Final answer:
Hester's quote about meeting the Black Man and the scarlet letter being his mark refers to her acknowledgment of her sin of adultery, symbolized by the letter 'A' she is forced to wear, which is central to the themes of Nathaniel Hawthorne's 'The Scarlet Letter'.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Hester's Quote
When Hester says "Once in my life, I met the Black Man. This scarlet letter is his mark," she is referring to a significant theme in Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel The Scarlet Letter. The 'Black Man' is often interpreted as a symbol of sin, the devil, or evil in Puritan society. The 'scarlet letter', which Hester Prynne is forced to wear as a mark of shame for her adultery, is seen as the physical manifestation of her encounter with the Black Man, namely her sin. The quote suggests that Hester acknowledges the sin she has committed, which has resulted in the stigma she carries and the social repercussions that accompany it.
This theme is prevalent throughout the novel, as the scarlet letter 'A' she wears not only marks her as an adulterer but also represents the struggle between personal identity and societal expectations. It's indicative of the novel's exploration of sin, guilt, redemption, and the complex nature of human morality.