huck finn

so, for my essay i am planning on stating that huckleberry finn is a racist novel, hovever it should be tought in school. huck finn teaches students about the severity of racial intolerance, or if it does not teach them about it, huck finn definetely engrains intolerance more solidly into a students mind. i do think that the teaching of huck finn should be partenered with a us history class (like this year), this way the book can more easily be put into context. also during the time that this bok was set, racial slurs were the common way to refer to people of a race other than your own.

Huck Finn-Zero Draft

I plan to take a slightly different approach for my essay.... Huckleberry Finn is one of the most controversial books in history. It seems there will always be an attack against it whether it's the supposed racism or even the alleged remarks that there are homosexual occurences between Jim and Huck. Besides these points I still feel Huckleberry Finn should be a part of high school and college curriculum.

My main argument will be how I see Huckleberry Finn as mirroring America' s problems and obstacles (both past and present). This covers a large spectrum of the books controversy...
In terms of racism, I view the book as sort of having both, similarly our nation has both. The character in the novel are very diverse but somehow Huck manages to find a way to accept them all the way they are. Everyone from Tom (represents sort of a close minded, by the book aspect of society) to the King and the Duke (represent outcasts who have issues fitting in and resort to crime) I may do more character analysis or less..... Through this I can ultimately see that diversity can lead to tolerance....on occasion this is apparent in America as well. As well as the fact that though the ending is messy America is similarly confusing and disorganized at times.
*for this section i want to use quotes from the novel examplifying these points....

Another section will probably use quotes from critics to both agree and disagree with my main points .....Trilling maybe.....who else?

Its super rough....and i'll probably have to narrow down my argument but i am definitely open to suggestions :)

Huckleberry Finn- Zero Draft

I plan to take a slightly different approach for my essay.... Huckleberry Finn is one of the most controversial books in history. It seems there will always be an attack against it whether it's the supposed racism or even the alleged remarks that there are homosexual occurences between Jim and Huck. Besides these points I still feel Huckleberry Finn should be a part of high school and college curriculum.

My main argument will be how I see Huckleberry Finn as mirroring America' s problems and obstacles (both past and present). This covers a large spectrum of the books controversy...
In terms of racism, I view the book as sort of having both, similarly our nation has both. The character in the novel are very diverse but somehow Huck manages to find a way to accept them all the way they are. Everyone from Tom (represents sort of a close minded, by the book aspect of society) to the King and the Duke (represent outcasts who have issues fitting in and resort to crime) I may do more character analysis or less..... Through this I can ultimately see that diversity can lead to tolerance....on occasion this is apparent in America as well. As well as the fact that though the ending is messy America is similarly confusing and disorganized at times.
*for this section i want to use quotes from the novel examplifying these points....

Another section will probably use quotes from critics to both agree and disagree with my main points .....Trilling maybe.....who else?

Its super rough....and i'll probably have to narrow down my argument but i am definitely open to suggestions :)

Zero Draft

I am going to write this essay on how I think that the book Huckleberry Finn is not racist and that it should be taught in schools. I think that this book has many issues that people in today's society to not agree with. I do not think it is racist because it was how people acted back then and how people talked. I think that it should be taught because reading the book to others or reading it alone or someone reading it to you will help teach how the ways of life are totally different then how they are today. I remember how my mom taught me about slavery when I was younger and how I asked why most of them had colored skin and why people called them mean names. She explained it to me, and told me that it was how thing were back then and if we did not have books like this to teach us about history then we would not know anything about the olden days. I think that it is important to realize that the references that we have are important and influence how we live our lives today.

I think that these topics I have chose to write my essay on will be easy to create a strong argument. I also have gathered a lot of notes from the documentary we have watched so I hope this is a good start. If anyone has any feed back I would love it :) thanks!

Zero draft

Ok, so for my essay I'm going to write that the book is racist, that it is an extraordinarily flawed book but that, beside these points, it should be taught in school.

For proving that the book is racist I might talk a bit about the word n****r being used throughout the book but show how how this was typical for the time period and not racist, just accurate. BUT, the real reason the book was racist was the way Jim's character is abandoned in the end. The way he becomes "just another dumb n****r" at the end compared to being a true character shows how Twaine didn't want to spend the time to care about his main black character. In this uncaring the book becomes racist.

With very carefully thought out lesson plans, the book can be very helpful to be taught in school. The book can show a fairly accurate depiction of the time period and introduce the subject of racial relations in the 1800s. The real value in the book however, is learning by observing Mark Twain's use of writing. Even if the kids take no more out of the book than, "if you start writing a book you should have some sort of ending in mind," that is an important point. Looking at the way Twain's writing varies (the beginning of the novel, the amazingly fluid river scenes, and then the LOOOONNNNGGGG drawn out terrible ending) can give students good ideas on how to be an effective writer.

For points from the book I'll use sections from each of the three sections to illustrate their racism as well as how that can be useful to teach students. I'll probably quote a lot of Lionel Trilling as well as T.S. Elliot to show what they praise(or at least excuse) in the end of the book should really be criticized and taught as a racist failure. I would also like to expand on Smiley's idea that being an anti-slavery book takes more than simply having the main character acknowledge that blacks are people too. This can be an important point in proving that even when Twain was trying to make Jim a full character on the river, he still failed to prove an anti-slavery point.

Zero Draft

To me personally this book is racist because that is how black people were treated in that time. Throughout the whole novel Mark Twain kept up with this setting of this time period. In my essay i want to focus on how this book is not racist and should not be taught in school. I do not think it should be taught in school because if offends many blacks from the derogatory word choice. Also it offends blacks because Huckleberry and other characters suggest that black people are stupid. For some points in my essay i want to point out the history of this book and how it reflects the past. For example from a scene from the book is when Mrs. Phelps asked if anyone died on the steam boat. Huckleberry replied by saying "No only a nigger." Mrs. Phelps hearing that felt relieved because no "human" died. This is implying that blacks then were not real people.

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Racist but Worth teaching

The argument I intend on making for my essay is that Huck Finn is a racist novel, and it should be taught in school if a teacher presents the novel in the right way.

