The Scarlet Letter Section 4 Blog 4

In the conclusion of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, I was surprised by the response of the townspeople to Mr. Dimmesdale's confession of sin and eventual death. Mr. Dimmesdale's revealing of a long kept secret took much strength and every last ounce of his breath, he didn't want to be misunderstood, but to clarify the misconception placed on him that he was flawless, holy, and pure. Hester, so long marked by her sin, suffers externally and internally humiliated by society for many years. Once Dimmesdale admits to his part in the same wrongdoing, some people are still hesitant to judge or disbelieving. This shows a major flaw in society and the unjust prejudice. A seemingly saintly man, who admits to error, will never be treated as hatefully and scorned as harshly as Hester who committed the same sin with him and has publicly bore shame ever since. It seems as though, nothing can fully take away all the respect the people have for the reverend, despite what he has done. "Neither, by their report, had his dying words acknowledged, nor even remotely implied, any, the slightest connection, on his part, with the guilt for which Hester Prynne had so long worn the scarlet letter,"(Hawthorne, 199). I was saddened to read that all the effort Dimmesdale put in to get his secret across ended up being so widely misunderstood and interpreted. Dimmesdale though, put in every last energy of life into his confession, owing it to everyone he was living a lie to and Hester who had kept quiet and endured for him so long.

The Scarlet Letter Section 2 Blog 3

Nearing the end of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, I noticed a significant change and development of both Reverend Dimmesdale and Pearl. Dimmesdale, who throughout the novel outwardly conforms while inwardly questioning, feels weak at the feet of society to reveal his secret sin which would taint his holy appearance and persona that the people associate with him. Plagued by inward shame and despair, Dimmesdale suffers his wrongdoing, inflicting pain upon himself since no one else knows the truth and can lay scorn upon him. The reverend, a seemingly weak character begging oftentimes for Hester's strength, doesn't initially seem likely to reveal his sin because he lacks the courage to do so. However, as a reader, I noticed a significant leap of faith instilled by Mr. Dimmesdale, and nearing his death bed he reveals the ultimate sin to the town as they march. Dimmesdale shows restraint to society's highly praised label of him and breaks free from the chain of pureness he has been bound with. The characterization of Dimmesdale after this turns to more hopeful, despite of the death he faces and response from all of Salem. He even says: " 'Is this not better...than we dreamed of in the forest,'"(Hawthorne,195). Beforehand, Dimmesdale had lacked self confidence and strength and now is so optimistic having relinquished his darkest secret. Nearing his final breath, Dimmesdale wishes Pearl to kiss him goodbye, and instead of resentment or turning away, Pearl obediently and reverently kisses his lips. This signifies a transformation is Pearl's acceptance of the reverend and also more importantly establishes a compassionate nature which before had been confused for wild untamed personality. "A spell was broken. the great scene of grief, in which the wild infant bore a part, had developed her sympathies;...she would grow up amid human joy and sorrow,"(Hawthorne,197). It is hopeful that Pearl will grow up to be promising and sympathetic, her nature isn't wicked and hopeless.

The Scarlet Letter Section 4 Blog 2

Chapter 18 of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne takes place still in the woods in the company of Hester and Mr. Dimmesdale. The letter "A" which Hester has long endured bearing upon her chest, has been the symbolism of her greater sin and a daily reminder and burden of that which she can't live down, even after seven years. However, within the intimacy of Mr. Dimmesdale, the two of them sharing their struggles of their mutual sin, Hester takes a bold move to remove herself of such a label. "..She undid the clasp that fastened the scarlet letter, and, taking it from her bosom, threw it to a distance among the withered leaves,"(Hawthorne,156). This incident is significant because it symbolizes Hester breaking free from the bondage placed upon her by society and by this courageous act is encouraging Mr. Dimmesdale to also move on from the same sin. Society has marked Hester long enough with humiliation and scorn, she throws the letter in self defiance as if to finally rid herself of the past. However, Pearl becomes enraged and her mother seems unrecognizable in her eyes without the scarlet letter to distinguish her. Pearl throws a fit of wildness, anger, and confusion which further the idea that the letter holds possession over Hester, and the patch is a part of Hester. No matter how hard Hester tries to ignore the past or leave it behind, because Pearl is a result of the sin which the "A" resembles, Hester cannot throw the patch away or ever disown Pearl, the only positive result of Hester's sin.

The Scarlet Letter Section 4 Blog 1

In chapter 17 of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester Prynne's meeting with Reverend Dimmesdale in the forest reveals the relationship of the two, being the bearers of the sin which is resembled by the "A" patch. Both dwell in misery at the punishment the crime has brought upon the two: shame and despair. While Hester has found a productive way to enter back into involvement in society, by helping the needy in Salem and embroidering lines for others to wear, the Reverend finds no peace in his sermons or service to people, thinking only what he does furthers his lie that he is a respectable man. The whole scene evokes pity by the reader for the sufferings of Hester and the Reverend, so connected in their misery, trying to help each other cope, but unable to be together because the public doesn't know and can't know their secret. The whole somberness of the scene, furthered by the reverend's misery and cries of despair, is appropriately set int the woods, which also seem to give an air of sadness, and hopelessness to the scene. The setting in the woods described as: "obscure around them..the boughs were tossing heavily above their heads; while one solemn old tree groaned dolefully to another, as if telling the sad story of the pair that sat beneath,"(Hawthorne, 151). Overall, I thought the author's use of setting to further the mood and the despairing instance of the novel, and reveal the eeriness of the woods which is the only place where Hester and the Reverend can find comfort to meet.

