Scarlet Letter: 2nd Block

The A stands for adultery.

I find it very interesting that all of the key characters in the book are present in all the key scenes. One of the characters that puzzles me is Mistress HIbbins. Her whole role in the novel is to demonstrate evil, as she's a "witch", but she doesn't seem to have any relevance to the plot. One of the characters I find most interesting is Pearl. The Puritans look at Pearl as a devil-child, and even Hester asks on page 89, "Child, what art thou?" I agree with Peter, it seems like Hester can't even believe Pearl is her child and doesn't know whether it's her fault and her sins that Pearl is the way she is. Hawthorne describes Pearl as a "native grace" and that she has an "outward mutability" (pg. 83). Hawthorne also states "The child could not be made amenable to rules," (pg. 83). I think Pearl is a product of her upbringing, but it's also just the way she is, her natural personality may be looked upon as "demonic" by the Puritans. I think Pearl is the crux of Hester's life; she is a reminder of her sins. Pearl is the product of Hester's sins, and Hester probably regrets having to raise a child that will have an inherent connection to Hester's sins, she emobodies them, no matter how nicely Hester dresses her. Dimmesdale is also a very interesting character. He is a very holy man, and "his inward trouble drove him to practices more in accordance with the old, corrupted faith of Rome," (pg. 131). Dimmesdale strives to be this holy man and a "perfect" man, but he knows that his whole life is a life is a lie, and that is his great struggle. Chillingworth calls Dimmesdale on his inner troubles, stating that Dimmesdale has "some ailment in the spiritual part," (pg. 124) and offers to not-so-slyly help him try to "solve" the spiritual problems, which Dimmesdale obviously objects to. One of the key parts of the novel is when Chillingworth comes in and open Dimmesdale's shirt (pg, 126), and I think this is when Chillingworth realizes what Dimmesdale is, and I think he realizes that Dimmesdale is the father of Pearl. We also see, based on Chillingworth's reaction, his direct connection with the devil.
Another thing I find interesting is Bellingham's mansion, which shows many elements of "the old hereditary halls of England," (pg. 95). I find it ironic how Bellingham has decorated his mansion with all this English relics when the Puritans escaped to America from England because of their persecution.
Overall, I agree with Emily's statement that as the novel goes on, we see how Hester continually suffers. She loves Pearl very much, but Pearl is also a daily reminder of Hester's sins, so Pearl is essentially a catalyst.

On exploring the relationship between Dimmesdale and Chillingworth
I find that one of the most interesting parts of this novel is the intimate relationship between the doctor and the physician. To me the relationship is almost a parasitic one, in which Chillingworth feeds upon Dimmesdale’s soul, as though he were sent by or is, himself, the devil, in a never ending conquest to satisfy his own personal cravings for justice and revenge.
At the beginning of the novel when Hester meets Roger Chillingworth in the prison he says to her "His fame, his position, his life, will be in my hands. Beware!" (pg. 76) and in doing so lays out his future obsession. In that moment, it as if Roger Chillingworth tosses off his past self and sells his soul to the devil in order to pursue that which he wants most, revenge. Hester even asks him "Art though like the Black man?" (pg 77), as though he were the devil himself. We do not hear of Mr. Chillingworth again until chapter nine when his reasoning behind his chosen conquest is more explored, the narrator explains that Chillingworth "beheld the woman, in whom he hoped to find embodied the warmth and cheerfulness of home, set up as a type of sin before the people. Her matronly frame was trodden under all men's feet... For her kindred... there remained nothing but the contagion of her dishonor, - which would not fail to be distributed in strict accordance and proportion with the intimacy and sacredness of their previous relationship." (pg. 107-108) Which demonstrates that, at first, Roger was seemingly heartbroken and let down, in a sense he wanted revenge not only for himself but also for his lost wife whom he had hoped to pass a normal and happy life with. However "This purpose once effected, new interests would immediately spring up, and likewise a new purpose; dark, it is true, if not guilty, but of force enough to engage the full strength of his faculties." (pg. 108)
Then we are introduced to the relationship between Chillingworth and Dimmesdale. As the narrator remarks “A man burdened with a secret should especially avoid the intimacy of his physician” (pg. 113), but as time progresses Chillingworth and Dimmesdale actually choose to reside within the same dwelling. While Chillingworth’s demeanor appears to reason that he is there to help aid the ailing minister, his other somewhat peculiar behaviors and inner character suggest otherwise. “Roger Chillingworth’s aspect had undergone a remarkable change…since his abode with Mr. Dimmesdale. At first his expression had been calm, meditative, scholar-like. Now there was something ugly and evil in his face, which they had not preciously noticed, and which grew still more obvious.” (pg. 116) These signs of an iniquity within Chillingworth appear to further interlace him with the devil as the narrator explains that it is as if “The fire in his laboratory had been brought from the lower regions, and was fed with infernal fuel” (pg. 116). Accordingly, as the narrator expatiates, “Dimmesdale, like many other personages of especial sanctity, in all ages of the Christian world, was haunted either by Satan himself, or Satan’s emissary, in the guise of old Roger Chillingworth.”(pg. 116) It is almost as though Roger feeds off of Dimmesdale pain as though he were the devil draining Dimmesdale of his spirit, “From the gloom and terror in the depths of the poor minister’s eye, the battle was a sore one, and the victory anything but secure. (pg. 117) Chillingworth “had begun an investigation… With the severe and equal integrity of a judge, desirous only of truth… of human passions, and wrongs inflicted on himself. But as he proceeded, a terrible fascination… seized the old man within its gripe, and never set him free again.” (Pg, 117) Which demonstrates that at first, though Chillingworth may only have sought to know whether Dimmesdale was guilty or not, as time progressed he soon hungered for Dimmesdale’s suffering, as though only the ministers deep misery could bring him joy. Even in the chapter titles, Roger is referred to as “The leech”, though he feeds not upon blood but upon Dimmesdale’s shame and guilt. Thereby his hunger is satisfied by extracting slow revenge through heightening and prolonging the pain Dimmesdale feels from hiding his secret.
Although Dimmesdale seemed to have some understanding of the peril he placed himself in, his morbidness “rendered him suspicious of all mankind. Trusting no man as his friend, he could not recognize his enemy when the latter actually appeared” (pg 118). Which is further demonstrated when chapter 12 comes to a close with Dimmesdale telling Hester “I have a nameless horror of the man!”(pg 142) but “with a chill despondency, like one awaking, all nerveless, from an ugly dream, he yielded himself to the physician, and was led away.” (pg 143)

The A "brands" Hester as an outcast, but is represented by Pearl in an almost redemptive way. Pearl is also the symbol of Hester's sin and Hester's salvation, especially when mistress Hibbins invites Hester to come to the forest to meet with the Black Man.

