"Nay, from the moment when we came down the old church-steps together, a married pair, I might have beheld the bale-fire of that scarlet letter blazing at the end of our path!"
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"I have said it. But, up to that epoch of my life, I had lived in vain. The world had been so cheerless!" ((Chapter 4/PAGE 68))
Roger recalls his life before marrying Hester stating that he has really found no joy in life, for he spent much time pursuing his insatiable quest for knowledge. He regrets not knowing that this turned him away from Hester, causing turmoil in his relationship. Nonetheless, Hester was the one joy in his life despite his wanderings and endless reading. But what is important, is that he relates his happiness upon the day of their marriage; the flame in his heart for her to the flame-colour in the letter on he gown. Roger, again makes this comparison because he is an outsider, just like the other two characters who have made positive mention of the letter. (The bond-servant and Pearl) However, Roger mocks Hester and notes that it is supposed to be a shameful letter, he has the ability to look past it because he knew Hester before her trail and public shame.
Note that the flame he felt for Hester, the same color of the "A", was passion: an intense burning. One thing that is wrong with many characters in this book is that they find "no joy" in life.
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