Week 1: Narration After reading the introduction of "Scarlet Letter" the narrator is introduced but his name is never once mentioned. He stays nameless throughout the first 50 pages of the introduction. Although the narrator is never named he displays multiple of the same qualities of Nathan Hawthorne, even though it can seem at points the narrator and Hawthorne are the same person, you have to keep the two storytellers separate. Not only does the narrator relate to Nathan Hawthorne himself but also to the main character Hester, why do you think that Hawthorne incorporated so many of his own qualities into his main character?
I think the author incorporated so many of his own qualities into the main character because it creates a sense of reality in the character. The character begins to seem less like a fictional concept and more of a relatable human type figure. This creates a sense of further engagement between the reader and the novel.
In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the narrator uses a formal diction that holds a neutral tone to the gathering of people outside of the heavy oak door of the prison. The setting is in a gloomy crowd of people who are gathered to watch the release of the Hester, with her new decor of the scarlet A to display her adultery. When the narrator describes the setting he does not show much emotion in his word choice, "Certain it is, that, some fifteen or twenty years after the settlement of the town, the wooden jail was already marked with weather-stains and other indications of age, which gave a yet darker aspect to its beetle-browned and gloomy front"( Hawthorne 45). The use of large descriptive words creates the sense of formality and establishes the importance of this event, but the words do not show a swaying opinion to the love or hatred or anger of what is happening arouond him.
This scene of the jail, I feel is extremely important because it sets up the reader for Hester, the main character to come out. A jail is commonly thought of as dark and gloomy, but the exact detail of how old the jail is and how it has aged gives the reader evidence that the jail may not be used often by this town. The jail proves how religious and against sin this community because the jail is not taken care of.
I would also agree with Libby's interpretation of the jail scene. I think it saids a lot to the standards the town has for the people living in Salem. Hester seems to be the only girl to have committed adultery which says a lot about the town. A jail is usually known for people to go to when they have committed a crime and no one in today' society would have ever gone to jail for committing adultery but with the towns expectations so high for everyone Hester is put into jail and looked down upon by everyone. I think the diction used in this scene helps portray that disappointed of the people and the importance of religion in the town of Salem
Week 1: Supernatural Once Hester comes out with the scarlet letter the reader sees this perspective of the letter as supernatural, "It had the affect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations her out of the ordinary relations with humanity and enclosing her in a sphere by herself" (Hawthorne 46). The spell put on the letter takes her out of ordinary life in her community making her stand out. Hester did make the scarlet letter herself, which makes the reader question who the spell on the letter affects. This spell not only seems to be affecting Hester, but also the town because she will be a constant reminder of sin in their community.
For a punishment that is supposedly religiously justified, do you find it odd that Hawthorne uses the word "spell," commonly associated with the supernatural and witchcraft to describe its effect?
Week 1: Forgiveness From the beginning of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Hester is immediately judged from her entire community. It seems as though no one had ever committed a sin, except one woman didn't see Hester as a completely bad person;"Ah, but," interposed, more softly, a young wife, holding a child by the hand, "let her cover the mark as she will, the pang of it will be always in her heart" (Hawthorne 43). The reader doesn't know much about this woman, but it makes us question why she sticks up for Hester. Could she have possible committed a similar sin? This may prove the community to be sinful just as Hester is.
I also found this to be interesting as well, I think Nataniel Hawthorne is setting up something to happen as we continue to read on. I think the town shunning Hester and making her wear the letter A is an important motif of religion and just how important religion is. In the bible sinning is always preached as a horrible thing and something you should never commit but in reality everyone sins, so why is Hester the only girl to ever to do something wrong and get looked down upon?
I as well found this behavior as sort of an abstract idea because the woman went against the social norms of society and broke the religious concepts by supporting her. I think Hester is not the only girl who did this, but I don't think the woman was someone who committed the crime, but more of someone who thinks that the way society treats her is morally wrong.