One thing that I found interesting was the scene in which Dimmesdale saw the letter A in the sky. I thought that it was interesting how everyone who saw the A interpreted it differently. Dimmesdale's guilt led him to believe that the A stood for his sin, but the innocent townspeople thought that the A stood for the word angel. Another thing I found interesting about this scene was that everyone thought that the A had to mean something. Puritan values said that everything meant something, so the meteor that fell had to be a message from god instead of just a normal meteor.

Mine didn't post yesterday, so here's some free writing stuff!
I think Pearl is a really interesting character. Through out the book I've thought of Pearl as the voice of truth in the novel, and while reading the 12th chapter I think that we really did see that. Pearl seems to be the one character that no one really tells anything to, but she also is the character who seems to know the truth. I also find Pearl so interesting because of the relationship that she shares with Hester. It is clearly a complex relationship between the two. I think that it's a really intriguing that Hester both loves and hates Pearl. I mean we've openly seen that she loves Pearl, Pearl has saved her in many ways (from the devil). But we also get to see that Pearl has really hurt and destroyed Hester. Because of Hester's actions and the result of those actions (Pearl) Hester has been socially ruined, and in a way mentally and emotionally ruined too.
One really interesting thing that I noticed while reading the 12th chapter about the exchange between Pearl and Dimmesdale was that she kept asking him if he would stand out in the daylight with her and her mother. And of course Dimmesdale still in his denial stage, opening says to Pearl that he will not. But not even a page later, the meteorite lights up the sky, and you are given the image of Dimmesdale, Hester, and Pearl (trinity?) all standing in a type of daylight.
All in all, I really love the book!

Backing on what Tess said about Bellingham's mansion, I think that the mansion itself shows quite a bit of irony in the book. The mansion is decked with lavish paintings, (English) plants, furniture, etc. Hawthorne goes on and on describing this place and it is completely contradicting the lifestyle and point of view of the Puritan society. The Puritan society is based on simplicity, modesty, hard work, and religiousness. This house is way too fancy to be simple or modest; I'm sure Bellingham didn't build it himself, and in no way is it a service to their God to have such fancy posessions and selfishness. He also had multiple pictures of his ancestors throughout his home. That’s problematic considering that Puritan theology focuses solely on one’s actions that they show in the present life they are living, is not that of their forefathers. These showy English plants that he had in his garden were slowly taken over by the native shrubbery of the land. I immediately found this to be a sort of metaphor for Hester. This metaphor shows how these orthodox Puritans in America wanted so badly to shut down the unique spirit and crime that wouldn’t even be a problem to be dealt with very seriously back in Britain.
Another interesting point I brought up yesterday was the relationship between Hester and Pearl. On page 89, Hester, because of the way she has been treated by the community for having Pearl, begins to have an episode where she does not believe that Pearl is her child. "'Art thou my child in very truth?' Asked Hester."(pg 89) "...that her mother half doubted whether she were not acquainted with the secret spell of her existence, and might not now reveal herself."(pg 89). "Thou art not my child! Thou art no Pearl of mine!"(pg 90). These all show either Hester's doubt that Pearl is her child, or how the community is affecting her mind causing her to move away from what they punish her for.

Good book!

One of the questions in the questions for better reading asks if you identify with the protagonist. I think that at some point in their lives everyone identifies with Hester Prynne. Especially at the beginning of the book Hester is really self conscious about the scarlet letter. Chapter 5 is the place where it talks about how she can’t flee but she can’t stay so she goes to the outskirts of town. I don’t remember what chapter but when Pearl was a baby and Hester carries her around to cover the scarlet letter but Pearl herself is a living scarlet letter who constantly reminds Hester of what she’s done. If it hadn’t been for Pearl though Hester could have gone on living her life. The characters are incredibly interesting in this book. At the beginning before we really started the book Ms. Slocum said that this book was a glance at psychology before people really knew what psychology was and I agree. In this book there are incredibly rounded and multi-faceted characters and on some level we can identify with most of them. Whether it’s the inner desire like with Dimmsdale and wanting to confess his sin or the governor and Hester being practical on some level and trying to make the best of things. No one can really let these things go and they hold on to them like Pearl obsessing about the scarlet letter.

The amount of sexism in the Puritan society is amazing. I believe that when the writer started with Old Mistress Hibbins practicing witchcraft, referring to evil women with magical powers, he shows the thoughts of the Puritan communities that men are the purer of the two sexes. Mistress Hibbins is constantly attempting to get others to join her community of people who do the Devil’s work. A quote showing the description of the woman is on page 107 “’We shall have thee there anon’ said the witch-lady, frowning, as she drew back her head.” It seems that the description alone of Mistress Hibbins is enough to scare anyone from the beliefs of the Devil. It’s also really funny to me that despite Roger Chillingworth’s studies in science and medicine, that is not considered to be apart of witchcraft. I think that if it would have been a woman studying in science and medicine it would have been considered witchcraft. On top of that, Hester is the only person being accused of adultery and its obvious that she could not have done it alone. Dimmesdale is allowed to go free from public scorn, even though he has private mental ailments because of his actions. The men at the top of society are hypocritical and sexist towards Hester and Pearl because of Hester’s adultery and use the opportunity to make comments using abusive terms. An example of this is on page 100 where the Governor is talking about Pearl but he based his thoughts on Hester’s adultery actions “we might have judged that such a child’s mother must needs be a scarlet woman, and a worthy type of her of Babylon!” Both the term “scarlet woman” and “Babylon” refer to a woman who does not deserve respect. The final example of sexism is to Pearl. She is referred to as an imp and a scarlet child throughout the story, but the example of how Pearl is a crazy child on page 93 where children are making comments towards Hester and Pearl attempts to defend her she is described as “the scarlet fever, or some such half-fledged angel of judgment,-whose mission was to punish the sins of the rising generation.” Instead of seeing the children who first started the episode as the evildoers, Pearl is seen as the crazy imp child who likes to attack people. It feels to me that the overall sexism of the Puritan society is overlooked, similar to all the other times of sexism in history.
The relationship of Hester and Pearl is very different from the typical mother-daughter relationship. It seems that while Hester symbolizes sin because of her Adultery and the scarlet letter, Pearl symbolizes purity because she sees the world for what it is without bias. It reminds me of the yin-yang theory and together they keep the world they live in balanced. Some examples I have found of Pearl’s purity would be when Hester was telling Pearl who her father was, and Pearl states “I have no Heavenly Father!” (Page 90.) This shows how Pearl has not been influenced by the Puritan views and she knows the truth behind the world. Even the way Hester dresses Pearl, “the richest tissues that could be procured, and allowed her imaginative faculty its full play in the arrangement and decoration of the dresses which the child wore, to the public eye.” (Page 82.) Pearl is associated with purity while her mother dresses as a normal commoner and always being forced to show the Scarlet Letter. The final example of how I believe Pearl is pure would be how her personality protects the dignity of others and she will not allow herself to be intimidated by people who might force her to believe something. When she is answering Mr. Wilson’s questions as to where she came from, she declares, “she had not been made at all, but had been plucked by her mother off the bush of wild roses that grew by the prison door.” (Page 102.) This refers back to the roses and rose bushes, and show that Pearl will not be intimidated by anyone. I think that Hester and Pearl truly need each other to survive because they depend on each other to balance their different personalities.

