1.) “Sibyl? Oh, she was so shy, and so gentle. There is something of a child about her. Her eyes opened wide in exquisite wonder when I told her what I thought of her performance, and she seemed quite unconscious of her power.” (57)
For the first time, Dorian Gray has fallen in love with an actress named Sibyl Vane. She and Dorian are similar in many ways. They are young, naïve, and beautiful. They were also both completely unaware of their power, until someone told them. By admiring Sibyl and having a slight obsession with her, Dorian has become more like Lord Henry. If Dorian and Sibyl’s relationship turns out like Dorian and Lord Henry’s relationship, it will not be successful. Basil warned Lord Henry not to influence Dorian, because it would be a bad. If Dorian is to become more like Lord Henry, he will have a negative impact on her. Sibyl’s last name, Vane, may have a connection to the word vain, meaning she will become conceited or arrogant. Lord Henry warned Dorian not to get married because in the end, both Dorian and Sybil will be disappointed.
2.) “Human life- that appeared to him the one thing worth investigating. Compared to it there was nothing else of any value. Compared to it there was nothing else of any value” (61).
Lord Henry gets pleasure out of investigating Dorian’s life because Dorian is not like anyone else. Dorian brings him a type of excitement Lord Henry has never felt before. Lord Henry was always interested in natural science, but ordinary science became predictable and unimportant to him. Human life is filled with new adventures, experiences, and always changing. There are no general conclusions in human life. Studying the way a person responds to tragedy offers insight to how a person lives. To Lord Henry, this is the greatest reward.
Vocabulary Words:
1.)Staccato: composed of or characterized by abruptly disconnected elements; disjointed
The same nervous staccato laugh broke from her thin lips, and her fingers began to play with a long tortoise-shell paperknife.
2.)Vivisecting: the action of cutting into or dissecting a living body
And so he had begun by vivisecting himself, as he had ended by vivisecting others.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The Picture of Dorian Gray #2
1.) “Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic. Worlds had to be in travail, that the meanest flower might blow” (39).
Lord Henry seeks his uncle to learn more information about Dorian Gray. He learns his mother was beautiful and she could marry anyone she wanted. Instead she chose to marry a poor young man. Her father did not approve this; and as a result, he had his daughter’s new husband killed and she died within a year. The child, Dorian Gray, was born out of pain and distress. In order for something wonderful to happen, something dreadful needs to happen. This relates to Dorian’s past and possibly his future. Behind Dorian’s life there was a tragedy. Similarly, for Dorian to keep his beauty something tragic must occur.
2.) “I cannot sympathize with that. It is too ugly, too horrible, too distressing. There is something terribly morbid in the modern sympathy with pain. One should sympathize with the color, the beauty, the joy of life. The less said about life’s sores the better” (43).
Lord Henry horrifies the guests by saying he cannot sympathize with suffering. He goes against his aunt’s and the guest’s philanthropic nature by indicating he has no concern for those who are affected by misery. This once again shows his insensible and uncompassionate nature. Instead of focusing on the negative things in life, he believes we should acknowledge beauty and happiness. He feels by accepting and focusing on suffering we will be tormented. By concentrating on pleasure, one will enjoy a better life. Although the people initially do not agree with his views, Lord Henry’s intellect is able to persuade them.
Vocab Words:
1.) Supercilious: haughtily disdainful or contemptuous, as a person or a facial expression
"'I am told, on excellent authority, that ther father keeps an American dry-goods store,' said Sir Thomas Burdon, looking supercilious" (41).
2.) Liveried: Characteristic dress, garb, or outward appearance
“At last, liveried in the costume of the age, Reality entered the room in the shape of a servant to tell the Duchess that her carriage was waiting” (45).
Lord Henry seeks his uncle to learn more information about Dorian Gray. He learns his mother was beautiful and she could marry anyone she wanted. Instead she chose to marry a poor young man. Her father did not approve this; and as a result, he had his daughter’s new husband killed and she died within a year. The child, Dorian Gray, was born out of pain and distress. In order for something wonderful to happen, something dreadful needs to happen. This relates to Dorian’s past and possibly his future. Behind Dorian’s life there was a tragedy. Similarly, for Dorian to keep his beauty something tragic must occur.
2.) “I cannot sympathize with that. It is too ugly, too horrible, too distressing. There is something terribly morbid in the modern sympathy with pain. One should sympathize with the color, the beauty, the joy of life. The less said about life’s sores the better” (43).
Lord Henry horrifies the guests by saying he cannot sympathize with suffering. He goes against his aunt’s and the guest’s philanthropic nature by indicating he has no concern for those who are affected by misery. This once again shows his insensible and uncompassionate nature. Instead of focusing on the negative things in life, he believes we should acknowledge beauty and happiness. He feels by accepting and focusing on suffering we will be tormented. By concentrating on pleasure, one will enjoy a better life. Although the people initially do not agree with his views, Lord Henry’s intellect is able to persuade them.
Vocab Words:
1.) Supercilious: haughtily disdainful or contemptuous, as a person or a facial expression
"'I am told, on excellent authority, that ther father keeps an American dry-goods store,' said Sir Thomas Burdon, looking supercilious" (41).
2.) Liveried: Characteristic dress, garb, or outward appearance
“At last, liveried in the costume of the age, Reality entered the room in the shape of a servant to tell the Duchess that her carriage was waiting” (45).
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The Picture of Dorian Gray #1
1.) “Realize your youth while you have it. Don’t squander the gold of your days, listening to the tedious, trying to improve the hopeless failure, or giving away your life to the ignorant, the common, and the vulgar” (24).
Lord Henry brings a new fear into Dorian’s mind; the fear that his beauty will not last forever. Originally, Dorian never thought he was gorgeous. When he was told that he had the most marvelous youth, Dorian responded, “I don’t feel that, Lord Henry” (24). Therefore, he did not worry about losing something valuable he did not possess. A new horror enters Dorian’s mind when he realizes his good looks will soon be gone. Lord Henry leaves Dorian with the advice to be gracious for what he has now. He should not waste his time worrying about something he has no control over or trying to please others who are impolite. The advice was not helpful; instead it turned out to be an influence, exactly what Basil warned Lord Henry of doing: “Don’t try to influence him. Your influence would be bad” (16).
2.) “But Beauty, real beauty, ends where an intellectual expression begins. Intellect is in itself a mode of exaggeration, and destroys the harmony of any face” (5).
