"Hester's strong, calm, steadfastly enduring spirit almost sank, at last, on beholding this drk and grim countenance of an inevitable doom, which-at the moment when a passage seemed to open for the minister and herself out of their labyrinth of misery-showed itself, with an unrelenting smile, right in the midst of their path." Pg. 189
I personally found some literary and character parallels in the character of Chillingworth and the creature from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. One of the main similarities points out the transformation from innocence and morality to evil and misery. Just as the creature is wronged by society and consequently kills the loved ones of his creator, Victor, so too does Chillingworth decide to torment the lover of his ex-wife when he learns of their affair. This torment is also a marked similarity between the two stories. Chillingworth feels wronged by the affair of his wife, but he never utilizes the knowledge he has of her lover to hurt her further than the scarlet letter has already done. This could possibly be because she did not wrong him any more after her public disgrace. The creature, on the other hand, forcefully used his power over Victor to enact great misery and torture on the man. The two stories also contrast when it comes to the falling action of the plot. In Frankenstein, Victor chases the creture with futility until he dies with his goal unfulfilled and the creature committing suicide. The Scarlet Letter differs from this story because the characters being tormented attempt to escape the grasp Chillingworth holds over them by revealing themselves to the crowd. The falling action is very short in this story, as Dimmesdale dies almost immediately afterwards, and his death leaves questions regarding the towns perception of him and Hester.
Monday, April 30, 2012
The Scarlet Letter: Forgiveness
"'There might be good for thee, and thee alone, since thou hast been deeply wronged, and hast it at thy will to pardon. Wilt thou give up that only privelege? Wilt thou reject that priceless benefit?'" Pg. 133
The first half of this novel caused me to think that admonishment and vengeance would be the norm throughout the whole book. I read about Hester's public humiliation, the physician trying through shady means get Dimmesdale to reveal his wrongs, and Dimmesdale contending with physical illness and mental struggle. However, through the second half of this book, I have come to know that the spirit of forgivness is just as equally represented, which I find uplifting, since no community is devoid of this quality. Even in the strict moral days of pre-colonial Puritan settlement, people found it in their hearts to absolve the well-repented sins of others. This quote displays some of that forgiveness, and by Hester nonetheless. She explains to Chillingworth that she understands his desire to act treacherously towards Dimmesdale because he was wronged by the man nearly eight years earlier when they had their affair. So too do the people of the town show forgivness and compassion. On page 188, the narrator says how the Puritans "were none the less inclined to pronounce the child a demon offspring..." I think the people realize that Hester has paid her dues by wearing around her letter without protest for many years and has largely stayed clear of the public eye.
The first half of this novel caused me to think that admonishment and vengeance would be the norm throughout the whole book. I read about Hester's public humiliation, the physician trying through shady means get Dimmesdale to reveal his wrongs, and Dimmesdale contending with physical illness and mental struggle. However, through the second half of this book, I have come to know that the spirit of forgivness is just as equally represented, which I find uplifting, since no community is devoid of this quality. Even in the strict moral days of pre-colonial Puritan settlement, people found it in their hearts to absolve the well-repented sins of others. This quote displays some of that forgiveness, and by Hester nonetheless. She explains to Chillingworth that she understands his desire to act treacherously towards Dimmesdale because he was wronged by the man nearly eight years earlier when they had their affair. So too do the people of the town show forgivness and compassion. On page 188, the narrator says how the Puritans "were none the less inclined to pronounce the child a demon offspring..." I think the people realize that Hester has paid her dues by wearing around her letter without protest for many years and has largely stayed clear of the public eye.
The Scarlet Letter: Stream of Consciousness
"That self was gone. Another man had returned out of the forest: a wiser one; with a knowledge of hidden mysteris which the simplicity of the former never could have reached. A bitter kind of knowledge that!" Pg. 172
The entirety of the chapter titled "The Minister in a Maze" reveals the physical and mental journey of Arthur Dimmesdale as he makes his way back to town from out of the woods. Hawthorne devoted an entire chapter to this journey because it marks a significant change in the personality of the minister. Interestingly, the chapter before also gives a glimpse of a very similar transformation, except by Hester. During this chapter, the minsiter becomes much less focused on his hypocrisy and more focused on the fact that he loves Hester and so must form more mortal, immoral thoughts that befit the mind of the common man. He thinks about cursing out young children and chastizing sailors for their licentious lives. Just as the scarlet letter makes the truth more clear to Hester that she loves Arthur and so must reveal their secret, the walk through the forest infuses the minister with confidence because the path before him, however unpleasant, is spelled out clearly. I do not think that this chapter simply sets the plot up for the revelation and the falling action, however. I think Hawthorne was trying to convey to the reader a theme or lesson that no person is infallible, and the more we hide or suppress our faults, the more powerfully they burst forth when we are put into testing situations.
