This song represents Hester Prynne's frame of mind at several points in the novel. She is defiant and has summoned all her will to face the Puritan crowd who stands outside to judge and mock her as a "fallen" woman. Later in the novel, she still faces alienation from the community and the loneliness that comes from living in that empty place between the laws of nature that led her to follow her heart and the laws of men that punish her for her choice.
Lyrics:
Come on!!!
Grab the bull by the horns the old adage goes.
Nobody tells you where to go from here.
Seems like fates pulling you.
Decisions have to be made.
The the best path is the hardest earned.
Back and forth the struggle consumes us all.
Trying to keep a level head.
In the most unsettling of times.
Today I'll become the bull.
There is so much to stake.
I stumble, I lose my place.
Pride and arrogance surrounded by sin.
Destiny takes its hold.
Fight it or let it go.
But I choose how the day will end.
Back and forth the struggle consumes us all.
Trying to keep a level head.
In the most unsettling of times.
Today I'll become the bull. [x2]
This walk can get lonely
I lose myself inside my head.
No one can touch you when you're outside staring in.
Remove myself from this rat race.
Back and forth the struggle consumes us all.
Trying to keep a level head.
The most unsettling of times.
Today I'll become the bull. [x5]
"Tortures of the Damned" by Bayside
These lyrics represent from Dimmesdale's opinion on himself and the feelings he has about his sins. As a minister, Dimmesdale knew that he would be sinning when it happened but he did it anyways.
Lyrics:
I hate myself more than i've ever let on
I'm burnt out at 22
I lived too fast and i loved too much and i'll die too young but i chose this cup that i drank from knew what i was getting into but i couldn't let out what i had to keep in i'm ashamed of myself and the unspeakable sins that i've committed and....
[Chorus]
I've made mistakes, but I'll find my way.
There's no explanation for, the things I've failed at before.
They can't hold my hand.
It just hurts to be a man,
Through the tortures of the damned. of the damned!
If I only had an axe,
I'd sever the ties I've made with the world.
Maybe I can be a stranger, in a strange place.
If I start now, maybe I can be saved.
If I only had a mask,
I'd cover these bleeding eyes.
They're bloodshot now but they'll be black by dawn.
If I wake up now,
I can be pure again.
[Chorus]
Look at me now, I'm on the tracks with my back towards the last train leaving town. [x4]
[Chorus x2]
"Resolution" by Jack's Mannequin
This song represents Hester's feelings throughout the novel. Hester was always very strong and independent on the outside but on the inside she was scared, yet at the same time she knew she could get through the hard parts. This song also shines light on Hester's feelings towards Dimmesdale. About how she loves him, yet she is letting him go because that is what's best.
Lyrics:
There's a lot that I don't know
There's a lot that I'm still learning
But I think I'm letting go
To find my body, it's still burning
And you hold me down
And you got me living in the past
Come on and pick me up
Somebody clear the wreckage from the blast
Yeah, I'm alive
And I don't need a witness
To know that I survived
I'm not looking for forgivness
Yeah, I just need light
I need light in the dark as I search for the resolution
And the bars are finally closed
So I try living in the moment
'Til the moment it just froze
And I felt sick and so alone
I can hear the sound
Of your voice still ringing in my ear
I'm going underground
But you'll find me anywhere I feel
Yeah, I'm alive
And I don't need a witness
To know that I survived
I'm not looking for forgivness
Yeah, I just need light
I need light in the dark as I search for the resolution
I