Lord Henry’s philosophy is that beauty and youth are imperative, intelligence is overrated and will destroy attractiveness. To him, it is not possible to be truly beautiful and intellectual. After Basil insists he cannot show the painting because it has too much of him in it, Lord Henry shows his ignorance and shallow nature by claiming the picture has no resemblance to him at all. His inability to see the picture as a whole illustrates his small-minded personality. Basil understands that beauty is not everything and there is more to life than looks. Unfortunately, Lord Henry’s arrogant viewpoint will soon manipulate the naive Dorian Gray.
Vocab Words:
1.) Sauntered: A leisurely pace or a leisurely walk or stroll
“The rose up, and sauntered down the walk together” (26).
2.)Candor: The state or quality of being frank, open, and sincere in speech or expression; freedom from bias; fairness; impartiality
“I think that would be a rather nice excuse: it would have all the surprise of candor” (31)
Lord Henry brings a new fear into Dorian’s mind; the fear that his beauty will not last forever. Originally, Dorian never thought he was gorgeous. When he was told that he had the most marvelous youth, Dorian responded, “I don’t feel that, Lord Henry” (24). Therefore, he did not worry about losing something valuable he did not possess. A new horror enters Dorian’s mind when he realizes his good looks will soon be gone. Lord Henry leaves Dorian with the advice to be gracious for what he has now. He should not waste his time worrying about something he has no control over or trying to please others who are impolite. The advice was not helpful; instead it turned out to be an influence, exactly what Basil warned Lord Henry of doing: “Don’t try to influence him. Your influence would be bad” (16).
2.) “But Beauty, real beauty, ends where an intellectual expression begins. Intellect is in itself a mode of exaggeration, and destroys the harmony of any face” (5).
Lord Henry’s philosophy is that beauty and youth are imperative, intelligence is overrated and will destroy attractiveness. To him, it is not possible to be truly beautiful and intellectual. After Basil insists he cannot show the painting because it has too much of him in it, Lord Henry shows his ignorance and shallow nature by claiming the picture has no resemblance to him at all. His inability to see the picture as a whole illustrates his small-minded personality. Basil understands that beauty is not everything and there is more to life than looks. Unfortunately, Lord Henry’s arrogant viewpoint will soon manipulate the naive Dorian Gray.
Vocab Words:
1.) Sauntered: A leisurely pace or a leisurely walk or stroll
“The rose up, and sauntered down the walk together” (26).
2.)Candor: The state or quality of being frank, open, and sincere in speech or expression; freedom from bias; fairness; impartiality
“I think that would be a rather nice excuse: it would have all the surprise of candor” (31)
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Scarlet Letter and the Crucible Essay
If there was no ritual for the washing away of sins, would it matter if a person publicly confessed their sins or dealt with them privately? It would: “Lying is done with words and also with silence” (Adrienne Rich). When you are honest you have nothing to hide and most importantly nothing to fear. Four people in The Crucible and The Scarlet Letter engaged in the same sin, adultery. Each chose a different path, hoping that one day they would be forgiven, freed from their guilt, and hopefully find a place in heaven. Publicly bearing sins is the first step toward forgiving yourself, and once you forgive yourself, God can too.
The most important message from The Scarlet Letter was to be honest: “Be true! Be true! Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred” (Hawthorne 231). Similarly, the message from The Crucible was that after we confess, we will be rewarded, like John Proctor, “He have his goodness now” (Miller 145). Therefore, it would be more successful for a sinner to publicly bear their sins than deal with them privately. The journey four characters go through proves that honesty is the best policy; for those who confessed were saved in the end.
Although Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter had no option, she was the first of the four to publically bear her sins. She did this by wearing the scarlet letter. The intent of the scarlet letter was to cause Hester an unbearable amount of pain; it did cause her pain, but it also caused her relief. It was a blessing in disguise. She could have covered up the letter, but she wanted it to stand out, “On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold-thread” (Hawthorne 50). Hester accepted her punishment gracefully. After years, she was given the chance to leave, but instead she chose to stay, “She had returned, therefore, and resumed,- of her own free will, for not the sternest magistrate of that iron period would have imposed it,- resumed the symbol of which we have related so dark a tale” (234). If Hester ran away she would be showing the townspeople that publically bearing sins was something to be ashamed of; that would be incorrect, escaping does not solve anything. Hester did not want to leave because her sin was part of who she was, “Here had been her sin; here, her sorrow; and here was yet to be her penitence” (234). By staying in Boston, Hester was reminded of her sin. She would always be repenting for it.
When everyone knows your worst, you can only get better. Hester transmuted the meaning of the letter “A” from adulterous to able. She comforted all sinners and continued her charitable work. Hester imagined herself as a prophetess whose message was that, “at some brighter period, when the world should have grown veiled, in Heaven’s own time, a new truth would be revealed, in order to establish the whole relation between man and woman on a surer ground of mutual happiness” (235). She was a symbol of hope for all other sinners.
Unlike Hester, Reverend Dimmesdale chose to hide his sin, because, by publically admitting his sins, he would be going against everything he stood for. However, it is evident that by keeping everything inside, Dimmesdale was tortured physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Dimmesdale’s soul was eaten away with guilt. Dimmesdale constantly thought about his sins. He starved himself and physically tortured himself. He wanted the people to know so badly, he tried to incorporate a confession into almost every sermon. His attempts failed miserably and only caused the people to appreciate him more. Unlike Hester, who found joy in her daughter and sewing, Dimmesdale found no joy at all. Dimmesdale made it clear to Hester that his suffering was worse than hers, “Were I an atheist, - a man devoid of conscience,- a wretch with coarse and brutal instincts,- I might have found peace, long ere now… Hester, I am most miserable!” (172). Chillingworth’s medicine saved Dimmesdale’s life, but his soul was still dying. The medicine Dimmesdale needed to save his soul was confession.
At the hour of his death, Dimmesdale was grateful for all the torture he went through. It would save him in the end because the pain he went through on earth would be enough to get him into heaven: “By bringing me hither, to die this death of triumphant ignominy before the people! Had either of these agonies been wanting, I had been lost forever! Praised be His name! His will be done!” (229). Everything Dimmesdale kept inside: his torment, his guilt, and his agony, led up to his death. He died hoping his message would reach everyone. If he had not publically borne his sin, he would have failed to get a final message across, “After exhausting life in his efforts for mankind’s spiritual good, he had made the manner of his death a parable, in order to impress on his admirers the mighty and mournful lesson, that, in the view of Infinite Purity, we are sinners all alike” (231). We are all sinners and can all be forgiven if we ask.