Huck Finn is racist because it is accurate to the time. Though it is hard to read at times because of how well Twain sticks to the setting, during many scenes where Huck has a decision to make about Jim, it shows him becoming less and less accepting of the societal norm of viewing blacks as inferior. So, even though this book is offending for its use of offensive terms, for the most part it uses that racism against itself to make Huck view blacks as equals. Scenes from the novel that can support this include just after the fog episode, when Huck feels bad for tricking Jim, and when Huck decides to accept possibly going to hell rather than let Jim remain captured near the end. Linoel Trilling, among others, will be great a critic to site when it comes to supporting this point. Mr. Trilling’s words on the change in Huck’s moral character work towards proving that the development the boy supports an antiracist mindset.

This book should be taught in school because of the moral values behind it. If presented in the right light, it may be extremely offensive to many students, but seeing how such racism hurts others could be a wonderful tool in preventing it in the future. As long as the book can be presented before hand with a warning to the racism and controversy that surrounds it, and the teacher is sensitive to how it is effecting the class, the first four-fifths of the book is fine to teach. I feel that most people would want to finish the book, but personally, I feel that ending the book after Jim is captured again would be the best way to teach Huckleberry Fin because after this point the book looses much of its morality. Leo Marx would be a wonderful critic to site for this, because he shares this view with me, thinking that the last part of the book ruins the moral points.

Huck Finn- Human Weakness

I think im going to focus on the idea of human weakness. I'm going to talk about all of the human flaws mentioned in the book, racism, dishonesty, greed, and unfairness. I feel that there are several cases in which the characters develop and overcome these flaws, making the book worth teaching. Although Huck frequently lies throughout the book, he does it to ensure the safety and security of others. He is always concerned about the state of others, before himself, as Lionel Trilling mentions. Huck and Tom tease Jim in the beggining of the book, but eventually Huck sees that it is truly hurting and worrying Jim, so he apologizes. This is a major step and development of Huck's character. He overcomes racism piece by piece, as society continues to be cruel and extremely racist. Another milestone in the book for Huck is when he burns the letter that he writes to Ms. Watson, revealing the whereabouts of Jim. He decides that he doesn't want to screw him over and that Jim is his best friend, regardless of his color. Yes, this book is flawwed and racist, but there are many sections in which Huck overcomes the general sentiment of the racist society. I feel it should be taught because it teaches so many lessons of how people shouldn't act, and how Huck does the right thing even though society labels it as "wrong". Even though the book commonly used the n-word, it was historically accurate. The n word was just another way of saying African American. The bell just rang so i can't type anymore, but these are my general ideas, and i just need to perfect them and get a better consesus of what im writing about. It's kind of unfinished =/

For my essay i am going to write about, how i believe the book is somewhat racist, but i do believe it should be taught in school. I am going to talk about that although there are many racist comments and parts of the book, i wouldn't necessarily classify it as racist, but more of a change in someones view toward black people and how it is gradually transformed throughout the book. for example like Huck transforming feelings for Jim throughout the book. Because of this I believe that this book should indeed to taught in school, cause it shows you how people can overcome and change their opinions about something, weather it be race or something else. I also believe that is should be taught in school because it was indeed the first book of its kind. and it is important for kids to know that. I think i will be taking quotes from throughout the book, that show Huck's changes in his feelings about Jim. so like the beginning when him and tom play a trick on him, then the fog scene, maybe a few scenes with the duke and king, and so on and so on. I am not quite sure what critics i will use yet, but i do know i am definitely going to use different quotes from the movie.

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

The argument I am going to write about is that yes this book is racist, but it should still be part of the high school curriculums. One scene that I am going to use to show that it is a racists book is when Mrs. Phelps asks Huck if there were any people hurt on the steamboat and Huck replies "no only a nigger." And Mrs. Phelps is glad because she says that sometimes people do get hurt. It shows how white people regarded black people as below human, animals. I am also going to reflect on the building of Jim's character and then it crumbles into how white people thought of black people, gullible especially. Huckleberry Finn should be taught in schools because it shows racism in a light way. It uses adventures of two boys and one man, humor, and and simplicity to show racism. It also shows how although racism was a controversy for Huck, he thinks that he is making the wrong decision by saving Jim, and then he decides that he is going to go to hell, he doesn't care. The two main critics that I am going to use are Lionel Trilling and Jane Smiley because they have strong opinions and they oppose each other.

huck finn zero draft

huck finn...
well first of all id like to say that i very much did enjoy this book
with exception to some few plot defects, it offers an adventuress exploitative plot for many that helps draw people into the book. Now this book is undeniable racist. Yes Mark Twain failed to right the perfect book without bias(ohhh no) haha. I am going to argue that this book is undeniable racist and it would be a false monstrosity if it was not racist. he would have to skew, stretch and fantify. U cannot argue that this book shouldn't be taught in school because it is racist. thats like saying we shouldnt teach history because past people choices have offended people its just bullshit. i feel like this book should be taught in high school solely because it generates such controversy.

Realisn, not Racism!

I think that the main point that i am going to adress concerning Huck Finn, is the fact that, the book is no doubt racist. How can it not be? a book set in the early 1800's is almost required to be a racist book, everything back then was set as so. African-Americans were not refered to as blacks or african americans, but n*****s. This is something that there is no getting around, so i am tying to get around that fact. I believe that Huck finn should be taught in schools because this is a very acurate portraytal of the time period of the 1800's, and how life was, nit just concerning the racists aspect. There are many other aspects that contribute to the novels accuracy such as the constant dilema of alcoholism in many characters, the precense and fright over small pox, the shooting scene in the town, and many other scenes that made you imagine the time period, and be able to picture how things were not just for blacks, but for women, childern, and people in general.
I believe that therefore this book should be taught in schools. I also believe that there should be an two sided argument in every classroom. just like mr. lavender has done with our class. DON'T YOU AGREE??!!??!?!?!?!

