Stranger

Character Sketches: “Stranger” in the Crowd (Group 4)

For homework, I asked you to mark initial descriptions/depictions of the following characters.

In pairs/threes, get down as many traits, behaviors, physical details as possible. Be sure to include at least 2 quotations. Otherwise, you may summarize.

“STRANGER” IN CROWD

Group 4: pg. 54-57

“A writhing horror twisted itself across his features, like a snake gliding swiftly over them, and making one little pause, with all its wreathed intervolutions in open sight. His face darkened with some powerful emotion, which, nevertheless, he so instantaneously controlled by an effort of his will, that, save at a single moment, its expression might have passed for calmness.” (55)

Very angry, but contains rage.

Strange because he is traveling with an Indian

Dressed half like an Indian and half like a Puritan

He speaks very politely.

Says both sinners should pay

Has weird shoulders. May be Esther’s husband.

Hawthorny Romance:

In your section, find any examples you can of romantic elements (going by Hawthorne’s definition of a romance novel).

Stranger is mysterious and not from the town

Over dramatic when he makes eye contact with and signals Hester

                  “When he found the eyes of Hester Prynne fastened on his own, and saw that she

                  appeared to recognize him, he slowly and calmly raised his finger, made a gesture

                  with it in the air, and laid it on his lips.” (55)

Eloquent and courteous, gentlemanly

Hester drawn to, stares at Stranger, scared of him, says she prefers whole crowd to meeting him alone