Week 2: Fate Through Dimmesdale wanting Hester to reveal the secret, the reader is able to understand a deeper understanding of his character; "He himself, on the other hand, with characteristic humility, avowed his belief that if Providence should see fit to remove him, it would be because of his own unworthiness to perform its humblest mission here on earth"( Hawthorne 109). Dimmesdale believes he has no control over anything. The future of his life, work and death are completely out of his control. This I believe is why he begs Hester to reveal the secret. His belief that he is not in control of his future shows his innocence on how he can't take any of his actions for himself. What other possibilities would Dimmesdale want Hester to reveal the secret?
Week 2: Alienation Hester has been freed from jail in Boston and decides to stay in the town of Boston and continue her everyday life while also raising her daughter Pearl. Hester has the opportunity to move freely and start over a new life and not have to face the humiliation of wearing the Scarlet letter and having people judge her for her sin for the rest of her life. "Free to return to her birthplace, or to any other european land, and there hide her character and identify under a new exterior, as completely as if emerging into another state of being," ( Hawthorne 73). Hester has a chance to make a difference in not only her life but also her daughter's life giving her the opportunity to live a normal life and have friends, but instead Hester decided to stay in Boston and live with her consequences and sin she made. Both Hester and Pearl are alienated from everyone else in town and their own companionship is each other. Why do you think Hester made this decision for both herself and Pearl?
I believe Hester stays in Boston because her husband is also in Boston, and despite the fact that she committed a sin against him, he still displays some interest in her. He came to her release from prison, and made note to disguise himself, but still be noticeable to her. I think this shows maybe a sense of forgiveness from him onto her because he came to Boston awhile after she had. He sees that she has done wrong, but possibly also understands what happened could of happened because she was lonely.
Not only does the fact that Hester committed adultery demonstrate the religious beliefs of many, but when she has to stand in front of the crowd for a period of time and be publicly shamed by the three men, it alludes to the Adam and eve story. Hester's husband speaks to a random townsmen about what is happening with Hester, and the townsman says, "Preadventure the guilty one stands looking on at this sad spectacle, unknown of man, and forgetting that God sees him"(Hawthorne 58). This concept of not knowing that God is watching, alludes to Adam and Eve not thinking that God saw them when they were hiding from him after they were stripped naked for eating from the forbidden tree in The Garden of Eden. Then they had to walk around naked and embrace that they had gone against the law of God, like Hester had gone against the law of the Church and the known law of society.
Through this idea of Hester going against the law of the Church, the reader sees the townspeople use her as a scapegoat;"Thus the young and pure would be taught to look at her, with the scarlet letter flaming on her breast" (Hawthorne 59). The townspeople use her as an example of what not to do, but like Mary said they don't think God sees their actions just the horrible sins like Hester's. They use her as an scapegoat to prove they have never done anything as horrible as her, but in actuality they are not perfect.
This also can almost relate to the story of Jesus, because as Libby said, Hester was the scapegoat for the people. In the story of Jesus on the Cross, he served as the scapegoat for anger because he was preaching against the leaders of the founded church. He was hung up on the cross in front of all the town to be taunted and killed. Although Hester was not killed, she did have to stand in front of everyone and take the horrible chants and name calling.
I would agree with what both of you mentioned about the religious allusions. Although Hester has committed a horrible sin she takes for responsibility of her actions and walks around the town with her scarlet letter visible for all to see. Hester is shunned by everyone in town, and even though her sin is the reason she has been alienated by so many she still believes in God. "O father in haven - if thou art still my father, " (Hawthorne 88). As Christians you are always taught that God forgives you, because no one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes but here Hester questions the heavenly father.
Through what the reader has seen so far from Hester is more strength then any woman. These positive attributes make us wonder exactly why Hester did commit the sin. "In a moment, however, wisely judging that one token of her shame would but poorly serve to hide another, she took the baby on her arm, and, with a burning blush, and yet a haughty smile (Hawthorne 30). This quote keeps the reader questioning if Hester is a good person wouldn't she feel sorry for her sin. These positive attributes make us believe Hester as the victim, but also brings us to question her morals.