Huck Finn Zero Draft

My view on this book is that it is a great classic American novel, but regarless to my personal view this novel is unargueably racist and should be taught in school. The racist theme in this novel, although obiviously apparent, and the use of the contorversial term was not meant as a demeaning verbal jab. Nigger was a term used to refer to african-american slaves, it was what they used it wasn't always meant to be condecending and demeaning. If you look past the frequent use of the word the novel doesn't have any strongly racist sections other than that against the "white trash" southerners. Jim is portrayed as a dumb black slave, but also has a loving and commical side where as the white people that Huck comes into contact with over the course of his journey are portrayed as drunk, ignorant, deceiving thieves. The relationship that Huck forms with Jim is also an example of how the racism can be overcome. This novel is some aspects is racists, because of the time period in which it is based, but racism is not the main theme in this novel. As for the book being taught in school I believe that it should, but not because it is an American classic. I don't think that there is too much to learn form the novel itself, other than how it displays the personality traits of the characters throughout the novel. It should be taught in school because of what it brings with it. The view of the controversy that the book creates is more important than the book itself. I will also including sources form what we read and the movie.

racist?

Although I may not feel the same emotions that this book or word may bring up while reading it, it emphasizes the voluminous amount disheartening qualities that humanity faces. We created a slanderous word to demoralize and dehumanize an entire race and we still face the maliciousness of this word in our society today. But should an entire book be censored and taken away from a broad range of schools? No. In the time that this book was written, this word was a very commonly used name. Yes it was meant to demean people, but with the help of racial movements has changed the meaning and amount of usage of that word. For instance, if a history book referenced the usage of the word in our history, then would you ban it? Our history as a nation in some places has been grim, but if we learn about how a word can negatively affect us, we can also learn what not to do in the present and the future. Because we all have issues as the human species and some of these are illustrated in the book. For instance, while Africans are demoralized, we also see some of the malicious traits of white people.

To some, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a racist novel. I can say that these people are crazy because it really is not. The use of the n word is written consistently throughout the novel. This word may offend them, but they should learn to accept that that is how it was back in the day. It was what they called an African-American. I'm going to take my stand saying this book is not racist on the fact that the language and the scenes that occured were accurate of the time.

If anything this novel also teaches good morals. The scene where Hcuk says that he'd go to hell for helping Jim gives a great feeling of toleration. He realized that this runaway slave was the same as him. It also shows the flaws in human nature, such as drunkenness, racism, trickery, and other things that humans do but are not considered good in society.

Like that chick in Culture Shock said, Twain "went for realism." The use of the n word was only historically accurate. Without using it, or making Jim sound like an idiot, the book would suck. The novel needed this elements, no matter if they may seem racist nowadays, to be successful and actually have a meaning.

I'll probably use Lionel Trilling's A Community of Saints to support this argument. He has many points that i agree with and could use

White Boy's Cant Jump... So?

Huckleberry Finn, what an adventure! Oh boy, do I love adventures! But you see, what hampers adventures the most, is when someone has to bring in a political argument that makes everyone agro for the rest of the trip.... What a buzz-kill. So when i finished Huck Finn, i felt bad for Mark Twain (And Im super serial) i mean he wrote this book to make money, okay, fair enough. But he also wrote the book to show his deep love for adventures and the kind of quests he went on when he was a kid. So when people like Ms. freakout from Culture Shock spew their comments about racial intolerance towards this book it makes me mad that the entire adventure is thrown aside to accommodate another argument, and if she had it her way perhaps another lawsuit.
So listen up lady, you can read all the books you want, and the chances are you might dislike some and you might love some, and other people will always have another opinion on the subject. So dont spoil someone else's love for adventure, especially if you have a skewed perception of the novel. To me, it appears to me that the only reason your daughter is so adamant about this subject is because without her support you would look psycho.

It this Book Racist? Should it be taught in schools?

The main issue of this book is, is it racist? I honestly, in my point of view dont think that this book is racist, but i dont think that any one can say that it is or isnt a racist novel. In the end i think that the fact of the book being racist or not is all in ones opinion. in the movie that we watched the mother and the daughter were very upset and hurt by this book and most definatley thought that htis book was racist. But then from the converstaion of our peers and of my own opinion the book is not racist in our eyes, that was the time period and it should be precieved as it was, not sugar coated. I know every thing has two sides and now im supposed to pick a side and write about it, but with a topice such as racism i dont htink one person can jsut pick on side you have to open yourself up to the fact that others might get upset and hurt by this book and acknowledge that fact. So in reality is the book racist? I think it depends and i want to write about both sides of the argument. I will use the movie most of all for this section of my paper. The second part of this paper is asking if it should be taught in schools. In my opinion i dont think that this book should be taught in school because i thin kit is a horrible book. I think that Twain had no idea what he was doing when he wrote this and i think that he had no plan or full thought to the book at all. Not only was the dialouge completely and utterly painful to read but the whole story boared me. There were few parts like hwen Huck realizes that Jim is a man and accepts that he is going to hell. the end of the book however was completly horrible, i will use a majority of the critics that you gave to us because i thin ktha ti can find something in all of them to support my case. even the parts that say that it is a good book i will just rip on it!

HUCK FINN ZERO DRAFT

I kinda think I'm going to write about how this book is racist, and should be taught in school. How could it not of been racist in a racist time? If it wasn't it would lose a huge amount of its autheticity and wouldn't be a great american novel. The use of "nigger" in the book may offend people, but it WAS the word they used and knew to represent african american people, it wouldn't make sense to put "african american" or anything else besides that word. I also like how Doug pointed out how it's not only racist to blacks but everyone. And how Huck, once he's alone with Jim realizes that Jim isn't just a "dumb nigger" and is an actual human with feelings and wants. I think this book should also be taught in schools, but only if the teacher teaches it how Lav dog did, making us think about if this book is racist and if it should be taught in school. This lets the students think, discuss, and argue about this book, leading to classes that get students engaged. It should also be taught in school because it is a great amerian novel, it shows how the american south was in that time period. I also may go off on a tangent about how Tom represents society and how if you don't do it by the books, it's wrong. Ummm....The river interested me, how when I read those chapters, I felt clam and relaxed much like how Huck and Jim felt.

