Written by: bigmike
Aug. 25 2001 Chapter 1 Pages 49-50 1. Chapter one thoroughly describes the Jailhouse and the surrounding landscape. Tells of the huge wooden edifices whose threshold is timbered and iron barred. Gives the description of the peoples clothing who were congregating outside of the prison. It also describes the necessity of a new colony first building a prison and graveyard. In the last paragraph it tells of a rose bush outside of the oaken doors. The author describes the awkwardness of having such a beautiful plant surrounded by weeds and shrubs.
2. (Page 50) The rose-bush, by a strange chance, has been kept alive in history; but whether it had merely survived out of the stern old wilderness, so long after the fall of the gigantic pines and oaks that originally overshadowed it, --or whether, as there is fair authority for believing, it had sprung up under the footsteps of the sainted Anne Hutchinson, --we shall not take upon us to determine. I believe these lines are important because they illustrate some of the mythology of the times in which this book was set. The author also goes on to describe how this rose bush could symbolize two different things depending on the readers perspective; A tale of morals blossoming; or a tale of human frailty and sorrow.
3. I think chapter one should have been more obvious to the setting and time frame in which the story takes place. By text one assumes it is set in a new colony in early American history, however it should give a precise time in my opinion. Hawthorne does an excellent job of helping the reader visualize the story and is able to present a question of opinion in the first chapter, which shows great writing skills.
4. The first chapter reminds me of Where The Red Fern Grows. The rose bush that is mentioned briefly has much to do with the story even though there is little reference to it. In WTRFG the fern is actually not so much part of the story as an idea represented through a physical inanimate object, as I believe the rose bush to be. Later in the novel Pearl says she came from the rose bush by the prison door, that shows her beauty and resilience as a comparison to an object unable to show emotion.
Aug. 25, 2001 Chapter 2 Pages 51 to 61 1. This chapter gives a little more setting of the town describing the short journey from the jail to the scaffold and town center. This is also where Hester’s crime is commented on by the town’s people whom think that her punishment is too lenient for her crime. Hester is led to the scaffold by the town beadle and placed upon it with her crying infant and elegant gown embroidered in the bosom with a scarlet letter “A”.
2. (Page 59) The witnesses of Hester Prynne’s disgrace had not yet passed beyond their simplicity. They were stern enough to look upon her death, had that been the sentence, without a murmur at it s severity, but had none of the heartlessness of another social state, which would find only a theme for jest in an exhibition like the present. I find these lines to be of great importance because it illustrates the towns seriousness on the issue of moral, religion, and law. They would look at her being hanged had that been the sentence but noon were heartless enough to ridicule her as she stood upon the scaffold with her infant, the shame of her crime, in her arms. That shows that the townspeople do care and have the morals not to insult a person that is already marked for life with shame in the form of an “A”.
3. It would be interesting to witness one of these town humiliations or any other town punishments, as now it is not customary for a person’s crimes to be announced to the public unless he or she has the misfortune of being famous. It makes me wonder why we ever strayed from that form of law. People would not so quickly commit crimes especially juveniles if they were to be marked for life and publicly humiliated for it.
8. The people standing outside of the jail in the first chapter who were arguing over if her punishment fit the crime only looked on in a stern silence as Hester was brought to the scaffold. Whether it was in respect for the people of high rank who were attending, the child’s well being, or that they were actually decent people is for the reader to decide. If the crowd had reacted differently Hester would have put up a shield and reflect the negative thoughts instead of feel the full bluntness of their pain.
Aug. 25, 2001 Chapter 3 Pages 62-72 1. This chapter contains the whole of Hester’s punishment from the time she stands upon the scaffold. The stranger on the outskirts who takes her attention and thoughts from her surroundings for a brief moment. When the stranger inquires to a town’s person as to the reason of Hesters’ current blight. This chapter also illustrates Hester’s bold defiance and stubbornness when the Reverend Dimmesdale questions her as to the identity of her lover.
2. (Page 71) “Never!” replied Hester Prynne, looking, not at Mr. Wilson, but into the deep and troubled eyes of the younger clergyman. “It is too deeply branded. Ye cannot take it off. And would that I might endure his agony, as well as mine!” This once again shows Hesters strong willed defiance even in her given position when any lesser person would have choose to suffer not alone, but by the side of their lover. When she looks not at Mr. Wilson and instead fixes her hard, lonesome gaze upon Dimmesdale, it makes the reader ponder if their was a previous relationship between Hester and Dimmesdale, or if it was merely the only place she could look and stay sure of what she was saying.
