The quote highlights the character's realization that she cannot rely on future hopes or possibilities to alleviate her current suffering. This moment signifies a shift in her understanding, where the weight of her present burdens becomes unbearable, and the past no longer offers solace. It emphasizes the idea that the passage of time does not always bring relief or healing, particularly when faced with deep emotional pain.

Moreover, this line reflects a broader theme in Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter," where characters grapple with the implications of their actions and the burden of sin. The inability to 'borrow from the future' suggests a struggle against the constraints of one’s circumstances, indicating that true healing must come from facing one’s reality rather than escaping into hopeful fantasies.