Huck Finn Zero Draft

My essay will describe the way in which this book is clearly anti racist but is simply realistic regarding state of race relations in the antebellum south in 1835. One of the biggest arguments in deeming Huck Finn racist is the use of the currently very offensive word "nigger". Many people claim that this book is racist because Twain decided to use this word when it was not necessarily an allright word to use in the north when he wrote the book in 1884. The reason that Twain uses this word so prolifically is that it was a large part of the vernacular in 1835, the fact that the book uses the vernacular makes it the great American Classic that it is. Another reason why this book has been called racist is that it portrays Jim as a dumb individual because his is black. People who make this argument often overlook the main message of the book the way in which the reader's view on Jim changes. As the book progresses, we see Jim change from a dumb, trickable individual, to a caring, human, fatherly figure and huck's realization of Jim as a man is the anti-racist centerpiece of this novel. This novel portrays the friendship of these two and their journey as defying the racist ways of current society. Twain's record also suggests that is heavily anti racist

huck finn

I think I am going to say that i think the book has rascist words but how they are used throughout the whole story is not very racist. I also want to say that this book is a classic, wether or not it sucks, and should be read by english students. I think if the book is taught to spark debates or disccussion like lavander did for us it can be very helpful. the fact that this book makes some students angry and others bothered by the writing is the reason it can be such a good teaching guide. i am not really sure what passages im going to use for this essay, if anyone has any ideas please let me know. there are a few quotes i got from the movie that will really help in my arguement that this book is not racist if you look at as a whole book and not a few words in each page. also i want to make a huge point on how that was the word to describe people of color during that time period. reading the book now where that word is thought of as inapropriate is much different from the time that he wrote the book. so far i havent found a critic that is perfect for my arguement.. the movie is the thing helping me the most. i will have to read more critics before i find which one is the best for me. well thats all i can think of for now. if you have any ideas let me know.

Huck Finn Zero Draft

Nature and Society

For my paper I'm planning on writing about the ways different settings affect views of shame. In particular I'm going to look at Hester and Dimmesdale's shame in nature vs. in society. I'll probably use a lot of quotes and passages from the forest scene and talk about how those particular chapters were completely different than the tone of the rest of the book. I can comment on the way Hester's shame is more variable, it changes a lot from in society, where she has to wear it for everyone to see, versus in nature, where nobody cares what she has done. Dimmesdale on the other hand, his shame is more similar between the two settings. Even thought nature can't judge him for his sins, I think he still feels it inside and is judging himself harshly. Therefore, although he can let loose a little in the forest, he still has trouble letting go of his guilt as much as Hester can.

- "Reverend Dimmesdale exhibited no symptom of positive and vivacious suffering, except that, as little PEarl had remarked, he kept his hand over his heart." pg 164

-""Never, never!' whispered she "What we did had a consecration of its own. We felt it so! We said to each other! Hast thou forgotten it?" 'Hush Hester'" pg 170

-and also the part where she takes down her hair and her letter, i can't find it this moment.

-and lots of other quotes too hopefully.

Um not sure why i am doing this but...

Ya like i said this is on saturday i was out of class on friday and am writing my essay. so i figure i might as well try to get credit for the post anyway. So ya this is the intro to my essay
"Every human being created, was created with a mind, functional or not, all humans have one. The mind is an incredible thing, no mind is identical to one another, each mind is capable of creating new and unique thought and every mind has strengths and weaknesses. Whether minds are mature naturally or are developed through the actions, experiences, and choices of its host, each mind creates its own thought process, a way to view situations, develop theories, and create opinions. One of the beautiful things is that each mind is not like a book it cannot be read, it cannot be captured, and it cannot be directly controlled by any other being the its host. Yet the mind can, through vigorous discipline, keen attention to detail, and unrelenting observation can be studied. It is not easy to discern one’s process of mind it can be done. Ideas can be kept quiet and opinions can avoid the form of speech, but one cannot mask its actions! For every action is a decision, every decision is a choice, and all choices originate through a process of information, a prediction of outcomes, and moral judgment of the mind, these series of trials are the personal human process of mind. So therefore if one truly observes, studies, and evaluates the actions of a certain being they can link those actions to the process of mind that executed them. One of the first books to tap in to this murky, borderline dark study was The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. In this book characters’ personal though processes are unveiled to the reader, yet Hawthorne still revolves all the actions of those characters around the fictional minds of the characters. Using Hawthorne’s exceptional work will help better clarify the process of studying one’s mind."
ya its alot but thats it. From there i will go into depth on Hester's mind process and relating them to her actions, for example her veiws on soceity eqaul her living away from it.

so... i doubt anyone will read this but if u take the time to i geuss u will have some comment on it. If you got this far i owe u a thank you. thanks

Rewarded for leaving society

The essay I intend on writing with discuss the idea that Hawthorne values those who break free of society more so than those trapped within it. By giving the characters that break free happier lives than those who don’t, Hawthorne shows this preference. The characters I see as conforming to society are Chillingworth and Dimmesdale.

Chillingworth conforms to the idea of society by seeking wrath, an ideal that only exists within civilization. Many examples exist in the book of Chillingworth planning his revenge, such as, “I shall seek this man, as I have sought truth in books…I shall see him tremble,” on page 69. Hawthorne describes the change in the physician through Hester’s eyes on page 148 when she observes that “the former aspect of an intellectual and studious man, calm and quiet… had altogether vanished and been succeeded by an eager, searching, almost fierce yet carefully guarded,” suggesting that wanting revenge has taken a toll on the old man. By the very end of the book Hawthorne has brought the old man to death, stating that “All his strength and energy….seemed at once to desert him; insomuch that he positively withered up, shriveled away, and almost vanished from mortal sight,” during his last year of his life. Because of Chillingworth’s want for revenge, a societal ideal, Hawthorne kills him by the end of the book, after making him an extremely unhappy person.

A similar thing happens to Dimmesdale, as the man refuses to discard society and its opinions for the entire book. He never bares a letter as to stay accepted by his fellow villagers, but it takes a great personal toll on his health and soul. His health quickly deteriorates descriptions of this plentiful in the book such as on page 107 where Hawthorne reveals that “with every successive Sabbath, his cheek was paler and thinner, and his voice more tremulous than before.” This is all because Dimmesdale will not admit to his peers that he committed a crime that would cause them to loose much respect for him, and end his life as a preacher. In the end though, the grief caused by bearing the lie kills Dimmesdale slowly from the inside out, once again showing that Hawthorne does not like those who are not willing to leave society behind.

