Despite the fact that her name is not Hester Prynne and she does not wear a scarlet letter on her chest does not mean she is any less important. Mistress Hibbins despite not being a main character is not just one of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s random characters. Hibbins, a known witch in Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, has a very peculiar role in the novel. Her dark and out of place comments throughout the novel have more importance than the reader might think. Symbolism is present quite often in Hawthorne’s novel, Mistress Hibbins being the most important symbol.
Mistress Hibbins is a witch and everyone is well aware it, but since her brother is the governor she is not punished for her crime of witchcraft. Hibbins has not even tried to hide the …show more content…
When Mistress Hibbins makes an appearance she is reminding Hester her in a way of her crime. The witch told Hester the day of the parade, “Dost thou think I have been to the forest so many times, and have yet no skill to judge who else has been there? Yea; though no leaf of the wild garlands, which they wore while they danced, be left in their hair! I know thee, Hester; for I behold the token. We may all see it in the sunshine; and it glows like a red flame in the dark. Thou wearest it openly; so there need be no question about that. But this minister! Let me tell thee in thine ear! When the Black Man sees one of his own servants, signed and sealed, so shy of owning to the bond as is the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale, he hath a way of ordering matters so that the mark shall be disclosed in open daylight to the eyes of all the world! What is it that the minister seeks to hide, with his hand always over his heart? Ha, Hester Prynne!”(237). Hibbins herself says, “So, reverend Sir, you have made a visit into the forest,” observed the witch-lady, nodding her high head-dress at him. “The next time, I pray you to allow me only a fair warning, and I shall be proud to bear you company. Without taking overmuch upon myself, my good word will go far towards gaining any strange gentleman a fair reception from yonder potentate you wot of!”(217). This is right after Arthur meets Hester in the forest
Mistress Hibbins is a witch and everyone is well aware it, but since her brother is the governor she is not punished for her crime of witchcraft. Hibbins has not even tried to hide the …show more content…
When Mistress Hibbins makes an appearance she is reminding Hester her in a way of her crime. The witch told Hester the day of the parade, “Dost thou think I have been to the forest so many times, and have yet no skill to judge who else has been there? Yea; though no leaf of the wild garlands, which they wore while they danced, be left in their hair! I know thee, Hester; for I behold the token. We may all see it in the sunshine; and it glows like a red flame in the dark. Thou wearest it openly; so there need be no question about that. But this minister! Let me tell thee in thine ear! When the Black Man sees one of his own servants, signed and sealed, so shy of owning to the bond as is the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale, he hath a way of ordering matters so that the mark shall be disclosed in open daylight to the eyes of all the world! What is it that the minister seeks to hide, with his hand always over his heart? Ha, Hester Prynne!”(237). Hibbins herself says, “So, reverend Sir, you have made a visit into the forest,” observed the witch-lady, nodding her high head-dress at him. “The next time, I pray you to allow me only a fair warning, and I shall be proud to bear you company. Without taking overmuch upon myself, my good word will go far towards gaining any strange gentleman a fair reception from yonder potentate you wot of!”(217). This is right after Arthur meets Hester in the forest