A few of the things that I found interesting included Hester Prynne's handiwork, Chillingworth pretty much torturing Dimmesdale, the scene where Chillingworth looks at Dimmesdale's chest, and at the end of chapter 12 when everyone sees the letter A in the sky. Firstly, I find it ironic that even though all the townspeople had publicly ridiculed her they will still wear the clothes she makes. They even enjoy the works she has made. On page 76 it even says "...her handiwork became what would now be termed the fashion." Not only has her work been enjoyed, but it has become a fashion, which in a Puritan society seems like that would almost be a sin to have any kind of fashion. Next, I thought it was terrible that Chillingworth kept on pestering Dimmesdale. At one point on page 119 they have a conversation about an odd plant. Dimmesdale asks where Chillingworth got it, and he replies with I found them on a grave, probably of some man who was buried with some secret sin which he never confessed. That line alone I thought just screamed that Chillingworth knows that it was him who committed the crime, and all Chillingworth needs at this point is a confession. However, Dimmesdale will never give up his secret. The next part where Chillingworth finds something on Dimmesdale's chest I thought was one of the most intriguing parts so far in this book. Hawthorne wrote this passage so well; it filled me with suspense. This happens on page 126 and it describes Chillingworth opening up Dimmesdale's shirt and then Dimmesdale almost wakes up. Then Hawthorne describes Chillingworth's reaction as "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 therefor bursting forth through he whole ugliness of his figure, and making itself even riotously manifest by the extravagant gestures with which he threw up his arms towards the ceiling, and stamped his foot upon the floor!" Even with this long, crazy reaction the reader never finds out what is actually on Dimmesdale's chest, which made me kind of mad. I hope that later we find out what is on his chest. Finally, I just thought it was comical on page 144 that the sexton could not understand what was actually happening. Even though the sexton finds Dimmesdale's glove on the scaffold and there is the big red A in the sky that same night, the sexton still believes that Satan stole his glove and the A stood for angel for the death of Governor Winthrop. It seems so blatantly obvious, but no one, except Chillingworth, finds out about Dimmesdale with Hester Prynne, at least not yet. All in all the book has been very interesting, and I cannot wait to see what happens between Dimmesdale and Chillingworth.

I find that how he describes Pearl and how you can see her grow up and mature throughout the novel. I think it is cool that in the beginning of the book she is just an infant and by the time of chapter twelve, she is about seven years old. For instance, chapter six is all about Pearl and I found that to be the most interesting chapter so far already. I like how Hester chose to name her daughter. "She named the infant Pearl, as being of great price." (pg. 81) I wish my name had an awesome reason behind it like Pearl's! Pearl was a pretty well of child. "Little Pearl was not clad in rustic weeds. Her mother, with a morbid purpose, that may be better understood hereafter, had bought the richest tissues that could be procured, and allowed her imaginative faculty its full play in the arrangement and decoration of the dresses which the child wore." (pg. 82) She almost acts exactly like her mother, Hester. "Pearl felt that sentiment, and requited it with the bitterest hatred that can be supposed to rankle in a childish bosom. These outbreaks of a fierce temper had a kind of value.." (Pg. 86) That showed the Pearl inherited all of Hester's enmity and passion. So far Pearl is my favorite character and I hope there is more of her in the last chapter of The Scarlet Letter! Also, i think that Hester couldn't survive without Pearl. They have such a strong relationship and I don't believe she would be the same without her little girl.

(I lost my old blog entry yesterday so this one is not as good.) One theme that I have found especially interesting in this book so far has been the widespread hypocrisy in the community. Specifically, the hypocrisy associated with Dimmesdale, Chillingworth, and Governor Bellingham are especially obvious. Dimmesdale is a man of the cloth and is seen by many of his followers as a saint on earth. He represents the pinnacle of puritan faith in the society and yet he is the secret lover of Hester and the father of Pearl. His life is essentially a lie and this extreme guilt causes him incredible grief and surely is one cause of his failing health. Chillingworth's job as a doctor is also somewhat hypocratic in the sense that his role in his association to Dimmesdale is to try and cure his ailment. However, he uses his close friendship with Dimmesdale to get to know him well enough in order to pinpoint on his insecurites. He then torments and prods Dimmesdales already immense shame in order to torture and make this man feel as bad as possible. All Chillingworth wants is revenge instead of helping this man as his doctor. Finally, Governor Bellingham is also a huge hypocrite in the sense that he is supposed to be the leader of the puritan "plain" community, and yet he shows off a lot of luxurious stuff that he owns. For instance, he has a huge mansion, he shows off his expensive and shiny armor, and he has beautiful garden with a large pumpkin. In all of this book Pearl seems to be the only one that is not a hypocrite and just does what she wants and yet she is the one that is considered a demon and evil.