Although Hester and Pearl don’t have much of a choice to leave society, their choice to remain in nature away from the poison of other’s opinions helps them in the end. Hester’s letter first marks her with shame, but because she stays strong the “A” eventually marks her with strength, and receives respect from the people of Boston. “They said that it (the letter) meant Able; so strong was Hester Prynne, with a woman’s strength.” (141) Hester does not end up with a wonderful ending, but because she stays away from society, she ends up with respect from the town, and even gives advice to many women who are also facing challenges like the one she did. Pearl’s luck to grow outside of society makes Hawthorne value her very much, and give her a wonderful life in the end. She has very wild outbreaks many times that would never be accepted in proper society, but because she doesn’t care and is willing to do her own thing, no matter the opinions of the others, she ends with a wonderful life. By the end of the book, “Pearl was not only alive, but married, and happy,” proving that the character who was furthest from the grip of civilization ended with the happiest story, Hawthorne loving her for her individuality.

Love vs. Hate

When we were given the assignment to practically write whatever we pleased concerning the Scarlet Letter, I was utterly unable to find a topic that interested me. It seemed as though everything I thought of seemed too generic and didn’t captivate my attention or interest. Interestingly enough the basis in which I want to write my essay came up in the last 5 pages of the book. “It is a curious subject of observation and inquiry, whether hatred and love be not the same thing at the bottom. Each, in its utmost development, supposes a high degree of intimacy and heart-knowledge; each renders one individual dependent for the food of his affections and spiritual life upon another; each leaves the passionate lover, or the no less passionate hater, forlorn and desolate by the withdrawal of his object. Philosophically considered, therefore, the two passions seem essentially the same, except that one happens to be seen in a celestial radiance, and the other in a dusky and lurid glow.” I love idea that love and hate in many aspects are extremely similar and come about very similar results. Both can evoke such passion and emotion that can evoke equally intense and sometimes unexplainable actions. A sort of transformation occurs when we are cast under such spells, we lose part of ourselves because we become obsessed with either obtaining or destroying another human being. In the case of Dimmesdale, the idea of being with Hester was the only light he had in his life, yet because she was married it literally caused his slow death. He couldn’t deal with the guilt of wanting her so bad, he couldn’t stand the pain of thinking that he was a hypocrite of his own words. The love in his heart was too heavy a burden for him to handle. Similarly with Roger Chillingsworth, when he became aware of the affair of his wife Hester and the “pure” minister Dimmesdale, all he could think of was vengeance. All he had in his life was the desire to make the mighty minister fall. It utterly and completely consumed him; the former Roger Chillingsworth was nowhere to be found. And when the day came where Dimmesdale did eventually pass, there was nothing left in Chillingworth’s life. He had spent so many years trying to torture this man that he had no reason to carry on afterward; he too, like Dimmesdale seemed to simply shrivel up and vanish. The amount of time and energy that he invested as well as the simply dark and evil demeanor of this undertaking killed him. It seems to me that, while the natures of the two passions differ, they more often than not come about very similar results. They both drive individuals to such extreme levels of zeal that they lose themselves and become entirely defined by said passion.

The Scarlet Letter

The scarlet letter that Hester is condemned to equip on her bosom is a central symbol of sin and shame, but as the story progresses it transforms into a different meaning, creating a sense of irony. The letter "A" influences Hester and her decisions and thoughts. In the beggining, she is all bummed and stuff, thinking she is a serious sinner. She has to wear this "A" and is sent to live outside the rest of society. And people think that it is not serious enough as a punishment. As the story moves forward, the rest of society deems it as too much and they want to welcome her back in, but because of the "A", she realized that society is not right and she can do what she wants. What was once meant to bring her shame, now brought her new thoughts that benefit her life.
The "A" also takes different ironic symbols throughout the novel. Everyone sees the letter and sees it as a symbol of shame, but to Hester it's a symbol of hope and inspiration. When the meteors shoot through the sky in the form of an "A", Dimmesdale sees it as the a for what sin he had commited. Ironically, the rest of the community saw it as a symbol for angel for the Governors recent death.
Pearl also goes hand in hand with the letter, having a direct tie to her. When the letter goes, Pearl also goes. They cannot be separated.

This isn't totally complete.

explication- The Scarlet Letter

Reverend Dimmesdale represents a figure of guidance in The Scarlet Letter- For me, this represents both dramatic irony and hypocrisy. In this explication I intend to look at Dimmesdale's character through an analytical lense......he, in a way, is a contradiciton to himself.
I want to analyze both his character traits and his many speeches and sermons in order to show to the readers the "deeper meaning" of Dimmesdale himself. I will look at:
-first sermon, one where Hester is on the scaffold... pg 62/ 63
-the people's view of their young minister
- the physical agony Dimmesdale is put through
- Chillingworths view of the minister (he is the only one that truly views him as a hypocrite)
-Dimmesdale's opinion on his own sin pg 124/125/126

Its like a really super rough draft.....I honestly don't know how i'm going to format it etc... Luckily I have till monday!!

A Flood of Sunshine

For my essay, i want to write about Hawthorne's value of nature throughout the scarlet letter. I am going to use a paragraph (p.178) from the chapter "a flood of sunshine", which describes pearl and connecting with nature. Throughout the book Pearl is known as a little terror devil child, but in this chapter she is highlighted as sweet and caring. I am going to show how society views the way nature is, and how it really is, especially with pariahs like Pearl. In society they think she is a terrible child and she acts out and screams, but then when she goes into nature which is supposedly the "dark place" she is a sweet little girl. I will also show how pearl with humans in the town she is very rude and mean towards them, but then when a wolf comes up to her, which to humans is considered a dangerous creature, he offers her his head and she gives it a pat. I will also talk about when Pearl gathers the flowers up and makes herself a crown and decorates her waste, while in nature. But whenever she was in the grave yard with her mother with others watching she plucked the flowers and threw them at her mom. And lastly i am going to point out how happy Pearl is in the forest, until she realizes Reverend Dimmesdale, a part of society is around. That is my basic idea of what i am going to write but it is also subject to change a little.