3. The governor and clergymen tried to get the truth out of Hester by a barrage of questioning in a demeaning manner, however she never responded with an answer only reasons as to why she wouldn’t answer. This chapter rises more questions about new topics such as; who was the stranger on the outskirts of the town; why did Hester look at Dimmesdale instead of Reverend Wilson; and will she ever disclose the identity of her lover. I hope that Hawthorne will answer some of his questions before he creates even more. I think that under the circumstances Hester’s lover should have stepped forward had he been any kind of man. If that means his reputation and career is destroyed then so be it, but to leave the mother of the child and the woman whom you loved to suffer alone is a cold thing to do.
7. Hawthorne’s writing here in my opinion resembles that of Quentin Tarentino. Tarentino was the director of movies like Pulp Fiction, and Reservoir Dogs. All of his movies jump from scene to scene so you have to watch the whole thing to under stand what happens first in the movie. Often characters will be new throughout his movie some characters may start in the movie but their role may not be explained until half way thorough it. It is like this book in the sense that questions keep arising and people do things that make you wonder why, and new characters arrive and you don’t know who they truly are or what they intend to do until later in the chapter or maybe even the next chapter.
Aug. 25, 2001 Chapter 4 Pages 73-80 1. The man on the outskirts is described as being Hester’s ex-husband Chillingworth. He is a doctor that is sent to give the infant some medicine to calm her down, and Hester some to tell the truth. He tells her his vow to find the man and asks her not to tell anyone of his own relationship with her. She refuses even to the man she was once married to reveal the secret of her lover’s name. He leaves after telling her he wishes to remain nameless and having her promise not to tell his secret to the public.
2. “Thy acts are like mercy,” said Hester, bewildered and appalled. “But thy words interpret thee as a terror!” “One thing, thou that wast my wife, I would enjoin upon thee,” continued the scholar. “Thou hast kept the secret of thy paramour. Keep, likewise, mine! These lines show the hypocrisy of Chillingworth when he wants to know who Hesters lover is but does not want anyone to know he had a relationship with her. The relationship between Hester and Chillingworth will develop the story more and waiting to see if he can keep his vow and “unmask” her secret.
3. Hester’s ex-husband entering the scene is a shocker that was never expected. She was already in enough trouble due to her current relationships with men now
6. “Why dost thou smile so at me?” “Art thou like the Black Man that haunts the forest round about us? Hast thou enticed me into a bond that will prove the ruin of my _______soul?” “Not thy soul,” he answered, with another smile. “No, not thine!”
This conversation shows the poetic side of the author and his ability to verbalize emotion and mental states as well as any other. It also does a great job to depict the relationship a divorced couple can show each other after many years.
Aug. 25, 2001 Chapter 5 Pages 81-91 1. Hester was free from prison and allowed to leave the town if she wanted but choose not to. She got a house on the outskirts with her daughter. Hawthorne tells of Hesters occupation of a seamstress. Hester makes garments for the wealthiest people for all different sorts of special occasions. The only event for which she is not permitted or wanted to make dress for is weddings.
2. (Page 84) Here, she said to herself, had been the scene of her guilt, and here should be the scene of her earthly punishment; and so, perchance, the torture of her daily shame would at length purge her soul, and work out another purity that that which she had lost; more saint-like, because the result of martyrdom. Hester Prynne, therefore, did not flee. These lines are important as once again the author attempts to greatly emphasize Hester’s moral courage, and tenacity. Hawthorne throughout this novel thus far has greatly put that strong emphasis on Hester’s character traits. I think this novel, or in my point of view, is less about sin and evil as it is about the strength of a young single woman. A modern story set in the 16th century, which demonstrates that problems have not changed over the years and we are yet to become the masters of our souls.
3. I am still at this point trying to figure out what the main point Hawthorne is trying to get across is. I do enjoy reading such fine literature and being able to learn more about life in the 16th century and the uncanny resemblance that it has to modern life with an odd twist. I would like to ask Hawthorne, had he not died in 1864, if his writing this story in such detail and ability to verbalize the emotion if it had happened to him or been part of his life.
4. Adultery is a major issue today as it was many years ago. In this book only Hester pays for the crime that two people committed. Today it is rare that two people will pay for the crime of adultery. More often than not one person will take the blunt of the punishment while even if their accomplice admits to it they will suffer little or no consequence for their crime. Have we gotten to a place in our lives where it is no longer a serious offense to be unfaithful? When did we stray from punishing both members of a guilty party? Take the Senator Condit issue of even the previous President’s unfaithfulness to his wife. One person is paying the price for what two did. Chandra and Hillary are the ones being hurt not any body else.