Also, I said something on my comment yesterday about agreeing with Nic's comment about Pearl or something but now I can't remember what either of us said :]

I really like Chillingworth's character. He is so complex it is always fun to see what he is going to do next and whether or not he will do something good or evil. He genuinely seemed to care about Hester and Pearl. It seemed like her wanted to help her and for her to not be alone in her suffering.
On the other hand his pressuring of the community leaders to allow him to move in with Dimmesdale made it very clear that he was not completely a nice guy. It was very obvious that he had ulterior motives for wanting to move in with Dimmesdale. He is subtly, yet obviously, pushing Dimmesdale's buttons and trying to pump him for information, or guilt him into confessing the truth to him. He knows Dimmesdale is hiding something and he has an idea of what it is, but it has yet to be confirmed.

I also think it is interesting to see how Dimmesdale and Hester both cope with their individual guilt.
Hester was and still is constantly punished for her sins by the townspeople. In addition to being a town outcast, she must raise Pearl, the human embodiment of her sin. She will forever be reminded of what she did because of Pearl's constant presence in her life.
Dimmesdale on the other hand remains undiscovered as Pearl's father. His reputation as a man of god remains in tact and he is in no way recognized as being part of Hester's sin. The only one punishing Dimmesdale is Chillingworth in his constant proddings for information and his insinuations that Dimmesdale is not as godly as people may think and that he has something to atone for.
Then of course Dimmesdale gives life to his guilt and is thereby punishing himself for his sin. Dimmesdale is in good physical health, but his guilt is personified in his paranoia and his hypersensitivity.

One part I really found interesting was the part in Chapter 11 where Hawthorne talks about Dimmesdale and his Tongue of Flame.
"There were others, again, true saintly fathers, whose faculties had been elaborated by weary toil among their books... All that they lacked was the gift that descended upon the chosen disciples at Pentecost."
I really like this idea that Dimmesdale isn't the smartest, or bravest, or most well read of all the holy men, but he has this gift of being able to speak into people's hearts and that is what makes him so spiritually powerful and respected.
I have this idea that since Jesus had this "Tongue of Flame" power too, Hawthorne is almost comparing Dimmesdale to Christ himself. Within this comparison, I think Hawthorne is sneakily saying that Jesus, too, was a sinner, because he, too, might have had a secret lover, Mary Magdalen. So in this comparison, Dimmesdale is Jesus, Hester is Mary Magdalen, and, this is kind of a stretch, but since everyone in the town doesn't know who Pearl's father is (like baby Jesus, who had no father,) Pearl could be a representation of Christ as a child. I don't know if this loose interpretation makes sense, but I've been thinking about it recently and I think it is quite interesting.

Okay, so if Dimmesdale is Jesus, then Hawthorne is saying that deep within Jesus is guilt eating away at him. Whether this guilt be from knowing that he cannot save every human on earth, or that he had a secret lover, it makes no difference. These two spiritual men's power comes from their sin. And that is a pretty big statement on Hawthorne.

Adding to what Sarah said in class. Pearl is the person of truth in the book and then that Hester straight up lied to her. On page 163 "what does the letter mean, mother? -and why dost thou wear it?" then Hester replies with "and as for the scarlet letter, I wear it for the sake of its gold-thread." I just feel that it was very weird that Hester would not want to tell the truth to the person that stands for all truth in the book. I feel like Hester was trying to protect Pearl but i feel like Pearl would have been able to hear the truth.

Adding to what Jennifer says about the "A". It seems that people have started to respect her. "Adultery" turns into "Able". Their views on her has changed without a doubt. The main reason would be because she is kind and helps those who are sick. But the main reason why I posted this is because the "A" brands her. In the forest she is talking to Dimmsdale. Pearl could not recognize her because Hester took the letter off. I thought it was very sad when Pearl ask her mother what the "A" stood for. Page 161, "I wonder if mother will ask me what it means!" But then Pearl praises her mother as one that has taught her well. And she wanted to wear a symbol that was just like it. Hester however becomes very cautious and kind of angered of Pearl's questions. Aside form that, Hester could but does not take of the letter. I think that it is because that's her identity, that's her physical trait. That's how everyone saw her for the last seven years. But I really think that Hester keeps it because she has not forgiven herself and the fact does that does not want to forget her "sin".

I didn't have time to say this during the class discussion, but one of the things I thought was most interesting about chapters 16-19 is the way we can see the beginning of Dimmesdale's turning from a 'pure' character into an impure one who swears at people. In the forest scene, there is more Black Man imagery spoken of by Pearl, as has been happening throughout the entire book - but here, for the first time, this imagery is associated with Dimmesdale, not Chillingworth or any of the other 'impure' characters. Pearl goes on about the Black Man who is, as he has always been, in the woods, where they are now, and that people can go to the woods to meet him - but shortly after Hester and Pearl meet Dimmesdale. Pearl also pesters her mother, demanding to know if Hester has ever encountered the Black Man before, and Hester finally gives in, answering "Once in my life I met the Black Man! This letter is his mark!" The letter is, in a way, Dimmesdale's mark, the unerasable proof that he and Hester sinned together. Pearl makes more connections between Dimmesdale and the devil; when he approaches them in the forest, she asks, "Is it the Black Man?" Also, before Dimmesdale gives his speech, Pearl proudly tells a sailor that "...my father is the Prince of Air..." The Prince of Air is a phrase that Mistress Hibbins uses to refer to the devil, but we know - and perhaps Pearl does as well - that her father is really Dimmesdale.

Adding to what we said during the discussion about Pearl and how she made an "A" out of seaweed. It is really neat how curious Pearl is of her mother. She wanted to know what it meant, so she decided to construct an "A" of her own. She hopes that her mother will ask her about the letter, and Hester does inquire whether Pearl understands the meaning of the symbol on her mother's chest. They proceed to discuss the meaning of the scarlet letter, but Hester does not tell he exactly what it means but Hester says that she wears it "for the sake of its gold-thread." (pg. 163) She realizes Pearl is too young to know the truth and decides not to explain the significance of the letter to her. Pearl is persistent, though, and for the next several days she harangues her mother about the letter, always asking "What does the letter mean, mother?-and why dost thou wear it?-and why does the minister keep his hand over his heart?" (pg. 163) Pearl asks many times on what the scarlett letter means, but the only answer she is given is that Hester wears it for the sake of its "gold-thread."