Scarlet Letter Essay-ish

My idea was to argue if the Scarlet Letter performed to its purpose and to incorporate if shame works to change a person or make them embarrassed enough to not commit the crime again. (I actually had this idea before Lavender proposed it in class. Therefore I thought that I had picked a good topic that can been argued well on both sides.) My stance is that shame did not effect the wearer, Hester Prynn, as much as the other culprit, Reverend Dimmesdale. Some of the quotes that I am going to use are,
pg 45 "Civilized Society [is] a prison."
Thoughts-Does the letter free her from the prison of society by exiling her into a world of shame? Are they, society as a whole, doing a favor for her through their ignorance?
pg. 52 "... as if her heart had been flung into the street for them all to spurn and trample upon."
Thoughts- This tries to explain the embarrassment and shame that she felt, but it never says that she thinks that she is wrong. She believes that what they did was amazing because she felt the love, which was nonexistent with her husband. In the beginning Hawthorne gives her the excuse that she didn't know that her husband was still alive. However, near the end when she has been living along her husband, she strives to go to Europe with Dimmesdale and Pearl in order to get away from their society. After all her hardships with the extravagant Scarlet Letter, she has not learned from her crime. By whole essay will be based on this statement. Any ideas or good quotes that come to mind, feel free to share! Thanks guys.

Sunshine Sunshine It's fine... I feel it in my skin, Warming up my mind

One of the most dominant topics in the book, to me, is the theme of nature, and how nature is dominant over everything, including society. One of the many ways that this theme is represented is the presence of the "sunshine" throughout the novel. A way that this is held true is how the sun never shines on Hester, and Lavender made me realize that this is a way of showing that Nature has a certain way of condeming Hesters punishment.

There are MANY instances that sunshine is used in, and some are:
on page 92, when Hester tells Pearl: "No my little Pearl!" "Though Must gather thine own sunshine. I have none to give Thee!" This to me, represents the innocence of Pearl. The sunshine will avoid Hester, because she has sinned, but Pearl can reach the sunshine, becasue she is not a sinner, and she sees society as it really is, a joke.

Another important representation of sunshine is page 160 where Pearl says: "Mother, the sunshine doesn't love you, It runs away and hgides itself! its afraid of something on your bosom." But let me cahtch it she says "for i am young and have nothing on my bosom yet."
this kind of follows the themse of innocence,

Ong scene on page 178 symoblizes the realtiuonship between Pearl and nature, and innocence...

HELP ME FIND MORE EXAMPLES PLEASE??!!???!!?

guilt by colten

I plan on doing a comparison between the guilt dimmesdale and hester feel throughout the book. At the beginning of the book hester is publically shamed and her "crime" is known to all. her concience is, for lack of a better term, cleared. this gives the public time, of a sense, to become acustomed to what she did. dimmesdale keeps it internal and it kills him throughout his life. nobody can become accostomed to what he did so guilt just festers and becomes worse as time goes by. also dimmesdales guilt is very selfish. he never once feels guilt towards the fact that hester has taken the blame. he only cares what people will think about him once they find out. hesters guilt is selfeless. she feels shame over the fact that she wronged chillingsworth and feels bad that she could not be faithful. i plan on including the fact that dimmesdale himself says "stand there beside thee, on thy pedestal of shame, yet better it were so, than to hide a guilty heart through life". basically he is saying that "whoever" sinned with hester should come forth rather than living a lie. dimmesdale is a hippocrit.

chillingworthhhhhhhhhhh

I am going to write on the developments chillingworth makes as a character throughout the novel. Starting with the visit he makes Hester in the jail. how he tells her that he has also sinned by forcing into her marriage and making her unhappy. then how he says he has to know the name of the man that sinned with her. I'm going to touch on how chillingworth takes all of his anger out on Dimmesdale. I will then look at how he acts as dimmesdales doctor when really he is not helping him in any way. I want to show how he turns into evil and becomes the real sinner. the scene where chillingworth finds the A on Dimmesdales chest is one i want to look deep into. Probably my favorite quote of the entire book is on page 225... "...whether hatred and love be not from the same thing at the bottom" throughout this entire book this message is played. whether its between Hester and Chillingworth or Chillingworth and Dimmesdale. i really want to play this thought throughout my essay. every relationship, is both hate and love. Lastly I will look at Chillingworths last actions. When he finally starts to realize how he has sinned and how he has wronged people. he attempts to '"cover" those actions with giving pearl all of his fortune.

Essay Topic

For my essay i was think about writing about "revenge" through out the whole book. For example Chillingworth has revenge on Dimesdale through out the whole book. Also for example when Chillingworth goes into Hester's jail cell to talk to her as a doctor so he could give her pills and eventually kill her. But instead he goes in her cell and interrogates her. He asks over and over who the father of her child is, who is shares love with. I was thinking i could maybe even state that revenge is in many other stories or movies. Also revenge is one of the main themes of this book. It shows the relationship between Dimmesdale and Chillingworth. Chillingworth is just out there "helping" him, but really he is just there to destroy him.
Page 107 "I need no medicine," Dimesdale told Chillingworth. "Were it Gods will, I could be well content, that my labors, and my sorrows,, and my sins, and my pains, should shortly end with me, and what is earthly of them be buried in my grave,and the spiritual go with and my eternal state, rather that that you should put your skill to the proof of my behalf." Right the Dimesdale is trying to tell Chillingworth that he is just fine without medicine. That he can take care of himself without any ones help.
Again page 107 '"Ah," replied Roger Chillingworth..."it is thus that a young clergyman is apt to speak. Youthful men, not having taken a deep root, give up their hold of life so easily! And saintly men, who walk with God on earth, would fain be away, to walk with him on the golden pavements of the New Jerusalem." Right there Chillingworth is just telling Dimesdale that he Will be way much of a better person, and leader if he gets of medicine to take his strange pain away.

