Both Uses of
persecution
in
The Scarlet Letter
- He was likewise a bitter persecutor; as witness the Quakers, who have remembered him in their histories, and relate an incident of his hard severity towards a woman of their sect, which will last longer, it is to be feared, than any record of his better deeds, although these were many.†
p. 11.2persecutor = someone who treats others (or another) very badly and unfairly
- His son, too, inherited the persecuting spirit, and made himself so conspicuous in the martyrdom of the witches, that their blood may fairly be said to have left a stain upon him.†
p. 11.3 *persecuting = treating very badly and unfairly
Definition:
very bad and unfair treatment of others -- often because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or political beliefs