DJs 1-5

DJ 1. Pg 45. "But, on one side of the portal, the rooted almost at the threshold, was a wild rose bush... in token that the deep heart of Nature could pity and be kind to him."

This is the first example of the themes the importance of nature and forgiveness. The rose bush here is described in a way that is pure and beautiful, like nature itself. The prison door that is behind the rose bush is ugly and cruel, which was put there by society. So while nature is beautiful, society can be ugly and harsh. It also talks about how forgiving Nature is. No matter how bad a person was, before they were sentience to prison, they got a glimpse of the beauty that Nature had, and felt a little forgiveness and a little hope. This connects to Hesters situation where she needs forgiveness, and then moves close to the woods where she finds the means to move on and live a happy life.

DJ 2. Pg 46. "This rose-bush, by stange chance, has been kept alive in history... it had sprung up under the footsteps of the sainted Ann Hutchinson."

When Ann Hutchinson is mentioned, she symbolizes what Hester becomes when she comes to terms with her sin. Hutchinson created a religious discussion group the advocated 'covenant of grace'. Not only does  Hester walk out of the jail for the first time with extreme grace, but she learns how to deal with her sins with grace.

DJ 3. Pg 47. "It might be that a sluggish bond-servant, or an undutiful child, whom his parents had given over civil authority, was to be corrected at the whipping post."

This is an example of how rigid and cruel that Puritan society was. They would take something that was the business of no one other than the family and make it a public event. It also sets up the mood for the story and for the society itself. This also is a foreshadow for the severity of Hesters punishment. 

DJ 4. Pg 49.  "'Let her cover the mark as she will, the pang of it will be always in her heart.'"

When the town gossips were talking about Hester's punishment most of the women were saying that is wasn't harsh enough, but the youngest woman in the crowd says that no matter the punishment society places upon her, she will be punishing herself more. This woman in the crowd shows forgiveness and compassion that most Puritans didn't show. She symbolizes Nature forgiveness.

DJ 5. Pg 49. "The door of the jail being flung open from within, there appeared, in the first place, like a black shadow emerging into the sunshine..."

When Hester first emerges from the prison, Hawthorne describes the scene as something coming into the light. This is symbolic in the way the Hester sin is coming into the light. This also allows Hester to make a dark situation, like the humiliation of her sin, and make something light out of it, like her beautiful daughter Pearl. In short it means that you can find ways to make a dark situation bright. But in order for Hester to full come to terms with her sun she will needs to forgive herself.