Arthur Dimmesdale had caught Marie Nefar’s attention back when they were merely children. He had repeatedly asked her to play with him and his friends in the woods, despite the constant scolding he’d receive from her mother, reminding him of how little girls should never dirty their clothes by monkeying around. He had, of course, eventually stopped asking, but her fascination with him never ceased. She continued to gaze at him from afar as they grew up, and was able to recognize the days when his baby fat was finally shed and his features finally sharpened. She saw how he thinned and matured, and she couldn’t help but let her heart throb with longing and envy when she saw him share laughs with other girls their age. He had long forgotten about …show more content…
As he walked around town, those observing him could see the paleness that once overtook his skin had receded. He no longer resembled death, yet it seemed as though there was something different about him. He smiled at everyone he passed, but Marie knew each smile shared was nothing but forced. It was after the church service on Sunday morning when Marie overheard the reverend speaking to an acquaintance of his. “Hello Edward, how are you feeling this morning?” He greeted with feigned enthusiasm, yet one wouldn’t be able to tell unless they knew the way he acted on a regular day. “I am feeling quite well, thank you. You’ve made a remarkable recovery from your illness - what was it that you had caught?” Edward stared at Dimmesdale, waiting for an …show more content…
Marie remembers the day she and her friends witnessed Hester standing in front of the town, the disgraceful letter adorning her chest, and the shameful child crying in her arms. Her friends were arguing in regardance of whether or not the scarlett letter was an appropriate punishment. One believed it would bear her a great burden throughout her life, but the others felt as though the punishment was insufficient and that a harsher one should be put in place. She said nothing, and instead chose to watch Hester as she climbed up the steps. She should have seen a connection then, between Dimmesdale and Hester, but instead she had been naive. She had been played, along with the rest of the town, and she would not stand for