In the introduction in the first couple of chapters, the narrator is told to have a lot of the same qualities and actions as the author Nathaniel Hawthorne. As you continue to read we begin to see the same pattern but between Hester and Pearl, because of Hester's sin. "Mother and Daughter stood together in the same circle of seclusion from human society," (Hawthorne 87). Hester was shunned by the townspeople and now Pearl is being raised by only her mother, now too shares the same emptiness and loneliness that Hester feels.
Week 3: Character Development As Dimmesdale is dying the reader sees such a great impact from his death on Pearl;"Pearl kissed his lips. A spell was broken. The great scene of grief, in which the wild infant bore a part, had developed all her sympathies; and as her tears fell upon her father's cheek, they were the pledge that she would grow up amid human joy and sorrow, nor for ever do battle with the world, but be a woman in it"(Hawthorne 147). This change of character in Pearl is so drastic which surprises the reader because we never saw Pearl as this normal person with emotions. Pearl never had feelings like this before, but Hawthorne makes it evident that she does before the end of the novel. I believe Hawthorne proves Pearl to be more innocent and as a woman to make her character significant. Her character is seen as just the child from adultery, but now as a more well rounded character that is also impacted by the actions of her mother. What do you think Hawthorne wanted us reader to see Pearl as in the end?
I agree with what you arguing. I think that at first Pearl is seen as a "demon child" as she was only ever looked at as Hester's mistake but as the book continues to go on, we as readers begin to see that Pearl is more than just a child born from adultery and that she has many things to offer. Pearl is almost seen as a symbol throughout the book because she is played out to be a very mature character but she also is always asking questions or pointing things out making the readers pay attention to many things that may be looked over. "There was witchcraft in little Pearl’s eyes, and her face, as she glanced upward at the minister, wore that naughty smile which made its expression frequently so elvish,"(Hawthorne 151). Dimmesdale can see it in Pearl's eyes and facial expression makes the readers stop and focus onto what hawthorne is trying to say. Pearl is seen as a symbol to see perspective of an adult life from a child's mind.
Week 3: Religion When Hester goes to visit Governor Bellingham's about the rumor of her daughter being taken away. Bellingham begins to question Pearl and her knowledge of God and she refuses to answer any questions. "Here is a child of three year old, and she cannot tell who made her," (Hawthorne 102). Bellingham is shocked that Hester's daughter cannot recite that God has made her, Pearl is seen as a demon child but in reality she was brought into the world by God. When Bellingham begins to question the parenting of Hester, Dimmesdale steps in and justifies for Hester as a mother. Dimmesdale makes a clear point when he justifies that God brought Pearl into this world for a reason for Hester both as a blessing and curse. We see right here the motif of good vs evil. Pearl was a sin to God on Hester but later becomes a blessing in Hester's life, as Pearl is the only thing left in her life.
Not only does Dimmesdale bring God into justifying Pearl, but while talking to Mr. Chillingworth, Mr. Wilson brings up praying to God;“Better to fast and pray upon it; and still better, it may be, to leave the mystery as we find it, unless Providence reveal it of its own accord.” To the community and especially Dimmesdale and Chillingworth Pearl needs to be justified. This community is so dedicated to the church that the only way they can understand why Pearl is in their lives is believing that God put her on the earth for a lesson for themselves.
It is very interesting that she cannot tell who made her, because this truly shows her fathers influence, and really society influence on who she is because she even says that God is not her Heavenly Father because she knows that the symbol of the Scarlett A shows that she was born to a couple who committed a sin, and in a town with such high religious standards, so much that Hester is not allowed to do needlework for weddings, we see that those concepts are forced upon Pearl. She learns that she is born in sin and then believes she cannot be of God, the father.
Hester speaks of how every situation including Dimmesdale's sin is her fault; "The scarlet letter burned on Hester Prynne's bosom. Here was another ruin, the responsibility of which came partly home to her"(Hawthorne 153). The responsibility she puts on herself is extremely selfless. She also believes that Dimmesdale is not to blame for what has happened or his sin of hypocrisy. Even how Chillingworth has also sinned through the evilness in his character, Hester takes full blame. This aspect that she doesn't blame Dimmesdale for his sin proves her to be the most humble of the characters.