John Proctor from The Crucible chose to privately deal with his sins. His wife, Elizabeth, was the only one who knew. Proctor’s failure to confess resulted in hundreds of people being unfairly persecuted. If Proctor chose to publicly bear his sins from the beginning, he would have saved innocent lives. Speaking the truth is difficult, but what is often the most difficult is most successful. Once your sin is out, you have nothing to fear. When Proctor realized speaking the truth would defeat his enemy’s purpose, he confessed in front of a large crowd. Publicly confessing also allowed Proctor to realize an important lesson. He learned that God is the final and ultimate judge: “I have confessed myself! Is there no good penitence but it be public? God does not need my name nailed upon the church! God sees my name; God knows how black my sins are! It is enough!” (Miller 142). Proctor can freely accept his death because he knows God forgives him.
Unlike Hester who escaped the town and returned shortly after, Abigail Williams, from The Crucible, escaped and never returned. Out of the four sinners, she was the only one to never declare her sins publicly. Along with that, she was also the only one who was never tortured or tormented by internal guilt. This would imply that dealing with sins privately is the best option and most successful. However, Abigail was far from being successful. She turned to the most degrading position in society, a lascivious prostitute. This proved that not only was Abigail loathed by others, but her dignity and self-respect were lost as well.
We are also reassured in The Scarlet Letter that it does not matter where you are; your sin will follow you everywhere. Dimmesdale and Hester believed Europe was the answer to their prayers. However, as Hester and Dimmesdale learned, Chillingworth planned to come along. There would be no happy ending until Dimmesdale repented, as long as his sin was around Chillingworth was around, and with Chillingworth came torture.
Abigail should have learned her lesson through the people she persecuted. They failed to confess to being witches, and as a result, “they [hung] for silence” (143). Nothing good ever came out of being silent. Although, Abigail escaped Salem, she could not escape God’s wrath. Her uncle Parris warned her of this, “Now look you, child, your punishment will come in its time” (10). Instead of being tortured on earth for a few years, Abigail would be tortured in hell for all eternity.
In the Puritanical societies of Boston and Salem, religion was the foundation of society. If their faith was the center of their life, they would have been able to understand and interpret The Bible. In the Gospel of Luke it clearly states, “Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the person through whom they occur… If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him” (Luke16: 1-3). Dimmesdale clearly understood this when leaving his message for Hester and the townspeople. We are all sinners, but if we repent we will be forgiven. How we respond to the sin will either separate or bring us closer to God.
Given that The Bible was the most important part of their lives, it is appropriate to compare Dimmesdale and Abigail to two essential people in Jesus’ ministry. First, we can relate Dimmesdale to Peter. Jesus predicted that Peter would deny him three times before the cock crows. Peter ensured Jesus he would never do such a thing; however, as Peter was sitting outside the courtyard he was asked if he was a follower of Jesus. Three times, he faced this question. Every single time, Peter disowned Jesus. Likewise, Dimmesdale disowned Hester and Pearl. After, Peter realized his sin, he wept bitterly. Dimmesdale also wept bitterly at his confession on the scaffold. Because Peter repented, Jesus forgave him. Not only did he forgive him, but he chose him to be the leader of the early church. Peter was to be an example of how to live and to strengthen and encourage other followers. Similarly, the people looked at Dimmesdale as an example. They were inspired by his sermons and teachings, and Dimmesdale’s final message was that God is the final judge. This message was to be remembered and cherished forever.
Another important character from this story was Judas, the traitor. Abigail and Judas share several of the same characteristics. Judas, “went, and discoursed with the chief priests and the magistrates, how he might betray [Jesus] to them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. And he promised. And he sought opportunity to betray him in the absence of the multitude” (Luke 22: 3-6). Judas was looking out only for himself. He failed to speak the truth. Abigail also failed to speak the truth: “I have been hurt, Mr. Danforth; I have seen my blood runnin’ out! I have been near to murdered every day because I done my duty pointing out the Devil’s people – and this is my reward? To be mistrusted, denied, questioned” (108). Abigail, like Judas, was only looking out for herself. After the town knew her sin, she fled as soon as she could. Both Peter and Judas committed a similar sin. Abigail and Dimmesdale also committed a similar sin. How they each handled the sin contrasted greatly. To the Christians, Judas is looked upon as the worst sinner of all because he failed to repent. However, Peter became a saint and is the most respected of Jesus’ disciples. Abigail’s failure to admit her sins makes her most like Judas, therefore, making her the most detestable sinner.
Knowing God forgives all sinners, no matter how bad the sin, there is no reason not to publically confess. Hester transformed the meaning of the worst symbol in Boston to one of the best. She was rewarded at her final resting place in King’s Chapel, where the High Priests were buried. This proves that the initial sin is not important; what is important is how we deal with the sin. Dimmesdale and Proctor both taught one of the most important lessons. God is the final and ultimate judge. It does not matter what others think of us, only God. Those who are honest will prevail; whereas, those who conceal their sins, like Abigail, will be rewarded only in hell. “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (James 5:16).
The most important message from The Scarlet Letter was to be honest: “Be true! Be true! Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred” (Hawthorne 231). Similarly, the message from The Crucible was that after we confess, we will be rewarded, like John Proctor, “He have his goodness now” (Miller 145). Therefore, it would be more successful for a sinner to publicly bear their sins than deal with them privately. The journey four characters go through proves that honesty is the best policy; for those who confessed were saved in the end.
Although Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter had no option, she was the first of the four to publically bear her sins. She did this by wearing the scarlet letter. The intent of the scarlet letter was to cause Hester an unbearable amount of pain; it did cause her pain, but it also caused her relief. It was a blessing in disguise. She could have covered up the letter, but she wanted it to stand out, “On the breast of her gown, in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold-thread” (Hawthorne 50). Hester accepted her punishment gracefully. After years, she was given the chance to leave, but instead she chose to stay, “She had returned, therefore, and resumed,- of her own free will, for not the sternest magistrate of that iron period would have imposed it,- resumed the symbol of which we have related so dark a tale” (234). If Hester ran away she would be showing the townspeople that publically bearing sins was something to be ashamed of; that would be incorrect, escaping does not solve anything. Hester did not want to leave because her sin was part of who she was, “Here had been her sin; here, her sorrow; and here was yet to be her penitence” (234). By staying in Boston, Hester was reminded of her sin. She would always be repenting for it.
When everyone knows your worst, you can only get better. Hester transmuted the meaning of the letter “A” from adulterous to able. She comforted all sinners and continued her charitable work. Hester imagined herself as a prophetess whose message was that, “at some brighter period, when the world should have grown veiled, in Heaven’s own time, a new truth would be revealed, in order to establish the whole relation between man and woman on a surer ground of mutual happiness” (235). She was a symbol of hope for all other sinners.