Men... Hesters Pain

For this essay, I believe I want to write about the faults of man, and how Hester lives in pain. I want to talk about how Hester through the whole book took this pain, even thought it wasnt easey, and lived with it. she gracfully barred this burdon, unlike Dimsdale who dealt with this weekly, cowarded from taking the balme and couldnt accept that he was at fault. I would first talk about how he was a coward, because in the very beginning of hte book when Hester was first put upon the scaffold, he calls downt to her begging her to tell them who her lover is becuase he is too much of a coward to do it on his own. (pg. 62) this is also portrayed throughout the whole book because he still does not confess... untill the very end ofcourse... Then i would like to talk about he weakness of him. Through out the whole book he is sick because of the sin that he holds in his heart pg106...139. He cant deal with either telling nor keeping it a secret and he handles it like a little child. I would also like to then describe how the whole thing is dimsdales fault.. him being a minister knew the sin of htis action and Hester knowing too but seeing that the action was okayed by her minister might have seen more of a reason to aprehend into the yurning of lust for dimsdale... all in all i want to convey that the men in this book have really effed her over yet she bares the sin of them all with a high head and heavy heart...

scarlet letter zero draft

For this essay i am thinking about talking about how Hawthorne feels about society and the way that he portrays these feelings through his novel. I going to talk about the underlying transendentalist theme of society vs. nature that is found throughout the Scarlet letter. I will use the part of the book where Hawthorne describes in detail the rose that is growing outside of the prison door and how this perfectly portrays the portrayal of nature vs. society in the book. I plan on also making connections between Hawthrone's writing and the writings of whitman, emerson, and therou. I also plan to talk about the theme of society vs. nature is also found between hester and society in that hester represents the fruits of nature, and lives immersed in it while she is being shunned by society. I will talk about the way that hawthorne portrays society and unforgiving and evil, whereas nature is always beatiful and eminent.

Hester and Pearls relationship

I am going to talk about the many difficulties that Hester and Pearl have to deal with. I think that Hester has a lot on her plate being a single mother and how she has to support her own self and a little girl. I think that not many people who read this book focus on the relationship between Hester and her first born daughter Pearl. Their relationship is strong and always will be. Being my moms first born, I know how it feels to have that certain bond between mother and daughter. I think that being a single mom is incredibly difficult. Especially back then when there is no finances that go to children with only one parent. One of my favorite passages in the book is when Hester and Pearl are in the woods and Hester is trying to get Pearl to come to her from across the other side of the river. Hester has taken off her letter A and says
"look down at thy feet! There! before thee! on the hither side of the brook! Bring it hither!" Pearl responds to her by saying " Come thou and take it up" Pearl has grown up with seeing her mom wear that letter A. So when Hester takes off the A and throws it onto the ground Pearl sees almost a different person. It also offends Pearl because she is the living proof of her mothers crime. And when Hester takes off that it's almost saying that she doesn't want Pearl anymore. I think that Hester is done with wearing that letter A but it is something that she will always have to live with because Pearl will always be her daughter no matter what. When I read this passage I thought of the things that my mother and I have in common and that if she didn't have those features then she wouldn't be the same person.
I think that in this essay I will make a lot of references to my relationship with my mom and how I can see the trouble that Hester has to face buy I think that Hester has done a really good job raising her brilliant Pearl and that she should have no regrets.

Chillingsworth Zero Draft

I am going to write this essay centered around the relationship between Chillingsworth and Dimmesdale throughout the book. Although Chillingsworth isn't brought up as much in the book, I was interested by the part he played and his connection to all of the main characters. Chillingsworth's quest for revenge and redemption during the novel engrossed me beyond any of the other characters. Dimmesdale on the other hand has a slow depressing story, yet is the center of attention far more than his interesting counterpart Chillingsworth. The connection between these two characters is both ironic and symbolic. Their stories are intertwined even to the point of death. Chillingsworth's title as "the leech" not only represents him as a doctor, but also represents the part he plays in the book. He is only able to live through torturing and sucking the life out of the man he both envys and hates. Dimmesdale on the other hand is to weak to admit himself but too bold to give up completely. These two characters need each other to survive in the brutal puritan society they have built. Chillingsworth through his torture and Dimmesdale through his guilt and devotion to Hester. The relationship between these two characters is the center of my essay. I just have a broad general idea so any suggestions will help.

Revenge and Love

I wanna write about the relationship between Chillingworth and Dimmesdale. Chillingworth is seeking revenge for what Dimmesdale did to his wife. The two men start to talk, much like how any relationship starts. They get to know each other. Before you know it, they're living together. Almost like a happy couple progression through thier relationship of love. "...that Heaven wrought an absolute miracle, by transporting an eminent Doctor of Physic [Chillingworth], from a German university, bodily through the air, and setting him down at the door of Mr. Dimmesdale's study!" Chillingworth eventually cannot live without knowing Dimmesdale is being tormented on the inside by shame and guilt. Chillingworth even creates elixers, and puts enough time and care into these elixers like they were the "Elixer of Life." Yea...I'm going to put some quotes that represent how the relationship between these two men show revenge and love at the same time.

Scarlet Letter Analytical Essay

Although I am not completely sure about this idea, I plan on writing about the scarlet letter and how it changed throughout the book. I know the scarlet letter begins as a symbol of shame and personifying the sin that Hester committed. And as the book progresses the letter begins to transform from its original purpose.

I can quote the book at the points where the transformations take place. The scarlet letter was first given to Hester by the magistrates, in order to bring shame upon Hester for committing adultery. But as the book goes on and Hester proves herself by helping others and behaving kindly. At on point, Hawthorn talks about the new meaning of the letter A: Able. But although the letter has lost the original meaning to the townsfolk, Hester still feels it constantly on her heart.

When Hester meets Chillingsworth after many years, he brings up the fact that the magistrates are considering letting Hester remove the letter. But Hester persists and claims that the letter would fall off with its own nature if she was worthy of having it removed. Hester feels unworthy of having it removed because the sin that she committed is still burning in her. I am continuing to look at places where the letter changes and relate them to my essay. I hope to compose a successful work with this and I hope it comes together nicely. I would write more but I don't have many other ideas to add at the moment.

Chillingsworth Zero Draft

OOh Scarlet Letter!!!!

It wouldn't let me go back and edit it so here it is again.....

"Necessity seized the old man within its gripe, and never set him free again, until he had done all its bidding. He now dug into the poor clergyman's heart." This quote really digs deeply, literally hahah (I thought that was funny...guess not), into the heart of human nature. Once someone has taken something or someone that was supposed to belong to us we feel the NEED to somehow get revenge and make that person suffer. It doesn’t matter the circumstances, it is all about pride and Chillingsworth was willing to do anything to achieve vengeance. What I found particularly interesting about this quote is the fact that Dimmesdale is the one that slept with Hester while she was married and he is the father of her illegitimate daughter yet in this quote Dimmesdale is portrayed as the victim. While Chillingsworth is definitely partly at fault, you would expect him to be the one receiving sympathy from readers. However, Chillingsworth has succumbed so deeply to anger and hatred, as many of us do, that he has become the monster.