One of the things I didn't get to bring up in the conversation is the whole scene where Hester calls Pearl back after talking with Dimmesdale. Pearl refuses to cross the brook. On page 187, Dimmesdale says he thinks Pearl won't cross the brook because "this brook is the boundry between two worlds, and thou canst never meet thy Pearl again." This re-states the whole theme that Pearl isn't exactly "human" and that she's above this world. We find out that Pearl won't cross the brook because Hester took off the letter and Pearl will only come when the letter is on. When Hester finally puts the letter back on, Hester asks her to come and Pearl states "Yes; now I will! Now thou art my mother indeed!" This shows that Pearl now only relates her mother to the scarlet letter, and that without it she is nobody. This makes sense, as Pearl has been raised only knowing about the scarlet letter on Hester, she doesn't know what else to think.

Another thing I find really interesting is Chapter 20, where Dimmesdale returns home through the town and runs into all the townspeople. When he meets the young girl in the street and tells her terrible things, Dimmesdale "felt potent to blight all the field of innocence with but one wicked look, and develop all its opposite with but a word." (pg. 197). We basically see that Dimmesdale has finally realized that he should be who he is and who he wants to be and not what the townspeople want him to be.

Another thing I found really interesting is Mistress Hibbins during The Procession. Now, we know Mistress Hibbins is this evil woman and is possibly the craziest character in the town, yet she is the only one who realizes Dimmesdale's guiltiness, stating "What is it that the minister seeks to hide, with his hand always over his heart?" (pg. 217). I find this really interesting and adds a new dimension to Mistress Hibbins.

I agree with Sarah W's parallel that Pearl is the embodiment of Hester, and Dimmesdale is the embodiment of Chillingworth. We see that Chillingworth's whole life revolves around Dimmesdale, and cannot live without Dimmesdale, just like Hester cannot live without Pearl.

Overall, I think the ending of the book is appropriate because the characters are always changing and developing, so I like the fact that the end can be interpreted many ways and we don't really have a definitive ending.

Hester seems to have become fairly attached to the "A".

At the beginning of chapter fourteen, she meets with Chillingworth and he says, "It was debated whether or no, with safety to the common weal, yonder scarlet letter might be taken off your bosom. On my life, Hester, I made my entreaty to the worshipful magistrate that it might be done forthwith!" This shows that the magistrate considers Hester to have made up for her sin. It is like they have forgiven her. But Hester disagrees, "It lies not in the pleasure of the magistrates to take off this badge, were I worthy to be quit of it, it would fall away of its own nature, or be transformed into something that should speak a different purpose." She has come to accept the "A" as a form of punishment and she does not think she deserves to have it be taken away. If God wanted it to go away, then He would alter it or have it go away on its own, it is not the magistrates punishment to give or to end.

Also adding to what Ben said, it seems as though the "A" has in fact transformed into something else. It no longer symbolizes "Adultery" but it now means "Able". It no longer has the negative connotations that served its initial purpose. It has changed to symbolizes something good and positive, and something that Hester can be proud of.

TBC

I like Nic’s comment on how Chillingworth is worse than Hester and she is now realizing it. “Be it sin or no, I hate the man!” (beginning of 15) She tries to remember what he was like but those memories are covered by his new character. He has become devilish and in chapter 14 he realizes it for the first time. “[He] lifted his hands with a look of horror, as if he had beheld some frightful shape…” Both Dimmesdale and Hester remark on his sin in chapter 17. “’That old man’s revenge has been blacker than my sin. He has violated, in cold blood, the sanctity of a human heart.” Chillingworth has now become much lower than Hester and Dimmsdale.
Pearl also interests me in these chapters. First, her knowledge of the connection between the scarlet letter and Dimmsdale is incredible, but she doesn’t really know what it means. I can’t decide if Hester wants to hide the truth from Pearl or if she things Pearl is too young to know about it. Perhaps she is using Pearl’s youth as an excuse to not tell Pearl. Another interesting thing about Pearl is her connections to nature. She is just like the sorrowing little brook, carrying hardness. However, Pearl has overcome her sadness and tries to cheer the brook up (chapter 16). This shows us something of Pearl’s kindness. I love the scene where Pearl is communing with the forest animals in chapter 18.

GROUP BLOG THING

Chapters 16-19 huzzah

plot: We find out that Dimmesdale is really Pearl’s father, although Pearl is not ready to accept him. Dimmesdale and Hester talk, basically for the first time since Pearl’s birth; Dimmesdale reveals the extend of his guilt over his secrets. Hester and Dimmesdale agree that they cannot continue as they have been and that they should run away together as soon as Dimmesdale’s election speech is over. During their conversation, Hester finally allows herself to throw away the red letter, although Pearl does not like this change at all and Hester must put the letter back on.

character development: The biggest development occurrs in Hester and Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale is no longer able to live with his guilt, and agrees to reveal his secret at last, and Hester allows herself some emotion besides guilt – namely, affection for Dimmesdale. For the first time, we see Dimmesdale equated with the demonic instead of the holy, as Pearl pesters her mother for stories of the Black Man who “haunts this forest”. Hester replies that “Once in my life I met the Black Man! This scarlet letter is his mark!” We also see that Pearl is uncomfortable with the absense of the letter.

setting: At first, Hester and Pearl are traveling to the forest, where the next chapters will take place. The forest is described as being dark and shadowy, and the stream which runs through it as sounding sad.

point of view: These chapters contain lots of dialogue; any of the narrative voice remains omniscient, and adds bits of everyone’s thoughts, although we do not get any direct sentences from Hawthorne himself.

symbolism/themes: There is symbolism in the way that the sun shines on Pearl, but will “never shine” on Hester; Pearl is innocent, and has a chance for a better life, but Hester is forever tainted. There is also lots of nature imagery in these chapters. We also see again the image of the Black Man, associated for the first time with Dimmesdale instead of Chillingworth.

The tone of this chapter is mostly happy and hopeful; after years of torment, Hester and Dimmesdale have agreed to hide no longer, and plan to run to somewhere they can be together. There is also ominous foreshadowing; Dimmesdale’s equation with the Black Man is not hopeful, and after Hester and Dimmesdale’s triumphant conversation the brook which runs nearby is described as more sad than it was in the beginning of the scene, as if this conversation has added to the troubles of the collective area.