Week 3: Pearl's Symbolism A pearl is commonly used in jewelry, and typically is an expensive item for purchase. A pearl is seen as beautiful and extremely fashionable and valuable. Therefore, when Hawthorne names Hester's baby, Pearl, it symbolizes that she was a costly birth. The meaning of her name symbolizes the payment, "But she named the infant 'Pearl' as being of great price,-purchased with all she had,- her mother's only treasure"(Hawthorne 82). Her cost was the shame of her mother for committing adultery, the isolation, and loneliness of her mother. She came at a price of hatred and disapproval for her mother. She also represents a pearl because she develops in to a beautiful young girl, "A lovely and immortal flower, out of the rank luxuriance of a guilty passion" (Hawthorne 81). By comparing her to a flower, we see the true natural beauty she holds. Later in the chapter we hear more of Pearl's beauty and nature as a human.
I would agree and I found this very interesting as well because like you said after Hester commits her sin of adultery, Pearl is the only thing left in Hester's life. She is simply the "treasure" in Hester's life. "Pearl keeps me here in life!"(Hawthorne 104). I think Hawthorne compares Pearl to a flower because as you say nature has true beauty and nature is no where near perfect, just as Pearl's character is displayed, a true blessing in Hester's life
I think the society as a whole can be seen as a sense of hypocrisy because they begin with shaming Hester for committing adultery and force her to be humiliated, isolated, and an outcast. However, once she moves out of the city, the people in the town, still rely on her needlework and bask in the beauty of her skills. This creates a since of contradiction because at first they are bash on her when she is released from prison, but then her work is in such high demand that even the Governor requests her work.
Week 1: Narration
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the introduction of "Scarlet Letter" the narrator is introduced but his name is never once mentioned. He stays nameless throughout the first 50 pages of the introduction. Although the narrator is never named he displays multiple of the same qualities of Nathan Hawthorne, even though it can seem at points the narrator and Hawthorne are the same person, you have to keep the two storytellers separate. Not only does the narrator relate to Nathan Hawthorne himself but also to the main character Hester, why do you think that Hawthorne incorporated so many of his own qualities into his main character?
I think the author incorporated so many of his own qualities into the main character because it creates a sense of reality in the character. The character begins to seem less like a fictional concept and more of a relatable human type figure. This creates a sense of further engagement between the reader and the novel.
DeleteWeek 1: Diction
ReplyDeleteIn The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the narrator uses a formal diction that holds a neutral tone to the gathering of people outside of the heavy oak door of the prison. The setting is in a gloomy crowd of people who are gathered to watch the release of the Hester, with her new decor of the scarlet A to display her adultery. When the narrator describes the setting he does not show much emotion in his word choice, "Certain it is, that, some fifteen or twenty years after the settlement of the town, the wooden jail was already marked with weather-stains and other indications of age, which gave a yet darker aspect to its beetle-browned and gloomy front"( Hawthorne 45). The use of large descriptive words creates the sense of formality and establishes the importance of this event, but the words do not show a swaying opinion to the love or hatred or anger of what is happening arouond him.
This scene of the jail, I feel is extremely important because it sets up the reader for Hester, the main character to come out. A jail is commonly thought of as dark and gloomy, but the exact detail of how old the jail is and how it has aged gives the reader evidence that the jail may not be used often by this town. The jail proves how religious and against sin this community because the jail is not taken care of.
DeleteI would also agree with Libby's interpretation of the jail scene. I think it saids a lot to the standards the town has for the people living in Salem. Hester seems to be the only girl to have committed adultery which says a lot about the town. A jail is usually known for people to go to when they have committed a crime and no one in today' society would have ever gone to jail for committing adultery but with the towns expectations so high for everyone Hester is put into jail and looked down upon by everyone. I think the diction used in this scene helps portray that disappointed of the people and the importance of religion in the town of Salem
DeleteWeek 1: Supernatural
ReplyDeleteOnce Hester comes out with the scarlet letter the reader sees this perspective of the letter as supernatural, "It had the affect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations her out of the ordinary relations with humanity and enclosing her in a sphere by herself" (Hawthorne 46). The spell put on the letter takes her out of ordinary life in her community making her stand out. Hester did make the scarlet letter herself, which makes the reader question who the spell on the letter affects. This spell not only seems to be affecting Hester, but also the town because she will be a constant reminder of sin in their community.