August 28, 2001 Chapter 6 Pages 93-102 1. Pearl is discussed about more thoroughly and in detail of her personality, spirituality, and behavior. Hawthorne often refers to Pearl in terms of magical items or spells rather than that of a person. She is referred to as a gift of god, a magical sprite, a fairy, an imp, elfish, and as coming from the rose bush, later in the story. Her name’s origin is told as having come not from the dull beauty of a pearl but rather from its expensive rarity. In the end of the chapter when Hester says, “Tell me, then, what thou art, and who sent thee hither.” Pearl questions her mother as to where she came from and who is her father.
2. (Page 100)…she fancied that she beheld, not her own miniature portrait, but another face, in the small black mirror of Pearl’s eye. It the semblance of features that she had known full well, though seldom with a smile, and never with malice in them. It was as if an evil spirit possessed the child, and had just then peeped forth in mockery. These lines help the read encompass the sheer magic that surrounds Pearl at any given moment. She is not seen so much as a person but as something more than any person on the earth could ever be. It shows how her mother views her daughter as something foreign and has doubts to herself that she could have created something magical from her sins.
3. Pearl through the description provided by Hawthorne reminds me very much of one of my lovely little sisters. Isabella my sister has the same tendencies like she has something going on in her world that makes everything around her okay. She dances with happiness in a truly a way that she must have learned from the fairies. I find the resemblance remarkable, how the first time I read the chapter she was the only thing I could think of. I envision not a separate character for Pearl, but when I think of Pearl I see my sister. They both are young, beautiful, unaware of the evils life holds, but are slightly sure that something is not right in the world unable to decide what it is.
4. Many of the descriptions Hawthorne uses to describe Pearl’s physical appearance and her emotional state are not that would usually be used to describe some one in that era. Elves, imps, and other mystical things were believed of in that time, however it was seldom that any person acquired these traits. They really add a true understanding of the free spirit that Pearl held. She was a child created by sin but let to live her own life and learn from her own mistakes not the ones her mother made. It helps you get a more emotional understanding of Pearls position. When you visualize something of that nature it is not a description you are soon to forget and I believe that is what makes Pearl unique.
August 28, 2001 Chapter 7 Pages 103-110 1. Hester and Pearl go to the house of the governor to deliver a pair of gloves and speak with him on the issue of Hester’s keeping Pearl. On the way they cross the path of some local children who begin to insult and fling mud at them. Agitated, Pearl goes after them with a scourge that frightens them away. When they reach the house Pearl inquires as to why she cannot have all the sunshine that makes the house glisten to be hers to do as she wishes. When they are let in the look around the house awaiting the governor who is entertaining guests. Pearl sees a rose bush in the beautiful garden that was hid behind the edifice in which the governor lived, not visible from the street.
2. (Page109-110) “Mother,” cried she, “I see you here. Look! Look!” Hester looked, by way of humoring ther child; and she saw that, owning to the peculiar effect of this convex mirror the scarlet letter was represented in exaggerated and gigantic proportions, so as to be greatly the most prominent feature of her appearance. In trust, she seemed absolitley hidden behind it. Pearl pointed upward, also, at a similar picture in the headpiece; was so familiar an empression on her small physiognomy. That look of naught merriment was likewise reflected in the mirror, with so much breadth and intensity of effect that it made Hester Prynne feel as if it could not be the image of her own child, but of an imp who was seeking to mould itself into Pearl’s shape. These lines show that Pearl is very much aware of the “A” but still does not really know as to why it is on her mother’s bosom. She points it out not in a disdainful way but playfully. If she understood fully what it meant she would probably not have pointed it out. That shows that through her “elfish intelligence” she is still a naive child. Hester once again is reminded of her sin and once again sees her daughter not as a person but as something of magical influence and divine creativity not the offspring of a sinful relationship.
3. Once again a rose bush is mentioned which shows the importance that it still plays in the novel even though it is menial. When Pearl sees the garden that is the only plant that she mentions and screams that she wants one and desires one to the point of screaming until she sees the governor and his guests approaching. The first time I read this I did not think too much of the rose bush in chapter one rather than that of Hawthorne’s excellent attention to detail. Now I see that it will be of great importance as in reference to Pearl and a way to show beauty through pain.