The time spend in the forest was really intriguing to me, you really get to see the relief that both Dimmesdale and Hester get from those few hours. It's as though they've been waiting for the other one to acknowledge what they had, and to just admit that they've missed each other. "Thou shalt not go alone!" (pg. 179) So here we really do see that they've been missing each other and maybe even that they had more of a relationship than just one night of passion. So when Hester and Dimmesdale finally are able to simply be with one another, they both find a type of freedom that they haven't had in seven years. "...in which the burden of shame and anguish departed from her spirit." (pg. 182) The time that passes between the two of them is a stolen moment of peace and acceptance. Hester takes off the scarlet letter, lets down her hair, and seems to come alive again. We see her not only as a shadow of the person she once was, but as a vivacious person alive once again. "Her sex, her youth, and the whole richness of her beauty, came back from what men call the irrevocable place." (pg. 183) Dimmesdale also relaxes during this stolen moment. We see that he is now able to breath again and feel joy, almost as if a world which had once been black and white now blared in full color. "Do I feel joy again?" "Methought the germ of it was dead in me!" (pg. 182) So this scene really made me think and honestly feel towards the characters. Because this moment really was stolen, watching the adornment of the burdens that they had disregarded was actually painful. "As if there were a withering spell in the sad letter, her beauty, the warmth and richness of her womanhood, departed, like fading sunshine; and a gray shadow seemed to fall across her." (pg. 190)

The end of the book takes an interesting look at insanity and it’s connection to Satan and damnation through Chillingworth’s actions and behaviors. Chapter 14, Hester and the Physician, is where the 2nd half of the book starts to take off when Hester confront Roger Chillingworth. His connection to the devil is clear in “what a change had been wrought upon him… he had grown older… and seemed to retain a wiry vigor and alertness. But the former aspect of an intellectual and studious man, calm and quiet, which was what she best remembered in him, had altogether vanished, and been succeeded by an eager, searching, almost fierce, yet carefully guarded look. It seemed to be his wish and purpose to mask this expression with a smile; but the latter played him false… the spectator could see his blackness… there came a glare of red light out of his eyes; as if the old man’s soul were on fire… Chillingworth was a striking evidence of man’s faculty of transforming himself into a devil, if he will only, for a reasonable space of time, undertake a devil’s office… by developing himself, for seven years, to the constant analysis of a heart full of torture, and deriving his enjoyment thence, and adding fuel to those fiery tortures.” Which shows that Chillingworth was so obsessed with gaining revenge he lost himself and his soul to the devil. Even though he was the only character who could’ve distanced himself form the chain of events since he had no actual part in Hester and Dimmesdale’s sin and was not part of any of the repercussions of the aforementioned incident as Hawthorne expatiates near the end of the novel when he states “Chillingworth followed as one intimately connected with the drama of quilt and sorrow in which they had all been actors, and well entitled, therefore, to be present at its closing scene.” Which says that, although he was connected, he was not a part of the scene and he merely thrust himself into it just as he is doing in this scene by following Hester and Dimmesdale up the scaffold even though he doesn’t belong there. This is also another example of the insanity he suffers from due to his malignant obsession with revenge, because he is so engrossed in this that he has no other life, he has given all of himself to the devil and he cannot exist without his demonic quest to satiate his quest for revenge. Lastly, Hawthorne even states that “Chillingworth- he secret poison of his malignity, infecting all the air about him, that these bad opportunities had been turned to a cruel purpose… It’s result, on earth, could hardly fail to be insanity, and, hereafter, that eternal alienation from the Good and True, of which madness is perhaps the earthly type.”

Adding to what Jennifer says about the "A". It seems that people have started to respect her. "Adultery" turns into "Able". Their views on her has changed without a doubt. The main reason would be because she is kind and helps those who are sick. But the main reason why I posted this is because the "A" brands her. In the forest she is talking to Dimmsdale. Pearl could not recognize her because Hester took the letter off. I thought it was very sad when Pearl ask her mother what the "A" stood for. Page 161, "I wonder if mother will ask me what it means!" But then Pearl praises her mother as one that has taught her well. And she wanted to wear a symbol that was just like it. Hester however becomes very cautious and kind of angered of Pearl's questions. Aside form that, Hester could but does not take of the letter. I think that it is because that's her identity, that's her physical trait. That's how everyone saw her for the last seven years. But I really think that Hester keeps it because she has not forgiven herself and the fact does that does not want to forget her "sin".

Adding to what Jennifer says about the "A". It seems that people have started to respect her. "Adultery" turns into "Able". Their views on her has changed without a doubt. The main reason would be because she is kind and helps those who are sick. But the main reason why I posted this is because the "A" brands her. In the forest she is talking to Dimmsdale. Pearl could not recognize her because Hester took the letter off. I thought it was very sad when Pearl ask her mother what the "A" stood for. Page 161, "I wonder if mother will ask me what it means!" But then Pearl praises her mother as one that has taught her well. And she wanted to wear a symbol that was just like it. Hester however becomes very cautious and kind of angered of Pearl's questions. Aside form that, Hester could but does not take of the letter. I think that it is because that's her identity, that's her physical trait. That's how everyone saw her for the last seven years. But I really think that Hester keeps it because she has not forgiven herself and the fact does that does not want to forget her "sin".

Although Dimmesdale’s death speech is a little selfish in the sense that it brings Hester a lot of disappointment, I do feel that this is in one way at least a little good for Hester. By doing this he unconsciously or accidentally brings Hester’s ignominy and her scarlet letter once again back into the spotlight after seven years; and I do feel that some part of Hester, in perhaps a masochistic way, does like or even need the shame/respect that the letter now gives her. Over time the people have started to treat her with reverence due to her incredible dedication to her repentance and helping others, saying that the “A stands for Able.” Furthermore, this shame/respect is summed up pretty well with the Indian’s outsider view of her at the end of the story. “Even the Indians were affected by a sort of cold shadow of the white man’s curiosity, and gliding through the crowd, fastened their snake-like black eyes on Hester’s bosom; conceiving, perhaps, that the wearer of this brilliantly embroidered badge must needs be a personage of high dignity among her people.” At this moment, many people in the society are all around her watching the woman with the scarlet letter. There are a couple of examples that to me show how the attention she gets is important to her. At one point in the story Chillingworth tells Hester that she might be able to take her scarlet letter off soon, but Hester refuses this as a possibility. Furthermore, at the end of the story Hester actually does leave the society for a while with Pearl, yet she eventually comes back for some reason. I believe that this is because she realizes that this is who she is, and this is what she has become to be used to and need over the past years.

