The Scarlet Letter
As Hester and Pearl go to the marketplace, Hester recalls that it is the 7-year anniversary of her time on the scaffold. What is symbolic about the number 7 (think in terms of the Bible)?
from scarlet letter
from scarlet letter
It has been seven years since Hester stood on the scaffold, and Pearl is seven years old. God created the world in seven days; the Book of Revelation talks about the seven angels and the seventh seal; Pharaoh saw seven cattle coming from the Nile; Mary of Magdala was possessed by seven demons; Hebrew slaves were to be freed after seven years; and many, many more.....