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"Finding it so directly on the threshold of our narrative, which is now about to issue from that inauspicious portal, we could hardly do otherwise than pluck one of its flowers, and present it to the reader."(46)

This quote may describe the purpose of the book. The reason for this connects to the theme of salvation that seems to be prominent throughout the book. Being a strict Puritanical society, the people of the time were likely to be worried about where they would be heading after death. At the time in which the book takes place, Puritan officials claimed that Salvation was determined through the leading of a holy life. Before this quote, the historical figure known as Anne Hutchinson was mentioned, as she stayed in a jail cell described before this quote as well. She preached that holiness did not guarantee salvation, and that salvation was subject to God's grace. During this period of time, this was high heresy. Also, there was a rose bush outside the jail cell. It had seen many an arrest, and briefly symbolizes the purpose of the novel. In giving the reader a rose from the bush, that is simply described as the act of sharing the story of the tough Puritanical society.

Why would the author directly address the reader like that?

"This woman has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die. Is there not law for it? Truly there is, both in the Scripture and the statute-book. Then let the magistrates, who have made it of no effect, thank themselves if their own wives and daughters go astray!"(49)

This quote is connecting two themes, that of the effects of sin and the nature of evil. Hester committed adultery, a highly frowned upon sin. This quote comes in a part where a few women are gossiping about Hester's sin. Apparently, Hester's sin, which those women had not committed, seemed to affect them greatly. This is because they are saying that if Hester is an adulterer, she does not belong within their pure and holy Puritanical society. This also relates to the theme of the nature of evil. The women gossiping clearly see themselves as holy, and they wish to do away with sinners and their respective sins as they come along. Hester committed an evil within the eyes of God, yet, her sin is not as malicious as that of the women gossiping. In the first place, gossip is considered to be wrong, even in the Bible. Also, they are wishing death upon Hester for a sin that effectually did not really influence them, unless they look at the larger picture of their society. Murder is one of the worst possible sins, and they are clearly at fault to talk about Hester's sins when they have such impure thoughts within their own minds.

Are the women speaking in this part really that holy after all?