The Scarlet Letter: Section 2 Blog 4

In the final chapter of section two (chapter 9) of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, I first noticed the symbolism of the title of the chapter and it's relevance to pertaining to Roger Chillingworth's very nature. The chapter which centers around the growing relationship and familiarity of Mr. Chillingworth to Mr. Dimmesdale as a scandolous relationship, with Roger having an evil scheme and personal benefit in plan from their getting to know. The reverend is thoughtful and wise, but not suspicious or intuitive to Roger's secret plan of deception. This might be caused by Mr. Chillingworth's skill at secrecy and plotting, which make me as a reader want to shout out to Mr. Dimmesdale to be careful of Roger's seemingly good intentions and character as his physician. Like a leech, Mr. Chillingworth attaches himself onto the reverend, digging into his deepest most innermost self to discover more about Mr. Dimmesdale and use his weakness, flaws, and personal evils to destroy him. "...the strong interest which the physician ever manifested in the young clergyman; he attached himself to him as a parishioner, and sought to win a friendly regard and confidence from his naturally reserved sensibility," (Hawthorne, 92). This shows the physician's ability to sneak into a seemingly genuine relationship with the idea of winning over the clergyman's trust and good company. To prove that the "leech" of this chapter is being compared to Mr. Chillingworth, a separate definition for the word leech is a physician. I, feeling sorry for the trap Mr. Dimmesdale is getting into, hope he will see beyond Mr. Chillingworth's fake sincerity.

The Scarlet Letter: Section 2 Blog 3

In chapter 8 of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the dispute over if Hester Prynne is capable to hold ownership over her daughter Pearl is disputed between Mr. Chillingworth, the governor, the minister, and Hester Prynne herself. The fact that there should even be an argument over whether a mother should have guardianship over her own child seems without debate in my opinion. I was slightly irritated with this idea, and therefore, sympathized with Hester, unable to imagine what life would be like to have one's child taken away especially when the child is the one positive result which came from a sin one is constantly reminded of. The diction used in this chapter helps describe the intense emotion of Hester and set the stage for sympathy evoked by the reader and intensity for the situation. " 'God gave me the child!..He gave her in requital of all things else, which he had taken from me. She is my happiness!..Pearl keeps me here in life! Pearl punishes me, too! See ye not, she is the scarlet letter, only capable of being loved, and so endowed with a million-fold the power of retribution for my sin? Ye shall not take her! I will die first,"(Hawthorne,85)! the begging tone of Hester and the choice of words depict her helpless cry for Pearl and show Hester's pride in Pearl, despite where Pearl arose from or the struggles Pearl gives Hester. Overall, this the defining instance thus far in the book where Hester's love is most deeply conveyed.

The Scarlet Letter: Section 2 Blog 2

In my continuation of reading section two of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, more insight into Hester Prynne's child has been revealed. I noticed the literary technique of characterization being used in chapter six to describe Pearl in her growing and maturity from the infant that she was in the intro of the book to thus far. Pearl, described as being a lively image of sparkling radiance and childish playfulness is also portrayed as possessing passion and imagination. Pearl, named for her rarity and preciousness like a pearl has "the wild-flower prettiness of a peasant-baby, and the pomp, in little, of an infant princess. Throughout all, however, there was a trait of passion, a certain depth of hue, which she never lost; and if, in any of her changes, she had grown fainter or paler, she would have ceased to be herself,"(Hawthorne,68). By understanding features of Pearl and insight into her personality, connections and links can be made between her and similar attributes of Hester, and the fate and potential of Pearl being the daughter of Hester so strongly out casted from society. I feel Pearl will either rebel from her mother's control, seeing her mother's flaw and siding with society to mock and ridicule Hester, or be unable to be her own person, thus  being forever be marked by her mother's sin.

The Scarlet Letter: Section 2 Blog 1

Upon reading the second section of Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne's disconnection from society is more deeply emphasized and explained by her refuge to a quiet small cottage near the water and outside of Salem's bustle. However, Hester still makes the occasional journey to town and has not been totally forgotten by society. In fact, though strongly detested for her crime, nobleman and respected officials will wear Hester's stitching on their uniforms. This I found to be quite ironic. Hester is labeled by society with the prominent etched "A" over her chest, and so too does Hester label many people is society, not in disrespect or to shame, but rather in the finest stitching. I found irony also in the fact that because of being an adulterer, Hester cannot embroider a women's veil for certainly an unfaithful woman cannot leave her work on a future bride indebted forever to their husband. "But it is not recorded that, in a single instance, her skill was called in aid to embroider the white veil which was to cover the pure blushes of a bride," (Hawthorne, 62). Overall, I am somewhat relieved to see Hester can still make a living and do work for others in society who do not denounce her occupation, but of course, Hester cannot fully live down the crime and there is restrictions to the extent of her work and who wears it.