"She had returned, therefore, and resumed,—of her own free will, for not the sternest magistrate of that iron period would have imposed it,—resumed the symbol of which we have related so dark a tale. Never afterwards did it quit her bosom. But . . . the scarlet letter ceased to be a stigma which attracted the world’s scorn and bitterness, and became a type of something to be sorrowed over, and looked upon with awe, and yet with reverence, too." (page 202)
Similar to the previous passage, the sense of empowerment and overcoming obstacles is the basic way to sum up the last chapter of the book. We, as readers are left with Hester being a hero in a way. Through the entire book, Hester is regarded as a sinful woman who struggles to make her true personality known. However, it is evidences through Hester returning back home and her continuing to wear the scarlet letter, that she is not ashamed of who she is. Rather than being ashamed, Hester knows that her past is a part of her, but she wants to move forward. A theme of forgiveness that accompanies the theme of sin is present in this very action. To me, I thought that ending the book with a courageous Hester, was the best way to make the upsetting tale surprisingly inspiring and uplifting.
Monday, April 30, 2012
The Scarlet Letter 9
"But there was a more real life for Hester Prynne here, in New England, than in that unknown region where Pearl had found a home. Here had been her sin; here, her sorrow; and here was yet to be her penitence." (page 202)
The final chapter of The Scarlet Letter shows what Hester has faced in her time at home. Now, Hester is ready to move forward and escape the judgments and make a new name for herself. Rather than using the scarlet letter as a symbol of shame, Hester proves it to be a symbol of her character. I am struck by Hester's courage in the face of so much adversity. Yes, it was her fault to commit the sin, but she continued to change the rules of society by showing to everyone how they could not bring her down. I think that Hester shows to a lot of people in New England who exactly she is and who she is not. Despite everyone's harsh opinions, she is determined to be herself and show everyone the true Hester. The real personality and real life of Hester Prynne is made known.
The final chapter of The Scarlet Letter shows what Hester has faced in her time at home. Now, Hester is ready to move forward and escape the judgments and make a new name for herself. Rather than using the scarlet letter as a symbol of shame, Hester proves it to be a symbol of her character. I am struck by Hester's courage in the face of so much adversity. Yes, it was her fault to commit the sin, but she continued to change the rules of society by showing to everyone how they could not bring her down. I think that Hester shows to a lot of people in New England who exactly she is and who she is not. Despite everyone's harsh opinions, she is determined to be herself and show everyone the true Hester. The real personality and real life of Hester Prynne is made known.
The Scarlet Letter 8
"The scarlet letter was her passport into regions where other women dared not tread. Shame, Despair, Solitude! These had been her teachers,—stern and wild ones,—and they had made her strong, but taught her much amiss." (page 154)
Again, the theme of sin pops up towards the end of the book. In a reconnecting conversation with Dimmesdale, Hester and Dimmesdale decide to go to Europe together with Pearl. The scarlet letter truly proved to be her "passport" to another world of shame, despair and solitude. The scarlet letter, her sin, pushed her away from the rest of society. The shame, despair, and solitude in which she lived her life for the past years, taught her a lot about who she is and about her mistakes. Her sin also led her to alienation from everything else. However, in this chapter, we as readers truly get a since of companionship between the narrator and Hester. The narrator seems to be proud of Hester for handling everything the way she has. I think the narrator admires Hester for her courage and longs to do the same thing in his life.
Again, the theme of sin pops up towards the end of the book. In a reconnecting conversation with Dimmesdale, Hester and Dimmesdale decide to go to Europe together with Pearl. The scarlet letter truly proved to be her "passport" to another world of shame, despair and solitude. The scarlet letter, her sin, pushed her away from the rest of society. The shame, despair, and solitude in which she lived her life for the past years, taught her a lot about who she is and about her mistakes. Her sin also led her to alienation from everything else. However, in this chapter, we as readers truly get a since of companionship between the narrator and Hester. The narrator seems to be proud of Hester for handling everything the way she has. I think the narrator admires Hester for her courage and longs to do the same thing in his life.
The Scarlet Letter 7
“Mother,” said little Pearl, “the sunshine does not love you. It runs away and hides itself, because it is afraid of something on your bosom. . . . It will not flee from me, for I wear nothing on my bosom yet!” “Nor ever will, my child, I hope,” said Hester. “And why not, mother?” asked Pearl, stopping short. . . . “Will it not come of its own accord, when I am a woman grown?” (page 141)
This quote explains the significance of the scarlet letter and the effect of sin in the daily life of all of the main characters. Pearl notices the "lack of sunshine in her mother’s life" and how it has to do with the scarlet letter. Pearl, as a little girl cannot understand the significance of the scarlet letter and what it means to Hester. However, Pearl can understand that the lack of sunshine in her mother's life is caused by something, and she makes the assumption that it is due to the scarlet letter. Pearl thinks that all women must wear the scarlet letter, but Hester informs her that she wishes and hopes this will not be the case. This shows that Pearl, as a immature, yet observable character, thinks that the letter, which represents sin, is simply a part of every human being.