For a punishment that is supposedly religiously justified, do you find it odd that Hawthorne uses the word "spell," commonly associated with the supernatural and witchcraft to describe its effect?
DeleteWeek 1: Forgiveness
ReplyDeleteFrom the beginning of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Hester is immediately judged from her entire community. It seems as though no one had ever committed a sin, except one woman didn't see Hester as a completely bad person;"Ah, but," interposed, more softly, a young wife, holding a child by the hand, "let her cover the mark as she will, the pang of it will be always in her heart" (Hawthorne 43). The reader doesn't know much about this woman, but it makes us question why she sticks up for Hester. Could she have possible committed a similar sin? This may prove the community to be sinful just as Hester is.
I also found this to be interesting as well, I think Nataniel Hawthorne is setting up something to happen as we continue to read on. I think the town shunning Hester and making her wear the letter A is an important motif of religion and just how important religion is. In the bible sinning is always preached as a horrible thing and something you should never commit but in reality everyone sins, so why is Hester the only girl to ever to do something wrong and get looked down upon?
DeleteI as well found this behavior as sort of an abstract idea because the woman went against the social norms of society and broke the religious concepts by supporting her. I think Hester is not the only girl who did this, but I don't think the woman was someone who committed the crime, but more of someone who thinks that the way society treats her is morally wrong.
DeleteWeek 2: Fate
ReplyDeleteThrough Dimmesdale wanting Hester to reveal the secret, the reader is able to understand a deeper understanding of his character; "He himself, on the other hand, with characteristic humility, avowed his belief that if Providence should see fit to remove him, it would be because of his own unworthiness to perform its humblest mission here on earth"( Hawthorne 109). Dimmesdale believes he has no control over anything. The future of his life, work and death are completely out of his control. This I believe is why he begs Hester to reveal the secret. His belief that he is not in control of his future shows his innocence on how he can't take any of his actions for himself. What other possibilities would Dimmesdale want Hester to reveal the secret?
Week 2: Alienation
ReplyDeleteHester has been freed from jail in Boston and decides to stay in the town of Boston and continue her everyday life while also raising her daughter Pearl. Hester has the opportunity to move freely and start over a new life and not have to face the humiliation of wearing the Scarlet letter and having people judge her for her sin for the rest of her life. "Free to return to her birthplace, or to any other european land, and there hide her character and identify under a new exterior, as completely as if emerging into another state of being," ( Hawthorne 73). Hester has a chance to make a difference in not only her life but also her daughter's life giving her the opportunity to live a normal life and have friends, but instead Hester decided to stay in Boston and live with her consequences and sin she made. Both Hester and Pearl are alienated from everyone else in town and their own companionship is each other. Why do you think Hester made this decision for both herself and Pearl?
I believe Hester stays in Boston because her husband is also in Boston, and despite the fact that she committed a sin against him, he still displays some interest in her. He came to her release from prison, and made note to disguise himself, but still be noticeable to her. I think this shows maybe a sense of forgiveness from him onto her because he came to Boston awhile after she had. He sees that she has done wrong, but possibly also understands what happened could of happened because she was lonely.
DeleteWeek 2: religious allusions
ReplyDeleteNot only does the fact that Hester committed adultery demonstrate the religious beliefs of many, but when she has to stand in front of the crowd for a period of time and be publicly shamed by the three men, it alludes to the Adam and eve story. Hester's husband speaks to a random townsmen about what is happening with Hester, and the townsman says, "Preadventure the guilty one stands looking on at this sad spectacle, unknown of man, and forgetting that God sees him"(Hawthorne 58). This concept of not knowing that God is watching, alludes to Adam and Eve not thinking that God saw them when they were hiding from him after they were stripped naked for eating from the forbidden tree in The Garden of Eden. Then they had to walk around naked and embrace that they had gone against the law of God, like Hester had gone against the law of the Church and the known law of society.