I really took interest in chapters 15-16. These chapters had a sort of magical-ness that particularly struck me, since, other than witchcraft (which was quite prominent in the setting and time of the book), The Scarlet Letter is not a very magical book. Chapters 15 and 16 basically describe enchanted forests, the relationship between Hester, Pearl, and Dimmsdale, and gives very vivid examples of imagery and symbolism.

Pearl, in chapter 15 asks Hester about "the black man", and his relation to her scarlet letter. Pearl then sees Dimmsdale emerge from the woods, and asks Hester if this man is in fact, "the black man". Hester tries to move Pearl back into the forest to play, but Pearl refuses and stays. Pearl, being young, does not understand adultery, shame, or guilt, but she does understand that Dimmsdale and Hester are linked.

I still think it's interesting how they chose the forest to meet, as it is the zone in-between one extreme: the strict, socialized, Puritan society, and the other extreme: the "wild" indian villages. The forest, then, is a good representation of "chaos", or the relationship between punishment and liberty, or any other possible extreme. I think it's interesting how the light keeps avoiding Hester, as apparently light, in The Scarlet Letter, is a symbol of truth. This suggests that Hester will never find the courage to tell "the truth" to Dimmsdale. I thought that this was a wonderful representation of symbolism and imagery in the novel.

The Scarlet Letter, Recording of Chapter 20
Peter, Alex, Ben, Justin

Dimmsdale is questioning himself whether or not he is mad, and if he is having a psychological breakdown or not. As seen on page 198, Dimmsdale says, “What is it that haunts and tempts me thus?” “Am I mad? Or am I given over utterly to the fiend? Did I make a contract with him in the forest, and sign it wit my blood? And does he now summon me to its fulfillment, by suggesting the performance of every wickedness which his most foul imagination can conceive?” This clearly shows that Dimmsdale is questioning whether or not he is driving himself into madness, or whether some being, or psychological power is driving him thus. He finds that familiar things, such as Hester, himself, and other things he once knew, to become different and strange.

Dimmsdale also knows he is about to die; as seen on page 193, Dimmsdale says, “At least, they shall say of me, that I leave no public duty unperformed, nor ill performed.” He also notes his current state of being, as seen on page 195, “I am not the man for whom you take me! I left him yonder in the forest, withdrawn into a secret dell, by a mossy tree-trunk, and near a melancholy brook! Go seek your minister, and see if his emaciated figure, his thin cheek, his white, heavy, pain-wrinkled brow, be not flung down there, like a cast-off garment!” He quotes himself on page 197 as a “lost desperate man.”

In his sickness, Dimmsdale tells Chillingworth that he has no more need of his drugs and help. Chillingworth is scared; he thinks that Dimmsdale knows his real identity, but is afraid to ask him. Also in his sickness, Dimmsdale walks through town yelling nasty comments at passer-bys. He yells out at a older woman, “unanswerable argument against the immortality of the human soul.” He then proceeds to completely ignore a younger townswoman who he converted to the church. He passes a group of small children who he teaches “wicked words”.

From chapter 12 to the end of the book, many things have happened. The most important of which, I believe, were the forest meeting between Dimmesdale, Hester, and Pearl, the idea of going back to Europe, and finally when Dimmesdale dies on the scaffold. The forest meeting is very important, because it reveals Dimmesdale’s and Hester’s feelings for each other and for themselves, and also it spawns the idea of going back to Europe. Dimmesdale at one point says “I must die here! There is not the strength or courage left me to venture into the wild, strange, difficult world alone.” However, Hester refuses to leave him alone, “Thou shalt not go alone.” Next they figure out their idea to go to Europe. Their idea is amazing, because it would get them both away from Chillingworth and they will be able to live in peace and harmony. Hester suggests “Then there is the borad pathway of the sea! It brought thee hither. If thou so choose, it will bear thee back again. In our native land, whether in some remote rural village or in vast London, or, surely, in Germany, in France, in pleasant Italy…” Finally at the end, Dimmesdale dies on the scaffold in front of the entire town and next to both Hester and Pearl. I find this interesting considering at one point Dimmesdale said he should just die alone, and Hester says she will stay with him, and now he dies in front of everyone and Hester keeps her promise by being with him at his death.

Another theme in the Scarlet Letter that I've found quite interesting is a Fire vs. Water theme. "'Look your last on the scarlet letter and its wearer!' --the people's victim might say to them... 'A few hours longer, and the deep mysterious ocean will quench and hide forever the symbol which ye have caused to burn upon my bosom!'" This theme can be seen on a couple of levels. On one level fire and passion are deeply connected as is water and calmness and tranquility. Then the sinners and products of sin (Hester, Pearl, and Dimmesdale) are all described multiple times as being fire (just even the color Pearl and Hester wear -Scarlet- is a visual representation of fire within them.) On the opposite, water is described, multiple times, as the cure for their passionate fires and the physical representation of inner peace and tranquility.

One example of this Fire/Water theme that I was interested in was when Dimmesdale returns to his study and finding his prepared speech, thrusts it into the fire. "Then, flinging the already written pages of the Election Sermon into the fire, he forthwith began another, which he wrote with such an impulsive flow of thought and emotion, that he fancied himself inspired." When Dimmesdale does this, he burns the remains of his weaken state and he, with a new burning passion, writes his new Sermon, which in time, will be a masterpiece.