Unlike Hester, Reverend Dimmesdale chose to hide his sin, because, by publically admitting his sins, he would be going against everything he stood for. However, it is evident that by keeping everything inside, Dimmesdale was tortured physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Dimmesdale’s soul was eaten away with guilt. Dimmesdale constantly thought about his sins. He starved himself and physically tortured himself. He wanted the people to know so badly, he tried to incorporate a confession into almost every sermon. His attempts failed miserably and only caused the people to appreciate him more. Unlike Hester, who found joy in her daughter and sewing, Dimmesdale found no joy at all. Dimmesdale made it clear to Hester that his suffering was worse than hers, “Were I an atheist, - a man devoid of conscience,- a wretch with coarse and brutal instincts,- I might have found peace, long ere now… Hester, I am most miserable!” (172). Chillingworth’s medicine saved Dimmesdale’s life, but his soul was still dying. The medicine Dimmesdale needed to save his soul was confession.
At the hour of his death, Dimmesdale was grateful for all the torture he went through. It would save him in the end because the pain he went through on earth would be enough to get him into heaven: “By bringing me hither, to die this death of triumphant ignominy before the people! Had either of these agonies been wanting, I had been lost forever! Praised be His name! His will be done!” (229). Everything Dimmesdale kept inside: his torment, his guilt, and his agony, led up to his death. He died hoping his message would reach everyone. If he had not publically borne his sin, he would have failed to get a final message across, “After exhausting life in his efforts for mankind’s spiritual good, he had made the manner of his death a parable, in order to impress on his admirers the mighty and mournful lesson, that, in the view of Infinite Purity, we are sinners all alike” (231). We are all sinners and can all be forgiven if we ask.
John Proctor from The Crucible chose to privately deal with his sins. His wife, Elizabeth, was the only one who knew. Proctor’s failure to confess resulted in hundreds of people being unfairly persecuted. If Proctor chose to publicly bear his sins from the beginning, he would have saved innocent lives. Speaking the truth is difficult, but what is often the most difficult is most successful. Once your sin is out, you have nothing to fear. When Proctor realized speaking the truth would defeat his enemy’s purpose, he confessed in front of a large crowd. Publicly confessing also allowed Proctor to realize an important lesson. He learned that God is the final and ultimate judge: “I have confessed myself! Is there no good penitence but it be public? God does not need my name nailed upon the church! God sees my name; God knows how black my sins are! It is enough!” (Miller 142). Proctor can freely accept his death because he knows God forgives him.
Unlike Hester who escaped the town and returned shortly after, Abigail Williams, from The Crucible, escaped and never returned. Out of the four sinners, she was the only one to never declare her sins publicly. Along with that, she was also the only one who was never tortured or tormented by internal guilt. This would imply that dealing with sins privately is the best option and most successful. However, Abigail was far from being successful. She turned to the most degrading position in society, a lascivious prostitute. This proved that not only was Abigail loathed by others, but her dignity and self-respect were lost as well.
We are also reassured in The Scarlet Letter that it does not matter where you are; your sin will follow you everywhere. Dimmesdale and Hester believed Europe was the answer to their prayers. However, as Hester and Dimmesdale learned, Chillingworth planned to come along. There would be no happy ending until Dimmesdale repented, as long as his sin was around Chillingworth was around, and with Chillingworth came torture.
Abigail should have learned her lesson through the people she persecuted. They failed to confess to being witches, and as a result, “they [hung] for silence” (143). Nothing good ever came out of being silent. Although, Abigail escaped Salem, she could not escape God’s wrath. Her uncle Parris warned her of this, “Now look you, child, your punishment will come in its time” (10). Instead of being tortured on earth for a few years, Abigail would be tortured in hell for all eternity.
In the Puritanical societies of Boston and Salem, religion was the foundation of society. If their faith was the center of their life, they would have been able to understand and interpret The Bible. In the Gospel of Luke it clearly states, “Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the person through whom they occur… If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him” (Luke16: 1-3). Dimmesdale clearly understood this when leaving his message for Hester and the townspeople. We are all sinners, but if we repent we will be forgiven. How we respond to the sin will either separate or bring us closer to God.
Given that The Bible was the most important part of their lives, it is appropriate to compare Dimmesdale and Abigail to two essential people in Jesus’ ministry. First, we can relate Dimmesdale to Peter. Jesus predicted that Peter would deny him three times before the cock crows. Peter ensured Jesus he would never do such a thing; however, as Peter was sitting outside the courtyard he was asked if he was a follower of Jesus. Three times, he faced this question. Every single time, Peter disowned Jesus. Likewise, Dimmesdale disowned Hester and Pearl. After, Peter realized his sin, he wept bitterly. Dimmesdale also wept bitterly at his confession on the scaffold. Because Peter repented, Jesus forgave him. Not only did he forgive him, but he chose him to be the leader of the early church. Peter was to be an example of how to live and to strengthen and encourage other followers. Similarly, the people looked at Dimmesdale as an example. They were inspired by his sermons and teachings, and Dimmesdale’s final message was that God is the final judge. This message was to be remembered and cherished forever.
Another important character from this story was Judas, the traitor. Abigail and Judas share several of the same characteristics. Judas, “went, and discoursed with the chief priests and the magistrates, how he might betray [Jesus] to them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. And he promised. And he sought opportunity to betray him in the absence of the multitude” (Luke 22: 3-6). Judas was looking out only for himself. He failed to speak the truth. Abigail also failed to speak the truth: “I have been hurt, Mr. Danforth; I have seen my blood runnin’ out! I have been near to murdered every day because I done my duty pointing out the Devil’s people – and this is my reward? To be mistrusted, denied, questioned” (108). Abigail, like Judas, was only looking out for herself. After the town knew her sin, she fled as soon as she could. Both Peter and Judas committed a similar sin. Abigail and Dimmesdale also committed a similar sin. How they each handled the sin contrasted greatly. To the Christians, Judas is looked upon as the worst sinner of all because he failed to repent. However, Peter became a saint and is the most respected of Jesus’ disciples. Abigail’s failure to admit her sins makes her most like Judas, therefore, making her the most detestable sinner.
Knowing God forgives all sinners, no matter how bad the sin, there is no reason not to publically confess. Hester transformed the meaning of the worst symbol in Boston to one of the best. She was rewarded at her final resting place in King’s Chapel, where the High Priests were buried. This proves that the initial sin is not important; what is important is how we deal with the sin. Dimmesdale and Proctor both taught one of the most important lessons. God is the final and ultimate judge. It does not matter what others think of us, only God. Those who are honest will prevail; whereas, those who conceal their sins, like Abigail, will be rewarded only in hell. “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (James 5:16).
