Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Hope Leslie, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Religious Conflict and Tolerance
Interracial Relationships
Violence and Historical Memory
Women’s Roles
The Puritan Heritage
Summary
Analysis
The narrator fills in some background information about Hope’s letter. Hope blamed herself for Nelema’s arrest and took it upon herself to try to rescue her. This is what led her to speak to the town magistrates in such a bold way, sounding as if she was questioning their wisdom. But, in light of her youth, the magistrates did not press the issue, instead meeting privately with Mr. Fletcher and admonishing him about Hope’s spoiledness.
Sedgwick often has her narrator go back to earlier events to clarify potentially confusing sequences for her readers, even if (as in this instance) she has slyly connected the dots already.
Themes
As Hope hinted in her letter to Everell, she stole the prison key while visiting the Pynchons’ house, following her heart even while knowing it is a dangerous move. After Hope released Nelema from the cellar, Digby (with whom Hope had had a chance to consult earlier) ferried Nelema across the river and gave her supplies for her escape; Nelema gratefully promised to spend what remained of her life attempting to return Hope’s sister to her.
Hope follows her conscience, even when she knows it could get her into serious trouble—something she has in common with other women in the story, like Magawisca (and, later, Esther). Sedgwick thereby suggests that this is a trait that women should cultivate, even if their society constrains their sphere of action.
Themes
Afterward, Hope pretended, along with the rest of Springfield, that she had no idea what had happened to Nelema. Only Mr. Pynchon suspected her—and, being a merciful man deep down, he said nothing except to Mr. Fletcher, suggesting that Hope be moved into a less indulgent home for a time. Mr. Fletcher agrees that Hope should be sent to the Winthrops’ home in Boston for the time being.
Sedgwick generally portrays her Puritan characters as having a compassionate side, even if she views their religious beliefs as inflexible. Mr. Pynchon imagines that Hope’s boldness will be tamped down in a stricter household and that she’ll learn how to live by Puritan standards for femininity.
Themes
The narrator says that there is no one farther from the fashionable modern young lady than Hope Leslie. Hope, now 17, has her own style and the healthy beauty and grace of a young woman of the country who loves exploring the outdoors. Her face is warmly expressive. Though she has been raised in a strict Puritan environment, Hope has an irrepressibly fearless and happy personality and has grown up in a loving, indulgent environment, with Mr. Fletcher treating her like a daughter (no doubt feeling some lingering tenderness toward Hope’s late mother, Alice Fletcher). She is also doted on by Aunt Grafton and Master Cradock.
Sedgwick backtracks to fill in something of Hope’s background. Hope differs from young women of her own day, suggesting that Sedgwick would like to see her “fashionable” peers emulate Hope more, perhaps especially in her resistance of boundaries (she doesn’t conform to expected styles, roles, or comportment).
Themes
Literary Devices
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Hope is not prejudiced, unlike many of her era. She has grown up around people of varied religious sentiments—her father an Anglican, her mother a Puritan, and her own faith “pure and disinterested.”
Much as she resists conformity in other ways, Hope isn’t religiously orthodox. The diversity of her upbringing inclines her to resist adherence to a single theological outlook or denomination.
Themes
Hope wrote her letter in October, and the following May, two ships arrived in Boston from England. Passengers from both ships board the pilot-boat to reach the town. The group includes two gentlemen: a young man with a kind and intelligent face, and a man around 35 with a passionate face and piercing eyes. Though he dresses in the restrained Puritan style, the latter has a certain refinement and elegance.
The action shifts from Springfield to Boston, the following spring. Already, there seems to be more to the man with the piercing eyes than appears on the surface.
Themes
As the boat approaches Boston, the two men and the sailor get into a conversation about Governor Winthrop’s politics, which seem to favor Parliament rather than King. The older gentleman remarks that he is a stranger and wanderer, and the younger replies that America is a natural home for such people, and that he will be glad to help the older get acquainted with Boston.
Prior to independence, colonial politics were still very much linked to English politics, which at this time were embroiled in civil war between parliamentarians and royalists, trying to determine the future governance of England. The former was thought to be friendlier to colonial aims.
Themes
In the boat, there is also a beautiful young man of about 15, with a darker complexion and an elaborate lace ruff and feathered Spanish hat. With embarrassment, the older man admits that the youth is his page. He addresses the young man as Roslin and warns him that his fancier apparel won’t suit the colonies. By now the boat is drawing into Boston harbor.
The mysterious newcomer is accompanied by an equally strange young servant, who doesn’t look as if he belongs in an austere Puritan environment.
Themes
The young man eagerly looks among the crowd gathered on the dock, but he sees no one he recognizes. He invites the older man to accompany him to Governor Winthrop’s, where he’s sure to find hospitality. They disembark and haven’t advanced far into the city before they see two young ladies walking ahead of them. Immediately, the younger man recognizes the golden curls of one of them. As they overtake the girls, they hear the shorter of the two responding to “dear Esther,” admitting that her friend is wiser than she.
From this passage, readers can deduce that the young man is Everell, who is returning home for the first time since he was sent to England for his education, making this the first time he has seen Hope Leslie since they were practically children.
Themes
“Hope Leslie!” exclaims the young man. The young woman screams with delight at the sight of him and throws her arms around Everell Fletcher. Almost as quickly, she feels embarrassed about this public display of affection, and about the fact that Everell is no longer her childhood playmate, but a young man. Before catching him up on the family news, she introduces her companion, Esther Downing, whom Everell recognizes. Hope notices that Esther’s arm is trembling.
In contrast to the more restrained demeanor that would be expected of her, Hope never shies away from expressing her emotions in public—her months in Boston don’t seem to have quelled her spirit. Meanwhile, there seems to be some history between Esther and Everell.
Themes
Hope explains that Mr. Fletcher is now living in Boston, and that she has heard nothing of her sister Faith or Magawisca. By this time, they have reached the Winthrops’ house. Hope notices that Esther sinks into a chair, looking pale, and that Everell looks anxiously at her. She can’t help speculating, but she and Esther withdraw to their own room while Everell is introducing his companion, Sir Philip Gardiner, to Governor Winthrop.
The Bethel household has effectively moved back to Boston, joining Governor Winthrop’s household and removing them even further from the remote wilderness which Magawisca and Faith inhabit.
Themes