August 28, 2001 Chapter 8 Pages 111-120 1. In this chapter it is Hester’s ability as a good mother who could raise a decent child in this Puritan society is questioned. The governor and his guests enter the room in which Hester and young Pearl await them and when they see her are in awe at her beauty, youth, and the magic about her. When they see her mother they divert their attention to the bearer of the scarlet letter. They put not only mother but child as well through questioning before deciding that Pearl is on a good path and will learn from her mother’s mistakes. Pearl is allowed to return home with her mother.
2. (Pages 115-117) …the child finally announced that 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…Old Roger Chillingworth, with a smile on his face, whispered something in the young clergyman’s ear…She met his eyes for an instant, but was immediately constrained to giver all her attention to the scene now going forward…and here, by a sudden impulse, she turned to the young clergyman, Mr. Dimmesdale, at whom, up to this moment, she had seemed hardly so much as once to direct her eyes.—“Speak thou for me!” cried she… “There is truth in what she says,” began the minister…the truth in what Hester says, and in the feeling which inspires her! God gave her the child, and gave her, too, an instinctive knowledge of its nature and requirements…that no other mortal being can possess. This passage shows the relationship between Dimmesdale and Hester that once prospered before her confinement behind the mark of her sin. He tried to defend Pearl when asked to be Hester and that shows that he had a relationship with her unlike the governor. Chillingworth being there and asking the Reverend to speak to the child shows his suspicion of Dimmesdale’s relationship with Hester as he continues to strive and uncover the mystery of her lover.
3. First time Chillingworth has really been mentioned since the first three chapters. The bond between Hester and the Reverend becomes substantially more evident through their dialogue. Once again the rose bush is mentioned which shows my thoughts were correct when I said earlier that it would be a reoccurring them throughout the novel. I once again commend Hawthorne on his exquisite writing and I do believe he has written the greatest love mystery of all time.
7. It describes Dimmesdale of looking older and more weary than he did earlier in the novel. It is showing that he is under either physical stress or mental anguish of some sort. He is referred to as the young minister so it leads one to eliminate the earlier and convict ones self in the later. This is also showing he is starting to crack he no longer carries the fierceness he carried in the begging of Hester’s initial questioning. He is starting to crack and Chillingworth is getting closer to finding the identity of Hester’s secret lover.
August 28, 2001 Chapter 9 Pages 121-132 1. Great pains are taken to evaluate and describe Roger Chillingworth’s past as a physician and learned man. It tells of his ability to heal and make potions using herbs and roots. Chillingworth moves in with the Reverend in an attempt to be able to scrutinize him at every moment and attempt to diagnose all problems with him whether they be physical or mental. By the careful examination through which Dimmesdale is being subjected to the reader might infer as to if Chillingworth’s suspicions had lead him to the Reverend. Dimmesdale’s sickness is getting worse and he is losing more of himself each week. The town started to spread rumor that Chillingworth was not a doctor or esteemed gentleman but a demon or curse sent from Lucifer to haunt the Reverend in his life and make him worse off.
2. (Page 132) Alas! To judge from the gloom and terror in the depths of the poor minister’s eyes, the battle was a sore one, and the victory anything but secure. This passage shows the Reverends turmoil and despair, his inability to admit to or cope with his past. Dimmesdale is getting sicker and more and more tired of fighting. He wants to release the demons but knows not how to without destroying his livelihood.
3. Guilt is an overwhelming feeling and that is merely one of the morals, which this novel depicts through excellent articulation of emotions. Dimmesdale’s guilt is so overwhelming that he is physically decomposing into a state of uselessness and constant despair. Through the torture Chillingworth is inflicting and that which he is inflicting upon himself Dimmesdale cannot handle it.
4. Hawthorne’s excellent depiction of emotions and his ability to instill emotions in the reader without directly stating them is awesome. It reminds me much of movies such as Gone with the Wind and Pearl Harbor. Both of these movies evoked great emotions from within the persons viewing them and you could feel the pain, suffering, and triumphs that the characters felt.
August 28, 2001 Chapter 10 Pages
1. The relationship between the young clergyman and the doctor increases into a friendship. They spend much time together in each other’s studies conversing on many aspects of life. Chillingworth finally confronts the Reverend and tells him he believes his sickness to be spiritually rather than some illness of the mortal world. They discuss this after talking about the grave from which the herbs Chillingworth was examining came from and how pitiful it would be to die with some secret in your heart that you could not rest peacefully after death. Seeing Hester and Pearl pass by the window was also a reason for the conversation. In the end of the chapter Chilling worth sees Dimmesdale’s chest and finally uncovers the identity of Hester’s lover.