Through this idea of Hester going against the law of the Church, the reader sees the townspeople use her as a scapegoat;"Thus the young and pure would be taught to look at her, with the scarlet letter flaming on her breast" (Hawthorne 59). The townspeople use her as an example of what not to do, but like Mary said they don't think God sees their actions just the horrible sins like Hester's. They use her as an scapegoat to prove they have never done anything as horrible as her, but in actuality they are not perfect.
ReplyDeleteThis also can almost relate to the story of Jesus, because as Libby said, Hester was the scapegoat for the people. In the story of Jesus on the Cross, he served as the scapegoat for anger because he was preaching against the leaders of the founded church. He was hung up on the cross in front of all the town to be taunted and killed. Although Hester was not killed, she did have to stand in front of everyone and take the horrible chants and name calling.
DeleteI would agree with what both of you mentioned about the religious allusions. Although Hester has committed a horrible sin she takes for responsibility of her actions and walks around the town with her scarlet letter visible for all to see. Hester is shunned by everyone in town, and even though her sin is the reason she has been alienated by so many she still believes in God. "O father in haven - if thou art still my father, " (Hawthorne 88). As Christians you are always taught that God forgives you, because no one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes but here Hester questions the heavenly father.
DeleteThrough what the reader has seen so far from Hester is more strength then any woman. These positive attributes make us wonder exactly why Hester did commit the sin. "In a moment, however, wisely judging that one token of her shame would but poorly serve to hide another, she took the baby on her arm, and, with a burning blush, and yet a haughty smile (Hawthorne 30). This quote keeps the reader questioning if Hester is a good person wouldn't she feel sorry for her sin. These positive attributes make us believe Hester as the victim, but also brings us to question her morals.
ReplyDeleteIn the introduction in the first couple of chapters, the narrator is told to have a lot of the same qualities and actions as the author Nathaniel Hawthorne. As you continue to read we begin to see the same pattern but between Hester and Pearl, because of Hester's sin. "Mother and Daughter stood together in the same circle of seclusion from human society," (Hawthorne 87). Hester was shunned by the townspeople and now Pearl is being raised by only her mother, now too shares the same emptiness and loneliness that Hester feels.
ReplyDeleteWeek 3: Character Development
ReplyDeleteAs Dimmesdale is dying the reader sees such a great impact from his death on Pearl;"Pearl kissed his lips. A spell was broken. The great scene of grief, in which the wild infant bore a part, had developed all her sympathies; and as her tears fell upon her father's cheek, they were the pledge that she would grow up amid human joy and sorrow, nor for ever do battle with the world, but be a woman in it"(Hawthorne 147). This change of character in Pearl is so drastic which surprises the reader because we never saw Pearl as this normal person with emotions. Pearl never had feelings like this before, but Hawthorne makes it evident that she does before the end of the novel. I believe Hawthorne proves Pearl to be more innocent and as a woman to make her character significant. Her character is seen as just the child from adultery, but now as a more well rounded character that is also impacted by the actions of her mother. What do you think Hawthorne wanted us reader to see Pearl as in the end?
I agree with what you arguing. I think that at first Pearl is seen as a "demon child" as she was only ever looked at as Hester's mistake but as the book continues to go on, we as readers begin to see that Pearl is more than just a child born from adultery and that she has many things to offer. Pearl is almost seen as a symbol throughout the book because she is played out to be a very mature character but she also is always asking questions or pointing things out making the readers pay attention to many things that may be looked over. "There was witchcraft in little Pearl’s eyes, and her face, as she glanced upward at the minister, wore that naughty smile which made its expression frequently so elvish,"(Hawthorne 151). Dimmesdale can see it in Pearl's eyes and facial expression makes the readers stop and focus onto what hawthorne is trying to say. Pearl is seen as a symbol to see perspective of an adult life from a child's mind.
