The Scarlet Letter Group

Question:

high
high
Student
High School - 11th Grade

What explanation does the stranger make to the townsman he speaks with that accounts for his combination of "civilized and savage costume"?

question is from the scarlet letter

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Posted by high on Tuesday September 30, 2008 at 12:47 PM and tagged with scarlet letter, the scarlet letter.

Answers:


  1. cldbentley Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    The stranger states that he has "met with grievous mishaps by sea and land, and have been long held in bonds among the heathen folk, to the southward; and am now brought hither by this Indian, to be redeemed out of my captivity." In other words, the stranger (Prynne/Chillingsworth) has been shipwrecked or met trouble by ship, had difficulties after reaching land, and been held captive by Indians. He indicates that the Indian he has been traveling with has now brought him back to civilization to be freed.

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    Posted by cldbentley on Tuesday September 30, 2008 at 12:56 PM