2. (Page 141) “No! —Not to thee! —Not to an earthly physician!” cried Mr. Dimmesdale, passionately, and turning his eyes, full and bright, and with a kind of fierceness, on old Roger Chillingworth. “Not to thee! But, if it be the soul’s disease, then do I commit myself to the one Physician of the soul!…But who are thou, that meddlest in this matter?—that dares thrust himself between the sufferer and his God?”…Had a man seen old Roger Chillingworth, at that moment of his ecstasy, he would have had no need to ask how Satan comports himself when a precious human soul is lost to heaven, and won into his kingdom. But what distinguished the physician’s ecstasy from Satan’s was the trait of wonder in it! This is probably one of the most important chapters in the book. All suspicions of the Reverends guilt are confirmed in this chapter. This section dictates when the leech asks Dimmesdale to reveal his soul’s secrets to him and later his reaction when he learns that his suspicions are correct. No longer is there a question to the biggest mystery of the novel; it is now known who the father of Pearl is.
3. Now we all know the truth more than that of a hunch. It was confirmed all suspicions are now proven. We now have finally uncovered the identity of Hester’s lover. It makes me wonder how if his identity was uncovered so early in the novel what the second half holds in store for us to wonder at, and question.
8. Now it is known who Hester’s lover is. Chillingworth and Dimmesdale’s relationship was hurt when Chillingworth confronted Dimmesdale as to his suspicion, which will put strain on their relationship. Now Chillingworth knows the truth he may come out and let the public know who the other trespasser was or he may very well keep it to himself. I think all the relationships will be strained from here on in now that everyone knows the truth but is afraid to speak of it.
August 28, 2001 Chapter 11 Pages 144-151 1. In this chapter the doctor tries to decide how he will use his new found knowledge of the secrets Dimmesdale holds within the confines of his heart. It also discusses in great detail the Reverends social standing and the reverence the public holds for him. He contemplates what would happen if he ever told his congregation the truth about his relationship with Hester Prynne. Dimmesdale was undergoing a severe internal conflict the likes of which would be impossible to conceive. He was trying to decide as to whether he should give the public the information he had been withholding for all these years.
2. (Page 151) The only truth that continued to give Mr. Dimmesdale a real existence on this earth was the anguish in his inmost soul, and the undissembled expression of it in his aspect. Had he once found power to smile, and wear a face of gayety, there would have been no such man! This passage literates Dimmesdale’s inner struggle with the truth and trying to decide if he should let it out. He wants to relieve it, if only so he could die peacefully and leave this earth to a better place. He is tired, old, and ready to move on from the past and clean his soul.
3. Dimmesdale has broken and is ready to tell his secret to the world. He no longer has the wish to confine his secret to the depths of his own soul, he is ready to move on down the road of life but first the roadblock of guilt must be lifted. I think if Dimmesdale would have confessed in the begging he would not be going through as much turmoil as he is now. He could have moved on with his life yet he chose not to.
August 28, 2001 Chapter 12 Pages 152-164 1. Dimmesdale stands upon the scaffold trying to deal with his guilt when many odd occurrences happen. Hester and Pearl approach and climb to stand next to him on the scaffold after a flash of light illuminating in the form of an “A” in the sky makes him visible to the pair. They stand and talk, Pearl asks the reverend to stand upon the scaffold tomorrow at noonday, however he refuses. Chillingworth approaches and escorts him home. He has the most inspirational sermon ever the next day at the conclusion of which a sextant says he left his glove on the scaffold to which he replies he never saw the flash of light, and that the devil stole his glove.
2. (Page 158) “Minister!” whispered little Pearl. “What wouldst thou say child?” asked Mr. Dimmesdale. “Wilt thou stand here with mother and me tomorrow noontide?” inquired Pearl. “Nay; not so, my little Pearl,” answered the minister; for with the new energy of the moment all the dread of public exposure, that had so long been the anguish of his life, had returned upon him; he was already trembling at the conjunction in which with a strange joy, nevertheless—he now found himself. “Not so, my child. I shall, indeed, stand with thy mother and thee, one other day, but not tomorrow.” In this section Dimmesdale tells Pearl he is not yet ready to reveal to the public his misdeeds. He feels remorse just not enough yet to admit to his wrong doings. The much waited for confession is still yet to come.
3. Dimmesdale is a coward, unfit to be the father of the child or the love of a woman’s life. He denies his child the right to call him father and his love easement of her pains. He should confess to his crime, take the punishment and become a father and husband to those he is afraid to love. How he can turn down the plea of his daughter to her face? I will never know.