This quote explains the significance of the scarlet letter and the effect of sin in the daily life of all of the main characters. Pearl notices the "lack of sunshine in her mother’s life" and how it has to do with the scarlet letter. Pearl, as a little girl cannot understand the significance of the scarlet letter and what it means to Hester. However, Pearl can understand that the lack of sunshine in her mother's life is caused by something, and she makes the assumption that it is due to the scarlet letter. Pearl thinks that all women must wear the scarlet letter, but Hester informs her that she wishes and hopes this will not be the case. This shows that Pearl, as a immature, yet observable character, thinks that the letter, which represents sin, is simply a part of every human being.
The Scarlet Letter 6
"The whole universe is false, it is impalpable, it shrinks to nothing within his grasp. And he himself, in so far as he shows himself in a false light, becomes a shadow, or indeed, ceases to exist." (page 112)
In chapter 11, the reader finds out for certain that Dimmesdale is the father of Pearl. As a minister and a moral man, it is evident through the entire chapter that Dimmesdale is suffering. However, through his suffering, he is inspired to preach about sin. does inspire him to deliver some of his most powerful sermons, which focus on the topic of sin. Dimmesdale faces an internal struggle and as a result he begins to see visions. Then, Dimmesdale begins to physically torture himself. He whips himself, he fasts, and stays up all night thinking about his wrongdoings. stays awake throughout the night meditating upon his sin. I think that this entire chapter is personifying the theme of sin throughout this entire book. The standards of the society in which Hester and Dimmesdale live and their failure to live up to those standards have serious affects on them and their daily lives. In turn, this affects the entire story line.
Monday, April 23, 2012
The Scarlet Letter- Introductory
“A writer of story-books! What kind of a business in life,—what mode of glorifying God, or being serviceable to mankind in his day and generation,—may that be?" (page 6)
When I first started reading this book, I didn't read the introduction because I didn't think it was important. But, I went back after I finished reading the first half and read it again. The introduction is actually very important because it explains the narrator and why he is writing. I found a similarity between Hester and the narrator. The narrator, as evidenced by this quote, is influenced by society. According to society, writing books is of no use and does not "glorify God". Much like this, Hester is driven by society and their judgments of her. Hester is trying to find herself and who she is among all of the other trials in her life. Similarly, the narrator is trying to find who he is and his purpose for writing. The narrator longs to figure our his place in society. This explains to the reader what the motivation behind the story is and adds a bit of realism to the story as well.
When I first started reading this book, I didn't read the introduction because I didn't think it was important. But, I went back after I finished reading the first half and read it again. The introduction is actually very important because it explains the narrator and why he is writing. I found a similarity between Hester and the narrator. The narrator, as evidenced by this quote, is influenced by society. According to society, writing books is of no use and does not "glorify God". Much like this, Hester is driven by society and their judgments of her. Hester is trying to find herself and who she is among all of the other trials in her life. Similarly, the narrator is trying to find who he is and his purpose for writing. The narrator longs to figure our his place in society. This explains to the reader what the motivation behind the story is and adds a bit of realism to the story as well.
The Scarlet Letter- Dimmesdale's weakness
"But with what a wild look of wonder, joy, and horror! With what a ghastly rapture, as it were, too mighty to be expressed only by the eye and features, and therefore bursting forth through the whole ugliness of his features, and therefore bursting forth through the whole ugliness of his figure, and making itself even riotously manifest by the extravagant gestures with which he thew up his arms towards the ceiling, and stamped his foot upon the floor!" (page 106)
Chapters 9 and 10 show a relationship forming between Dimmesdale and Chillingworth. Throughout these chapters, information on both character is made known to the readers. Most importantly, Dimmesdale's internal and external suffering is made known. To Chillingworth, Dimmesdale's behavior and reasoning causes him to be suspicious and he begins to raise questions. While Dimmesdale is asleep, Chillingworth sneaks up to Dimmesdale and pushes aside the shirt that Dimmesdale is wearing. What he sees on Dimmesdale’s chest causes the doctor to rejoice. It is unknown to the reader as to what Chillingworth is responding to. As a reader, one can infer that Dimmesdale and his external and internal sufferings are linked together. Chillingworth has begun to decipher what is the root of his sufferings. As a reader, we can speculate that it has to do with Hester as well and Dimmesdale could possibly be the father of Pearl. The reader is left at the edge of their seat by the end of chapter 10.
Chapters 9 and 10 show a relationship forming between Dimmesdale and Chillingworth. Throughout these chapters, information on both character is made known to the readers. Most importantly, Dimmesdale's internal and external suffering is made known. To Chillingworth, Dimmesdale's behavior and reasoning causes him to be suspicious and he begins to raise questions. While Dimmesdale is asleep, Chillingworth sneaks up to Dimmesdale and pushes aside the shirt that Dimmesdale is wearing. What he sees on Dimmesdale’s chest causes the doctor to rejoice. It is unknown to the reader as to what Chillingworth is responding to. As a reader, one can infer that Dimmesdale and his external and internal sufferings are linked together. Chillingworth has begun to decipher what is the root of his sufferings. As a reader, we can speculate that it has to do with Hester as well and Dimmesdale could possibly be the father of Pearl. The reader is left at the edge of their seat by the end of chapter 10.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)