Monday, January 5, 2009
The Scarlet Letter 12: 221-235
Chapter 23 and 24
“Yes; their minister whom they so loved- and who so loved them all, that he could not depart heavenward without a sigh- had the foreboding of untimely death upon him, and would soon leave them in their tears” (222)!
All hope for Dimmesdale leaving the town with Hester is lost. Escaping to Europe will not free Dimmesdale from his guilt. Regardless of where he is, God will always be watching him. Unless he repents for his sins he will never be forgiven. After giving the best sermon of his life, in which he inspired and influenced all the townspeople, Dimmesdale feels obligated to tell the truth. His sermon which, “was his mission to foretell a high and glorious destiny for the newly gathered people of the Lord” (222), cannot be based on a lie. Everyone knew Dimmesdale’s death was approaching; however, they never imagined it would happen the way it did.
“Be true! Be true! Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred” (231)!
The most important lesson we learn from Dimmesdale’s tragic experience is to always tell the truth. Dimmesdale’s failure to confess caused him to suffer so much, it cost him his life. Through wearing the scarlet letter, Hester’s sin was visible to anyone who saw her. She was confessing everyday. Although she suffered, she felt less guilt then Dimmesdale. If everyone knows your worst, you can only get better. Hester changed the meaning of the letter A, from Adulterous to Able. Hester was able to comfort and console all other sinners. Dimmesdale’s attempts to confess failed and made him appear saint like. The people's respect for him, caused him even more pain. If Dimmesdale had been honest from the beginning he would have saved his life.
Ethereal: Light, airy, or tenuous; Extremely delicate or refined; Heavenly or celestial; Of or pertaining to the upper regions of space (dictionary.com)
"The angel and apostle of the coming revelation must be a woman indeed, but lofty pure, and beautiful; and wise, moreover, not through dusky grief, but the ethereal medium of joy; and showing how sacred love should make us happy, by the truest test of a life successful to such an end" (235)!
Countenance: appearance, especially the look or expression of the face (dictionary.com)
"Old Roger Chillingworth knelt down beside him, with a black, dull countenance, out of which the life seemed to have departed" (228).
“Yes; their minister whom they so loved- and who so loved them all, that he could not depart heavenward without a sigh- had the foreboding of untimely death upon him, and would soon leave them in their tears” (222)!
All hope for Dimmesdale leaving the town with Hester is lost. Escaping to Europe will not free Dimmesdale from his guilt. Regardless of where he is, God will always be watching him. Unless he repents for his sins he will never be forgiven. After giving the best sermon of his life, in which he inspired and influenced all the townspeople, Dimmesdale feels obligated to tell the truth. His sermon which, “was his mission to foretell a high and glorious destiny for the newly gathered people of the Lord” (222), cannot be based on a lie. Everyone knew Dimmesdale’s death was approaching; however, they never imagined it would happen the way it did.
“Be true! Be true! Show freely to the world, if not your worst, yet some trait whereby the worst may be inferred” (231)!
The most important lesson we learn from Dimmesdale’s tragic experience is to always tell the truth. Dimmesdale’s failure to confess caused him to suffer so much, it cost him his life. Through wearing the scarlet letter, Hester’s sin was visible to anyone who saw her. She was confessing everyday. Although she suffered, she felt less guilt then Dimmesdale. If everyone knows your worst, you can only get better. Hester changed the meaning of the letter A, from Adulterous to Able. Hester was able to comfort and console all other sinners. Dimmesdale’s attempts to confess failed and made him appear saint like. The people's respect for him, caused him even more pain. If Dimmesdale had been honest from the beginning he would have saved his life.
Ethereal: Light, airy, or tenuous; Extremely delicate or refined; Heavenly or celestial; Of or pertaining to the upper regions of space (dictionary.com)
"The angel and apostle of the coming revelation must be a woman indeed, but lofty pure, and beautiful; and wise, moreover, not through dusky grief, but the ethereal medium of joy; and showing how sacred love should make us happy, by the truest test of a life successful to such an end" (235)!
Countenance: appearance, especially the look or expression of the face (dictionary.com)
"Old Roger Chillingworth knelt down beside him, with a black, dull countenance, out of which the life seemed to have departed" (228).
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Chapter 22: The Procession
-The Election Day procession begins with music playing. The soldiers are the first to enter the marketplace, followed by the governors, and finally Reverend Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale changed significantly; Pearl and Hester hardly recognize him. He has his health, energy, and strength back.
~“He saw nothing, heard nothing, knew nothing, of what was around him; but the spiritual element took up the feeble frame, and carried it along, unconscious of the burden, and converting it to spirit like itself” (214).
~“Her spirit sank with the idea that all must have been a delusion, and that, vividly as she had dreamed it, there could be no real bond betwixt the clergyman and herself” (214).
-Mistress Hibbins speaks with Hester and Pearl. She tells them it is easy for her to recognize a sinner and Dimmesdale’s sin will soon be clear to everyone.
~“When the Black Man sees one of his own servants, signed and sealed, so shy of owning to the bond as is Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale, he hath a way of ordering matters so that the mark shall be disclosed in open daylight to the eyes of all the world! ( 217)
-As Hester listens to Dimmesdale’s sermon Pearl wanders off. As she walks among the crowd, she is stopped by the ship’s captain. He asks her to give her mother a message:
~“Then tell her that I spake again with the black-a-visage, hump-shouldered old doctor, and he engages to bring his friend, the gentleman she wots of, aboard with him. So let thy mother take no though, save for herself and thee” ( 220).
-After Hester hears this, she realizes everyone including the Native Americans, the sailors, and the citizens are staring at her. The looks she noticed on the scaffold were the same as seven years ago when she first received her punishment.
~“At the final hour, when she was so soon to fling aside the burning letter, it had strangely become the centre of more remark and excitement, and was thus made to sear her breast more painfully, than at any time since the first day she put it on” (221).
~“He saw nothing, heard nothing, knew nothing, of what was around him; but the spiritual element took up the feeble frame, and carried it along, unconscious of the burden, and converting it to spirit like itself” (214).
~“Her spirit sank with the idea that all must have been a delusion, and that, vividly as she had dreamed it, there could be no real bond betwixt the clergyman and herself” (214).
-Mistress Hibbins speaks with Hester and Pearl. She tells them it is easy for her to recognize a sinner and Dimmesdale’s sin will soon be clear to everyone.
~“When the Black Man sees one of his own servants, signed and sealed, so shy of owning to the bond as is Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale, he hath a way of ordering matters so that the mark shall be disclosed in open daylight to the eyes of all the world! ( 217)
-As Hester listens to Dimmesdale’s sermon Pearl wanders off. As she walks among the crowd, she is stopped by the ship’s captain. He asks her to give her mother a message:
~“Then tell her that I spake again with the black-a-visage, hump-shouldered old doctor, and he engages to bring his friend, the gentleman she wots of, aboard with him. So let thy mother take no though, save for herself and thee” ( 220).