From the beginning of the book the characters have dramatically changed even from page to page the characters end up changing. From the beginning of the book Hester had a lot of anger and hatred, which made her an outcast, silent and introverted. Pearl was her only family but she uses the pearl to get out her emotions, because she doesn’t have anyone else she constantly is angry at pearl. After all this time the scarlet letter becomes an honorary thing so slowly she can’t live without the Scarlet letter and it becomes part of her. Although it may be a constant stress she can’t survive without it. I think their characters really start to change as Hester makes the decision to go and tell Dimsdale the truth. At this point she throws away her stress and all the hatred to go and do good for the first time. She more or less blames him for what he did, and he agrees but she may have blamed him she is determined to make the right decision. “Were I worthy to be quit of it, it would fall away of its own nature, or be transformed into something that should seek a different purport”. This mean that she did it because of him but if she could have done it again she wouldn’t have done what she had, but the way things went was the way she wanted it to be. She is no longer in love with Chillingworth and now thoroughly in love with him and she is happy to have pearl. When Hester enters the forest her personality begins to dramatically change. The first thing that shows that she is changing when she admits to have meeting the devil or the black man one time. “Oh a story about the Black Man.” “. …and How this ugly black man offers this book and an iron pen to everybody who meets him among the trees; and their able to write their names with their own blood.” “ Once in my life I met the Black Man!” said her mother. “ The Scarlet letter is his mark.” She finally tells pearl something in reality and not ignore her or tell her to be quiet. As soon as Hester sees Dimsdale her personality changes she goes from being a scary and quiet to being happy and good. To the end of the book Dimsdales dies and her personality returns to the exact as it had been.

Chapters 14 and 15- Aaron, Sarah, Nic, Nathan J.

Plot
During this section Hester tells Chillingworth that she’ll tell Dimmesdale about his malevolent and evil nature. Hester also blames herself for chillingworth’s inner vindictiveness. Hester tells Chillingworth that honesty will set him free and lead him out of his mental labyrinth of pain and agony. Also at this part of the story, Chillingworth looks at himself and realizes how bad he has become, “The unfortunate physician…lifted his hands with a look of horror… usurping the place of his own image in a glass.” (Page 155, Chapter 14).
In chapter 15, Hester is thinking about chillingworth and realizes “he has done me worse wrong than I have done him”. Hester realizes that while she and dimmesdale were sinning against god, Chillingworth is sinning against people and thus causing physical and mental harm. Also in this chapter we agains see pearle as the voice of truth, “It is for the same reason that the minister keeps his hand over his heart!” (Page 161, Chapter 15). In this chapter Hester asks Pearle if she knows what the “A” means. Pearle answers no, but when she asks Hester to tell her Hester’s reaction is one of shock and secrecy.

Characters
In this section Hester realizes that while she is partly to blame for Chillingworth’s actions, he has gone beyond what she can be faulted for. Chillingworth is a static character and Hester is dynamic.

Setting
The scenery in this section is very foreboding because when you look out at sea you can see the storms rolling in which is mirrored in the conflict between Hester and Chillingworth.

One thing that I found interesting was in chapter 16, when Pearl tells her mother that "the sunshine does not love you... because it is afraid of something on your bosom. It will not flee from me, for I wear nothing on my bosom yet!" I found this interesting because Pearl seems to think that in time she too will wear a scarlet letter. This clearly shows that Pearl does not fully understand the scarlet letter's meaning, and should rid Hester of her fear that Pearl knows of her sin. I also found it interesting that the sunshine runs from Hester and her sin, but doesn't do the same thing to Pearl, who is the product of that sin.

The connection between Hester and the letter A is incredible and evolves as much as any of the characters through out the book. In the beginning Hester is ashamed and tries to cover up to the A with Pearl when they are standing on the scaffolding in The Market Place. As the years go by and Pearl becomes more fascinated with the letter especially since she is the human embodiment of it Hester's reaction towards it changes it's meaning from adultery to able like Kelsey said. In the end of the book she goes back to the cottage and back to the letter because that is all she has left in her life that reminds her of the event that changed her life so drastically since Dimmesdale and Chillingworth are dead and Pearl appears to have a child and is potentially married. Since she is Hester's daughter though you don't know for sure that she is married, she could have become like her mother but not have the scandal or moved to a place where people don't know her so it wouldn't have been an issue like it was for Hester.

The Scarlet Letter Chapters 21-22

Plot: There is a festival-like spirit with the people in the marketplace. We learn that Roger Chillingworth is going on the ship with Hester, Pearl, and Dimmesdale. After, we see the parade and Dimmesdale gives his sermon, and everyone is amazed, but the reader never actually hears the sermon.

Characters: Pearl is really happy. Hester is sad and worried about Dimmesdale. “At the final hour, when she was so soon to fling aside the burning letter, it had strangely become the center of more remark and excitement and was thus made to sear her breast more painfully then at any time since the first day she put it on.” (Page 221.) Dimmesdale is happy and energetic; he is not himself and is too excited about life. Mistress Hibbins is foretelling that something is going to happen to Dimmesdale. This gives us a view into Puritan life; the rank of the people was based on age, not necessarily the intelligence level.

Setting: In the town marketplace.

Point of View: The author is narrating the story.

Symbolism: When Hester is alone, and Mistress Hibbins appears, it is almost good and evil meeting one on one.

Themes: Chillingworth is going to attempt to follow Dimmesdale everywhere; they cannot live without one another. Chillingworth is to Dimmesdale as Pearl is to Hester because their guilt follows them everywhere. Pearl and the Seamen are very similar also, they both don’t follow society’s rules, they are wild, and they are outcasts.

The relationship between Dimmesdale and Chillingworth has grown to be very unhealthy. It also almost seems as though Chillingworth is to Dimmesdale as Pearl is to Hester because everywhere Dimmesdale and Hester go, they are reminded of their sin. Whether it is a reminder worn on the outside by Hester, or an internal guilt like Dimmesdale, it affects them brutally. I feel like they suffer equally because while Hester is forced to wear her mark of sin on the outside, she has Pearl along her side that loves her. Dimmesdale, however, cannot tell anyone about his sin and has a “leech” that has a life goal of attempting to reveal the truth and seek revenge. Dimmesdale says “Happy are you, Hester, that wear the scarlet letter openly on your bosom! Mine burns in secret!” (Page 173.) This shows just how much Dimmesdale internally suffers, and it could possibly show that he is suffering more than Hester. Then after the truth is revealed to Dimmesdale about Hester and Chillingworth’s marriage, he comments “Had I one friend-or were it my worst enemy!-to whom, when sickened with the praises of all other men, I could daily betake myself, and be known as the vilest of all sinners, methinks my soul might keep itself alive thereby.” (Page 173.)