"This predilection for minding other people's business was time-honored among the people of Salem..."(140).
This quote shows that the people of Salem were used to trying to catch each other sinning, and the sins of the people were made public. This was also true in The Scarlet Letter, because everyone knew that Hester had sinned, and she was publicly chastised in front of everyone
It can also be mentioned that people in the Scarlet Letter were also very nosy and often intruded on seemingly private matters. For example, in the Scarlet Letter, people considered taking Pearl away from Hester, even though they were a family.
ReplyDeleteThis quote could also imply that that the people of Salem see even those that are not committing a sin, and by doing so, they will be sinning themselves. For example, coveting thy neighbors property. Seeing too much is not that good.
ReplyDeleteby Joseph Wei