The entirety of the chapter titled "The Minister in a Maze" reveals the physical and mental journey of Arthur Dimmesdale as he makes his way back to town from out of the woods. Hawthorne devoted an entire chapter to this journey because it marks a significant change in the personality of the minister. Interestingly, the chapter before also gives a glimpse of a very similar transformation, except by Hester. During this chapter, the minsiter becomes much less focused on his hypocrisy and more focused on the fact that he loves Hester and so must form more mortal, immoral thoughts that befit the mind of the common man. He thinks about cursing out young children and chastizing sailors for their licentious lives. Just as the scarlet letter makes the truth more clear to Hester that she loves Arthur and so must reveal their secret, the walk through the forest infuses the minister with confidence because the path before him, however unpleasant, is spelled out clearly. I do not think that this chapter simply sets the plot up for the revelation and the falling action, however. I think Hawthorne was trying to convey to the reader a theme or lesson that no person is infallible, and the more we hide or suppress our faults, the more powerfully they burst forth when we are put into testing situations.
The Scarlet Letter: Connotation
"The child turned her eyes to the point indicated; and there lay the scarlet letter, so close upon the margin of the stream, that the gold embroidery was reflected in it." Pg. 162
An argument could almost be made that the scarlet letter acts as a dynamic character in this novel along with Hester and Dimmesdale. Indeed, the piece of fabric has an evolution throughout the work, because its connotation to Hester, Pearl, and the townspeople changes over the course of time and events. I will attempt to give my explanation of each evolution as I read them in the pages of this book. For Hester, the scarlet letter will always be a reminder of her affair with Dimmesdale and the public shame she must consequently endure. However, this quote above shows that the letter was also an instrument to her development, even if it was delayed. Over time the letter taught her that she could not be defined by it alone and that she truly loved Arthur regardless of the scrutiny such a relationship would cause. While it constantly admonished her, it also infused a confidence in Hester. For Pearl, the letter serves as her chief source of inquiry and entertainment. Because she lives away from the rest of the town with her mother, she is only exposed to adult behavior and quickly picks up on the differences in behavior her mom exhibits when in contact with the town. The letter is dynamic to Pearl because as a small child it was once normal but it grows into an obvious conspicous sign to her. For the townspeople, the letter represents their strict moral beliefs, but it also gives them the opportunity to develop forgiveness. Over time, they treat Hester less harshly and even begin to consider her a distinguishing mark for their town. Once chiefly important, the letter fades into the back of their minds.
An argument could almost be made that the scarlet letter acts as a dynamic character in this novel along with Hester and Dimmesdale. Indeed, the piece of fabric has an evolution throughout the work, because its connotation to Hester, Pearl, and the townspeople changes over the course of time and events. I will attempt to give my explanation of each evolution as I read them in the pages of this book. For Hester, the scarlet letter will always be a reminder of her affair with Dimmesdale and the public shame she must consequently endure. However, this quote above shows that the letter was also an instrument to her development, even if it was delayed. Over time the letter taught her that she could not be defined by it alone and that she truly loved Arthur regardless of the scrutiny such a relationship would cause. While it constantly admonished her, it also infused a confidence in Hester. For Pearl, the letter serves as her chief source of inquiry and entertainment. Because she lives away from the rest of the town with her mother, she is only exposed to adult behavior and quickly picks up on the differences in behavior her mom exhibits when in contact with the town. The letter is dynamic to Pearl because as a small child it was once normal but it grows into an obvious conspicous sign to her. For the townspeople, the letter represents their strict moral beliefs, but it also gives them the opportunity to develop forgiveness. Over time, they treat Hester less harshly and even begin to consider her a distinguishing mark for their town. Once chiefly important, the letter fades into the back of their minds.
The Scarlet Letter: Epithet
"There was a witchcraft in little Pearl's eyes, and her face, as she glanced upwards at the minister, wore that naughty smile that made its expression frequently so elfish." Pg. 118
When characters such as Hester and Dimmesdale began associating Pearl as being elfish, I simply thought they meant her physical appearance. She is most likely a petite young girl with some mature facial features, so the elf comparison fits. However, these same characters continue to describe her as such all the way until the end of the book, which caused me to take note of this use of epithet. The thought of an elf not only conjures up images of pointed ears and green suits but also distinct character traits such as a mischevious demeanor and a penchant for uncovering the secrets of others. I soon found how appropriate the adjective is for little Pearl, because she constantly questions the relationship between Dimmesdale and Hester in an attempt to reveal the secret behind their connected pasts. She finds, through pestering Hester, that both she and Arthur have been touched by the Black Man, and so connects their sins. I also found it interesting how she acted like an elf when it came to having Arhtur kiss her. She appears very precocious when she refuses to kiss him in the woods but then appears to have the great desire to kiss him in public at the end of the book. To me, it seems as though the mystery behind her mother's affair serves as a sort of entertainment for Pearl, because she is able to characterize, piece by piece, the actions of the adults which have led to the present.