-After Hester hears this, she realizes everyone including the Native Americans, the sailors, and the citizens are staring at her. The looks she noticed on the scaffold were the same as seven years ago when she first received her punishment.
~“At the final hour, when she was so soon to fling aside the burning letter, it had strangely become the centre of more remark and excitement, and was thus made to sear her breast more painfully, than at any time since the first day she put it on” (221).
Chapter 21: The New England Holiday
-Hester and Pearl enter the market place to watch new officials assume office. She is excited to leave the town and restart her life
~“A few hours longer, and the deep mysterious ocean will quench and hide forever the symbol which ye have caused to burn upon her bosom!” (203)
-Pearl continues to ask her mother questions. She is confused by the minister and why he avoids them in daylight.
~“A strange, sad man he is, with his hand always over his heart!” (205)
-Hester and Dimmesdale’s plan to escape town is ruined by Roger Chillingworth.
~“Roger Chillingworth, the physician, was seen to enter the market-place, in close and familiar talk with the commander of the questionable vessel” (209).
~“Chillingworth, he calls himself- is minded to try my cabin-fare with you? Ay, ay, you must have known if; for he tells me he is of your party, and a close friend to the gentleman you spoke of,- he that is in peril from these sour old Puritan rulers!” (210)
~"Chillingworth, himself, standing in the remotest corner of the market-place, and smiling on her; a smile which conveyed secret and fearful meaning” (211).
~“A few hours longer, and the deep mysterious ocean will quench and hide forever the symbol which ye have caused to burn upon her bosom!” (203)
-Pearl continues to ask her mother questions. She is confused by the minister and why he avoids them in daylight.
~“A strange, sad man he is, with his hand always over his heart!” (205)
-Hester and Dimmesdale’s plan to escape town is ruined by Roger Chillingworth.
~“Roger Chillingworth, the physician, was seen to enter the market-place, in close and familiar talk with the commander of the questionable vessel” (209).
~“Chillingworth, he calls himself- is minded to try my cabin-fare with you? Ay, ay, you must have known if; for he tells me he is of your party, and a close friend to the gentleman you spoke of,- he that is in peril from these sour old Puritan rulers!” (210)
~"Chillingworth, himself, standing in the remotest corner of the market-place, and smiling on her; a smile which conveyed secret and fearful meaning” (211).
Chapter 20: The Minister in a Maze
-Reverend Dimmesdale returned to the town as a new person with a new perception on life. Hester’s plan is finalized. They will take a ship to England in four days. Dimmesdale is excited about this because he has time to preach his Election Sermon.
-Although he was not gone for long everything appears differently to him.
~“This phenomenon, in the various shapes which it assumed, indicated no external change, but so sudden and important a change in the spectator of the familiar scene, that the intervening space of a single day had operated on his consciousness like the laps of years” (195).
-“At every step he was incited to do some strange, wild, wicked thing or other, with a sense that it would be at once involuntary and intentional; in spite of himself, yet growing out of a profounder self than that which opposed the impulse” (195).
-Dimmesdale questions why he is being haunted and tempted. In doing so, old Mistress Hibbins approaches him and invites him to the forest. She believes he is a follower of the devil and admires him for keeping it a secret.
~“Well, well, we must needs talk thus in the daytime! You carry it off like an old hand! But at midnight, and in the forest, we shall have other talk together!” (199)
~“Tempted by a dream of happiness, he had yielded himself, with deliberate choice, as he had never done before, to what he knew was deadly” (199.)
~“And his encounter with old Mistress Hibbins, if it were a real incident, did but show his sympathy and fellowship with wicked mortals, and the world of perverted spirits” (199).
-Dimmesdale goes back to his home where Chillingworth offers him medicine. Dimmesdale does not accept it and goes straight to writing his election speech.
~“The physician knew then, that, in the minister’s regard, he was no longer a trusted friend, but his bitterest enemy” (201).
-Although he was not gone for long everything appears differently to him.
~“This phenomenon, in the various shapes which it assumed, indicated no external change, but so sudden and important a change in the spectator of the familiar scene, that the intervening space of a single day had operated on his consciousness like the laps of years” (195).
-“At every step he was incited to do some strange, wild, wicked thing or other, with a sense that it would be at once involuntary and intentional; in spite of himself, yet growing out of a profounder self than that which opposed the impulse” (195).
-Dimmesdale questions why he is being haunted and tempted. In doing so, old Mistress Hibbins approaches him and invites him to the forest. She believes he is a follower of the devil and admires him for keeping it a secret.
~“Well, well, we must needs talk thus in the daytime! You carry it off like an old hand! But at midnight, and in the forest, we shall have other talk together!” (199)
~“Tempted by a dream of happiness, he had yielded himself, with deliberate choice, as he had never done before, to what he knew was deadly” (199.)
~“And his encounter with old Mistress Hibbins, if it were a real incident, did but show his sympathy and fellowship with wicked mortals, and the world of perverted spirits” (199).
-Dimmesdale goes back to his home where Chillingworth offers him medicine. Dimmesdale does not accept it and goes straight to writing his election speech.
~“The physician knew then, that, in the minister’s regard, he was no longer a trusted friend, but his bitterest enemy” (201).
Chapter 19: The Child at the Brook-Side
-Hester is excited for Dimmesdale to meet Pearl. She calls for her and Pearl slowly approaches. It is clear that Pearl is Dimmesdale’s daughter because of their close facial resemblance.
~“that my own features were partly repeated in her face, and so strikingly that the world might see them!” “In her was visible the tie that united them” (186).
-Pearl is slow to cross the brook and Dimmesdale fears she won’t like him.
~“Arthur Dimmesdale felt the child’s eyes upon himself, his hand-with that gesture so habitual as to have become involuntary- stole over his heart” (188).
-Pearl refuses to cross the brook and points her finger at her mother. She likes seeing her mother with the scarlet letter. Only after Hester puts the scarlet letter on Pearl is willing to cooperate.
~“Children will not abide any, the slightest change in the accustomed aspect of things that are daily before their eyes. Pearl misses something which she has always seen me wear” (189).
~“Pearl put up her mouth, and kissed the scarlet letter too!” (190)
-Hester tells Pearl about their plans for the future, but Pearl is not pleased with them or Dimmesdale.
~“We will have a home and fireside of our own; and thou shalt sit upon his knee; and he will teach thee many things, and love thee dearly. Thou wilt love him; wilt thou not?” (191)
~“Pearl would show no favor to the clergyman” (191).
