punished at all.
Another thing that I thought was interesting was when Mistress Hibbins invited Hester to a witches' gathering, and Hester declined becaue of her daughter. In the book Hester says "I must tarry home, and keep watch over my little Pearl. Had they taken her from me, I would willingly have gone with thee into the forest, and signed my name in the Black Man's book too, and that with mine own blood." This quote shows that somewhere inside Hester she still feels attracted to the evil side or taking part in witchcraft activities. However, this quote really shows that no matter how much she is tempted her daughter still means more to her than anything in the world, and she would not want to make another mistake that could chance her losing Pearl.
Posted by StacyEstatico at September 14, 2005 8:57 AM
Comments
I dont think that everyone else knows of Mistress Hibbins actions at the moment. In the book it says that she was later executed for witchcraft. When Hester says that she doesn't want to go with Mistress Hibbins I dont think it is because she does have some evil in her at all. I think that the reason she said she would have gone is because that if they took Pearl away from her then she would not have anything left to live for. Pearl is what she lives for.
Posted by: Meredith Benson at September 14, 2005 3:08 PM
I completley agree with Meredith on this one. Hester was saying that because she would have nobody, nothing, and why would she live another day. She would have no faith and no hope. But Pearl is with her, so she is alright.
Posted by: michelle koss at September 14, 2005 8:39 PM
I disagree. I think that Hester would have used these witches meetings as away of revenge. Remember, when one "sin" is "controlled" the others tend to "rise up". And last I checked, I do believe revenge is considered a sin.
Posted by: Lou Gagliardi at September 15, 2005 3:46 PM
I agree with meredith and Michelle. It is obviously Hester's instinct at a mother that makes her turn down Mistress Hibbins invitation. And although, Lou, is right, revenge is a sin, I'm not sure that Hester would have joind in the witchcraft as revenge, or if it would have been so that she could belong to a group, because without pearl she would have had no one.
Posted by: Liz Schomer at September 16, 2005 11:15 AM
well that's why, Liz, she would have used revenge. Ever hear "desperate people do desperate things?" If Hester lost Pearl, and she wanted her back, she could have covertly used witchcraft to get her back, thus revenge.
Posted by: Lou Gagliardi at September 16, 2005 5:56 PM
Mistress Hibbins was the sister of Governor Bellingham, and was not executed for two reasons. The first is that these are two people who really lived, and he placed her execution as it happened, historically. Also, since she was the sister of the Governor, she was spared the gallows. Any one with a college level knowledge of the motivations behind the ceasing of the Salem Witch Trials and subsequent executions was that it ended when the wives and daughters of judges, governors, and prominent figures were accused.
Posted by: squigs at October 25, 2006 8:00 PM
2 b honest i think that Mistress Hibbens is a sad lonely tart who i one day admire 2 b and all u people whou are slating her off need 2 get a life. Mistress Hibbens is a god like figure and her actions are totally understandable as people don't appreciate her for one main rteason, she is old. I'm 89 and a half years old and I myself have created a cult for aspiring withces and so far there are only 2 memebers, me and Maz, anyone hu wants 2 join, please send me an email at Rupinder@hotmail.co.uk
Posted by: Rupz at March 20, 2007 5:00 AM