When characters such as Hester and Dimmesdale began associating Pearl as being elfish, I simply thought they meant her physical appearance. She is most likely a petite young girl with some mature facial features, so the elf comparison fits. However, these same characters continue to describe her as such all the way until the end of the book, which caused me to take note of this use of epithet. The thought of an elf not only conjures up images of pointed ears and green suits but also distinct character traits such as a mischevious demeanor and a penchant for uncovering the secrets of others. I soon found how appropriate the adjective is for little Pearl, because she constantly questions the relationship between Dimmesdale and Hester in an attempt to reveal the secret behind their connected pasts. She finds, through pestering Hester, that both she and Arthur have been touched by the Black Man, and so connects their sins. I also found it interesting how she acted like an elf when it came to having Arhtur kiss her. She appears very precocious when she refuses to kiss him in the woods but then appears to have the great desire to kiss him in public at the end of the book. To me, it seems as though the mystery behind her mother's affair serves as a sort of entertainment for Pearl, because she is able to characterize, piece by piece, the actions of the adults which have led to the present.
Monday, April 23, 2012
The Scarlet Letter: Dimmesdale and Chillingworth
"'Yet some men bury their secrets thus,' observed the calm physician." Pg. 101
The above quote is a great representation of the measures people will go to to clear themselves when their backs are against the wall. Chillingworth, having been previously discovered to be a doctor of questionable trainind and accused of being the devil incarnate, makes a play towards the clergyman Dimmesdale in order to find fault in the man and remove his name from public notoriety and press. Just as the strong lacing of morality and religion dominates the first half of the book, the theme of fear of evil also presents itself in chapters nine and ten and I find it quite interesting. It is interesting because the townspeople do not know what the devil looks like, and so could never actually, definitively prove its palpable existence among man. I find it funny how the people are driven to fear and pandemonium over speculation and frenzy that are sensationalized by the leaders. It is quite sad really that they are so ignorant to the fact that a divine beign cannot actually be living through a person. Mind you that Salem was the town in which the witch trials took place. These people do not know what to think without having someone to blame the smallest faults on. Unfortunately for these two men, it is figures of prominence or those with private lives who seem to get the most speculation.
The above quote is a great representation of the measures people will go to to clear themselves when their backs are against the wall. Chillingworth, having been previously discovered to be a doctor of questionable trainind and accused of being the devil incarnate, makes a play towards the clergyman Dimmesdale in order to find fault in the man and remove his name from public notoriety and press. Just as the strong lacing of morality and religion dominates the first half of the book, the theme of fear of evil also presents itself in chapters nine and ten and I find it quite interesting. It is interesting because the townspeople do not know what the devil looks like, and so could never actually, definitively prove its palpable existence among man. I find it funny how the people are driven to fear and pandemonium over speculation and frenzy that are sensationalized by the leaders. It is quite sad really that they are so ignorant to the fact that a divine beign cannot actually be living through a person. Mind you that Salem was the town in which the witch trials took place. These people do not know what to think without having someone to blame the smallest faults on. Unfortunately for these two men, it is figures of prominence or those with private lives who seem to get the most speculation.
The Scarlet Letter: Pearl
"'He did not send me! cried she, positively. 'I have no Heavenly Father!'" Pg. 74
I believe the inclusion of Pearl in the novel definitely gives it more depth, but also adds to the melancholy and perpetually bitter state of Heter. I personally find it sad that Hester has reserved herself to the fact that she must live a separate life from the village and she is self-conscious everywhere she goes because of the scarlet letter. I almost feel like Hawthorne over-uses the phrase and the image in order to press into the reader's mind the plight she is embroiled in. The inclusion of Pearl does not help the situation. Although the author explains that Pearl's name is such because she does not have the same iniquities of her mother, Hester constantly sees her past wrongful actions portrayed in the child. Besides seeing the devil in the child, she also notes how Pearl is very outgoing and defiant when in conflict with others. She believes these are the traits that led her to sin, and she understandably does not want her daughter to emulate these actions. I feel like Hawthorne should include some more action on the part of Hester to break the situation she is in. I may be getting ahead of myself, and that resolution is to come later in the book, but for the first half she mostly accepts the gloominess and hopelessness as a way of life, and it is depressing.
I believe the inclusion of Pearl in the novel definitely gives it more depth, but also adds to the melancholy and perpetually bitter state of Heter. I personally find it sad that Hester has reserved herself to the fact that she must live a separate life from the village and she is self-conscious everywhere she goes because of the scarlet letter. I almost feel like Hawthorne over-uses the phrase and the image in order to press into the reader's mind the plight she is embroiled in. The inclusion of Pearl does not help the situation. Although the author explains that Pearl's name is such because she does not have the same iniquities of her mother, Hester constantly sees her past wrongful actions portrayed in the child. Besides seeing the devil in the child, she also notes how Pearl is very outgoing and defiant when in conflict with others. She believes these are the traits that led her to sin, and she understandably does not want her daughter to emulate these actions. I feel like Hawthorne should include some more action on the part of Hester to break the situation she is in. I may be getting ahead of myself, and that resolution is to come later in the book, but for the first half she mostly accepts the gloominess and hopelessness as a way of life, and it is depressing.
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