~“Pearl broke away from her mother, and, running to the brook, stopped over it, and bathed her forehead, until the unwelcome kiss was quite washed off, and diffused through a long lapse of the gliding water” (191).
~“that my own features were partly repeated in her face, and so strikingly that the world might see them!” “In her was visible the tie that united them” (186).
-Pearl is slow to cross the brook and Dimmesdale fears she won’t like him.
~“Arthur Dimmesdale felt the child’s eyes upon himself, his hand-with that gesture so habitual as to have become involuntary- stole over his heart” (188).
-Pearl refuses to cross the brook and points her finger at her mother. She likes seeing her mother with the scarlet letter. Only after Hester puts the scarlet letter on Pearl is willing to cooperate.
~“Children will not abide any, the slightest change in the accustomed aspect of things that are daily before their eyes. Pearl misses something which she has always seen me wear” (189).
~“Pearl put up her mouth, and kissed the scarlet letter too!” (190)
-Hester tells Pearl about their plans for the future, but Pearl is not pleased with them or Dimmesdale.
~“We will have a home and fireside of our own; and thou shalt sit upon his knee; and he will teach thee many things, and love thee dearly. Thou wilt love him; wilt thou not?” (191)
~“Pearl would show no favor to the clergyman” (191).
~“Pearl broke away from her mother, and, running to the brook, stopped over it, and bathed her forehead, until the unwelcome kiss was quite washed off, and diffused through a long lapse of the gliding water” (191).
Chapter 18: A Flood of Sunshine
-The only way for Hester and Dimmesdale to find happiness is to leave the town together.
~“The scarlet letter was her passport into regions where other women dared not trend. Shame, Despair, Solitude! These had been her teachers,-stern and wild ones,- and they had made her strong, but taught her much amiss” (180).
~“If this be the path to a better life, as Hester would persuade me, I surely give up no fairer prospect by pursuing it!” (181)
-Hester takes the scarlet letter off her chest, lets her hair down, and smiles. She has gained her beauty back and the sun is no longer hiding from her.
~“She undid the clasp that fastened the scarlet letter, and, taking it from her bosom, threw it to a distance among the withered leaves” (182).
~“All at once, as with a sudden smile of heaven, forth burst the sunshine, pouring a very flood into the obscure forest, gladdening each green leaf, transmuting the yellow fallen ones to gold, and gleaming adown the gray trunks of the solemn trees” (183).
~“Love, whether newly born, or aroused from a deathlike slumber must always create a sunshine, filling the heart so full of radiance, that it overflows upon the outward world” (183).
-Hester wants Dimmesdale to meet Pearl, so he can love her as much as she does. Dimmesdale is apprehensive about meeting Pearl, because most children don’t like him.
~ “I have long shrunk away from children, because they often show a distrust,- a backwardness to be familiar with me, I have even been afraid of little Pearl!” (183)
~“The scarlet letter was her passport into regions where other women dared not trend. Shame, Despair, Solitude! These had been her teachers,-stern and wild ones,- and they had made her strong, but taught her much amiss” (180).
~“If this be the path to a better life, as Hester would persuade me, I surely give up no fairer prospect by pursuing it!” (181)
-Hester takes the scarlet letter off her chest, lets her hair down, and smiles. She has gained her beauty back and the sun is no longer hiding from her.
~“She undid the clasp that fastened the scarlet letter, and, taking it from her bosom, threw it to a distance among the withered leaves” (182).
~“All at once, as with a sudden smile of heaven, forth burst the sunshine, pouring a very flood into the obscure forest, gladdening each green leaf, transmuting the yellow fallen ones to gold, and gleaming adown the gray trunks of the solemn trees” (183).
~“Love, whether newly born, or aroused from a deathlike slumber must always create a sunshine, filling the heart so full of radiance, that it overflows upon the outward world” (183).
-Hester wants Dimmesdale to meet Pearl, so he can love her as much as she does. Dimmesdale is apprehensive about meeting Pearl, because most children don’t like him.
~ “I have long shrunk away from children, because they often show a distrust,- a backwardness to be familiar with me, I have even been afraid of little Pearl!” (183)
Chapter 17: The Pastor and His Parishioner
-Dimmesdale and Hester meet secretly in the forest away from the town. At first they question each other’s existence. They then discuss what has happened to them in the past seven years.
~“Were I an atheist,- a man devoid of conscience,- a wretch with coarse and brutal instincts,- I might have found peace, long ere now… Hester, I am most miserable!” (172)
-Hester admits to Dimmesdale that Chillingworth was her husband. Hester’s failure to tell Dimmesdale the truth allowed Chillingworth to torture him longer.
~“Thou hast long had such an enemy, and dwellest with him, under the same roof! (173)
~“But a lie is never good, even though death threaten on the other side! Dost thou not see what I would say? That old man!- the physician!- he whom they call Roger Chillingworth!- he was my husband!” (175)
~“That eternal alienation from the Good and True, of which madness is perhaps the earthly type” (174).
-Dimmesdale is angered by Hester and blames her for his suffering
~“Never was there a blacker or a fiercer frown than Hester now encountered. For the brief space that it lasted, it was a dark transfiguration” ( 175).
~“Woman, Woman, thou art accountable for this! I cannot forgive thee!”(175)
-Dimmesdale forgives her, realizing they are not the worst sinners in the world, Chillingworth is.
~“May God forgive us both! We are not, Hester, the worst sinners in the world. There is one worse than even the polluted priest! That old man’s revenge has been blacker than my sin” (176).
-Dimmesdale fears Chillingworth will not, “continue, then, to keep our secret" (177).
~"What will now be the course of his revenge?” (177)
-Hester suggests they move far away to Europe and get away from the town. Hester encourages him to not give up.
~“There thou art free! So brief a journey would bring thee from a world where thou hast been most wretched, to one where thou mayest still be happy! ( 178)
~“Were I an atheist,- a man devoid of conscience,- a wretch with coarse and brutal instincts,- I might have found peace, long ere now… Hester, I am most miserable!” (172)
-Hester admits to Dimmesdale that Chillingworth was her husband. Hester’s failure to tell Dimmesdale the truth allowed Chillingworth to torture him longer.
~“Thou hast long had such an enemy, and dwellest with him, under the same roof! (173)
~“But a lie is never good, even though death threaten on the other side! Dost thou not see what I would say? That old man!- the physician!- he whom they call Roger Chillingworth!- he was my husband!” (175)
~“That eternal alienation from the Good and True, of which madness is perhaps the earthly type” (174).