DeleteWeek 3: Religion
ReplyDeleteWhen Hester goes to visit Governor Bellingham's about the rumor of her daughter being taken away. Bellingham begins to question Pearl and her knowledge of God and she refuses to answer any questions. "Here is a child of three year old, and she cannot tell who made her," (Hawthorne 102). Bellingham is shocked that Hester's daughter cannot recite that God has made her, Pearl is seen as a demon child but in reality she was brought into the world by God. When Bellingham begins to question the parenting of Hester, Dimmesdale steps in and justifies for Hester as a mother. Dimmesdale makes a clear point when he justifies that God brought Pearl into this world for a reason for Hester both as a blessing and curse. We see right here the motif of good vs evil. Pearl was a sin to God on Hester but later becomes a blessing in Hester's life, as Pearl is the only thing left in her life.
Not only does Dimmesdale bring God into justifying Pearl, but while talking to Mr. Chillingworth, Mr. Wilson brings up praying to God;“Better to fast and pray upon it; and still better, it may be, to leave the mystery as we find it, unless Providence reveal it of its own accord.” To the community and especially Dimmesdale and Chillingworth Pearl needs to be justified. This community is so dedicated to the church that the only way they can understand why Pearl is in their lives is believing that God put her on the earth for a lesson for themselves.
DeleteIt is very interesting that she cannot tell who made her, because this truly shows her fathers influence, and really society influence on who she is because she even says that God is not her Heavenly Father because she knows that the symbol of the Scarlett A shows that she was born to a couple who committed a sin, and in a town with such high religious standards, so much that Hester is not allowed to do needlework for weddings, we see that those concepts are forced upon Pearl. She learns that she is born in sin and then believes she cannot be of God, the father.
DeleteHester speaks of how every situation including Dimmesdale's sin is her fault; "The scarlet letter burned on Hester Prynne's bosom. Here was another ruin, the responsibility of which came partly home to her"(Hawthorne 153). The responsibility she puts on herself is extremely selfless. She also believes that Dimmesdale is not to blame for what has happened or his sin of hypocrisy. Even how Chillingworth has also sinned through the evilness in his character, Hester takes full blame. This aspect that she doesn't blame Dimmesdale for his sin proves her to be the most humble of the characters.
ReplyDeleteWeek 3: Pearl's Symbolism
ReplyDeleteA pearl is commonly used in jewelry, and typically is an expensive item for purchase. A pearl is seen as beautiful and extremely fashionable and valuable. Therefore, when Hawthorne names Hester's baby, Pearl, it symbolizes that she was a costly birth. The meaning of her name symbolizes the payment, "But she named the infant 'Pearl' as being of great price,-purchased with all she had,- her mother's only treasure"(Hawthorne 82). Her cost was the shame of her mother for committing adultery, the isolation, and loneliness of her mother. She came at a price of hatred and disapproval for her mother. She also represents a pearl because she develops in to a beautiful young girl, "A lovely and immortal flower, out of the rank luxuriance of a guilty passion" (Hawthorne 81). By comparing her to a flower, we see the true natural beauty she holds. Later in the chapter we hear more of Pearl's beauty and nature as a human.
I would agree and I found this very interesting as well because like you said after Hester commits her sin of adultery, Pearl is the only thing left in Hester's life. She is simply the "treasure" in Hester's life. "Pearl keeps me here in life!"(Hawthorne 104). I think Hawthorne compares Pearl to a flower because as you say nature has true beauty and nature is no where near perfect, just as Pearl's character is displayed, a true blessing in Hester's life
DeleteI think the society as a whole can be seen as a sense of hypocrisy because they begin with shaming Hester for committing adultery and force her to be humiliated, isolated, and an outcast. However, once she moves out of the city, the people in the town, still rely on her needlework and bask in the beauty of her skills. This creates a since of contradiction because at first they are bash on her when she is released from prison, but then her work is in such high demand that even the Governor requests her work.
ReplyDelete