-Dimmesdale is angered by Hester and blames her for his suffering
~“Never was there a blacker or a fiercer frown than Hester now encountered. For the brief space that it lasted, it was a dark transfiguration” ( 175).
~“Woman, Woman, thou art accountable for this! I cannot forgive thee!”(175)
-Dimmesdale forgives her, realizing they are not the worst sinners in the world, Chillingworth is.
~“May God forgive us both! We are not, Hester, the worst sinners in the world. There is one worse than even the polluted priest! That old man’s revenge has been blacker than my sin” (176).
-Dimmesdale fears Chillingworth will not, “continue, then, to keep our secret" (177).
~"What will now be the course of his revenge?” (177)
-Hester suggests they move far away to Europe and get away from the town. Hester encourages him to not give up.
~“There thou art free! So brief a journey would bring thee from a world where thou hast been most wretched, to one where thou mayest still be happy! ( 178)
Chapter 16: A Forest Walk
-Hester was determined to tell Dimmesdale the truth.
~“Hester Prynne remained constant in her resolve to make known to Mr. Dimmesdale, at whatever risk of present pain or ulterior consequences, the true character of the man who had crept into his intimacy” (164).
-On their way to meet Dimmesdale, Pearl tried to catch the sun. There is no “sunshine” or happiness in Hester’s life, therefore, the sunshine hides from her.
~“the sunshine does not love you. It runs away and hides itself, because it is afraid of something on your bosom… It will not flee from me, for I wear nothing on my bosom yet!” (165)
-Pearl wanted to learn as much as she can about the “Black Man”. She fears her mother will be meeting him, but is informed it is only Reverend Dimmesdale.
~“And, mother, the old dame said that this scarlet letter was the Black Man’s mark on thee, and that it glows like a red flame when thou meetest him at midnight, here in the dark wood” (167).
~“Once in my life I met the Black Man!” “This scarlet letter is his mark!” (168)
-Characteristics of Pearl:
~“Pearl resembled the brook, inasmuch, as the current of her life gushed from a well-spring as mysterious, and had flowed through scenes shadowed as heavily with gloom. But, unlike the little stream, she danced and sparkled, and prattled airily along her course” (169).
-Characteristics of Dimmesdale:
~“He looked haggard and feeble, and betrayed a nerveless despondency in his air, which had never so remarkably characterized him in his walks about the settlement” (170).
~“Death was too definite an object to be wished for or avoided” (170).
~“Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale exhibited no symptom of positive and vivacious suffering, except that, as little Pearl had remarked, he kept his hand over his heart” (170).
~“Hester Prynne remained constant in her resolve to make known to Mr. Dimmesdale, at whatever risk of present pain or ulterior consequences, the true character of the man who had crept into his intimacy” (164).
-On their way to meet Dimmesdale, Pearl tried to catch the sun. There is no “sunshine” or happiness in Hester’s life, therefore, the sunshine hides from her.
~“the sunshine does not love you. It runs away and hides itself, because it is afraid of something on your bosom… It will not flee from me, for I wear nothing on my bosom yet!” (165)
-Pearl wanted to learn as much as she can about the “Black Man”. She fears her mother will be meeting him, but is informed it is only Reverend Dimmesdale.
~“And, mother, the old dame said that this scarlet letter was the Black Man’s mark on thee, and that it glows like a red flame when thou meetest him at midnight, here in the dark wood” (167).
~“Once in my life I met the Black Man!” “This scarlet letter is his mark!” (168)
-Characteristics of Pearl:
~“Pearl resembled the brook, inasmuch, as the current of her life gushed from a well-spring as mysterious, and had flowed through scenes shadowed as heavily with gloom. But, unlike the little stream, she danced and sparkled, and prattled airily along her course” (169).
-Characteristics of Dimmesdale:
~“He looked haggard and feeble, and betrayed a nerveless despondency in his air, which had never so remarkably characterized him in his walks about the settlement” (170).
~“Death was too definite an object to be wished for or avoided” (170).
~“Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale exhibited no symptom of positive and vivacious suffering, except that, as little Pearl had remarked, he kept his hand over his heart” (170).
Chapter 15: Hester and Pearl
-Hester hates Chillingworth and cannot believe she married him
~“She marveled how she could ever have been wrought upon to marry him! (159)
~“Yes, I hate him!” “He betrayed me! He has done me worse wrong than I did him!” (159)
-While Hester was talking with Chillingworth, Pearl entertained herself by throwing pebbles at birds, looking at her reflection, and pretending to be a mermaid.
-Hoping her mother would tell her what the letter meant, Pearl used seaweed to write the letter “A” on her chest.
~“The child bent her chin upon her breast, and contemplated this device with strange interest; even as if the one only thing for which she had been sent into the world was to make out its hidden import” (161).
-Pearl is eager to find the meaning of the letter. She connects the rubbing of Reverend Dimmesdale’s heart to the scarlet letter.
~“It is for the same reason that the minister keeps his hand over his heart!” (161)
-When asked for the meaning, Hester wanted to share with her daughter, but thinks she is too young. Pearl, not satisfied with the answer she receives, continues to ask this question until her mother threatens her.
~“What know I of the minister’s heart? And as for the scarlet letter, I wear it for the sake of its gold-thread” (163).
~“Hester Prynne had never before been false to the symbol on her bosom” (163).
~ “Hold thy tongue, naughty child!” “Do not tease me, else I shall shut thee into the dark closet!” (164)
~“She marveled how she could ever have been wrought upon to marry him! (159)
~“Yes, I hate him!” “He betrayed me! He has done me worse wrong than I did him!” (159)
-While Hester was talking with Chillingworth, Pearl entertained herself by throwing pebbles at birds, looking at her reflection, and pretending to be a mermaid.
-Hoping her mother would tell her what the letter meant, Pearl used seaweed to write the letter “A” on her chest.
~“The child bent her chin upon her breast, and contemplated this device with strange interest; even as if the one only thing for which she had been sent into the world was to make out its hidden import” (161).
-Pearl is eager to find the meaning of the letter. She connects the rubbing of Reverend Dimmesdale’s heart to the scarlet letter.
~“It is for the same reason that the minister keeps his hand over his heart!” (161)
-When asked for the meaning, Hester wanted to share with her daughter, but thinks she is too young. Pearl, not satisfied with the answer she receives, continues to ask this question until her mother threatens her.
~“What know I of the minister’s heart? And as for the scarlet letter, I wear it for the sake of its gold-thread” (163).
~“Hester Prynne had never before been false to the symbol on her bosom” (163).
~ “Hold thy tongue, naughty child!” “Do not tease me, else I shall shut thee into the dark closet!” (164)
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