"Necessity seized the old man within its gripe, and never set him free again, until he had done all its bidding. He now dug into the poor clergyman's heart." This quote really digs deeply, literally hahah (i thought that was funny...guess not), into the heart of human nature. Once someone has taken something or somneone that was supposed to belong to us away we feel the NEED to somehow get revenge and make that person suffer. It didnt matter that Chillingsworth and Hester didnt have a loving marraige or that they hadnt been together in years, he was going to achieve vengence. .......sry not done fiinsh later

UMM YA???? WELL..... UMMMM.... UH HHHHHH.... I THIINK.......???? (where am i)

"speakthou for me!" cried she. "Thou wast my pastor, and hadst charge of my soul, and knowets me better than these men can!" this quote was pulled from page 100 when the "good minister" is going to allow the baby pearl to be taken away from hester. I find it odd that hester had spent time and effort to conceal her relationship with dimmesdale and then alla the sudden she just goes off, suggesting that dimmmesdale should know her better. out of stubborn desperation she almost blows everything she swore to protect (idiot). then, ye' old creeper, (chillingsworth) gets the suspitions enough to feed his own hate. its like a triphecta of suffering.

"The Leech and His Patient"

"They grew out of his heart and typify , it may be, some hideous secret that was buried with him, and which he had done better to confess during his lifetime". This quote is referring to the leaves that were growing out of the grave, but it symbolizes Chillingworth's suspicions of Dimmesdale. He believes that Dimmesdale could possibly be the one who has stolen Hester from him. He begins to pry into his life. Chillingworth believes that all secrets are buried beneath a person's heart. He mentions how maybe Dimmesdale has some secrets of his own that he should confess. It becomes evident that Chillingworth, thinks that Dimmesdale could have possibly been the man who slept with Hester. He feels that Dimmesdale's main secret could be his love for Hester. You then get into the mind and body of Dimmesdale. He feels weak and guilty about the situation and that he should confess his actions, but he cannot. He is the MAN in town, he is the minister. Dimmesdale controls the faith of everyone. If people witness that he was the one who has sinned so deeply, being the father of Hester's child, then they would all lose their grip on their faith. He needs to set the example for the town. He cannot sleep at night because he is in such distraught over this matter. He is literally dying of guilt. Overall it is a sick twisted idea of irony. The two men are living together, one man Hester's past lover and husband, and the other the father of her child. I'm interested to see the outcome of this crazy story.

Scarlet letter blog

"But with what a look of wonder joy and horror... when a precious human soul lost to heaven and won into his kingdom." on page 121. This passage is written when Chillingsworth discovers the A on dimmsdales chest whent he is examining him. I highlighted this passage because it shows the intense desire for revenge that Chillingsworth bears. The way that Chillingworth's emotions are described clearly portray this. Befor this passage the reader knows that Hester's old husband wasnts revenge, but not the true degree to which he seeks it. The way in which Hawthorne describes this point ion the novel also shows the deep and mixed emotions that are going through Chillingsworth's mind at the time that he sees this. Chillingsworth is feeling other emotions besides the thrill of revenge at the time, he is also feeling somewhat scared and curious. I beleive that Chillingsworth is also surprised to find that the town minister is the one who slept with his wife.

post thing

"if Mr. Dimmesdale were really going to die, it was cause enough, that the world was not worthy to be any longer trodden by his feet." (pg. 106)this quote is saying that if Dimmesdale were too die then it would be because the world was no longer good enough to have him guide their way. this quote is hugely hyporcritical because he has wronged his people. everyone thinks he is such a great minister who believes in the word of god when really he is sick because of the guilt he feels for knocking up Hester. the reason Dimmesdale is dying is because he feels guilty for not only sleeping with Hester but also for not standing by her, being a father to their baby, and making her take the blame for herself. i find it annoying that the freaking minister is the one who has helped hester commit this "crime". i can understand that he does not want to come into the open about it because he doesnt want people to loose faith in the religion but i cannot believe he is letting her go through this alone. everyone is saying he is such a pure man and will be sent straight to heaven when actuallity he should be more punished the Hester for not standing by her. i think the irony througout the book has been really good. there are many moments throughout the book where Hawthorne has used irony. i still think this is the BIGGEST one though. i never would have guessed that the minister, the man who is supposed to be pure, is the one who is fathering this child. this twist makes the story work, but the irony is almost unreal.

Those damn Puritans

In the Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne gives a good description of the Puritans and how they act towards those that did bad things. The passage on page 77, "The Clergymen paused in the street to address words of exhortation..." and a few pages later on 84, "The truth was, that the little Puritans, being of the most intolerant brood that ever lived..." gives a good sense of how they were and acted. Throughout the novel, Hester's peers and even the children all looked at her with disgrace. The beginning of the novel starts with her having to stand in front of the rest of her community with the letter A for adultery stuck on her breast, trying to make her feel shame. Even the children see Pearl and instantly think of flinging mud at her. Everyone buys what Hester creates with her needle-working skills, except bridal veils because of her sin. These people saw the sin in her and it determined how they viewed her. Today, what she did happens all the time and no one really cares, but back then they saw that she performed an act of sin and she is exiled from the rest of society. It makes me think about how insane these people were. There was no real reason to make such a big deal out of it, but crazy is what crazy does. She didn't deserve what she had to go through, but the crazy people still made her suffer due to a belief that might not even be true. I just really don't like religion, it screws everything up and makes people do things that don't make sense.

Scarlet Letter Quote

"The very first thing which she had noticed , in her life, was-what?- not the mother smile......But that first object of which Pearl seemed to become aware was-shall we say it?- the scarlet letter on Hester's bosom." pg 86 In regards to Pearl.....

With this quote I think the reader begins to see the true affects of the scarlet letter. It captures everyone's attention; it shapes the way in which the entire general public bases their opinion. Not even Hester's own daughter (Pearl) can seem to turn her attention away from it. Pearl is constantly flinging objects, everything from flowers to burs, at her mother's letter. In a sense it seems as though wearing a scarlet letter for the rest of one's life brings upon more suffering and emotional scarring than a sudden execution.
Though, throughout the beginnning development of Hester's character I begin to question her true reaction to the consequences of the crime she committed. For one, she has embroidered the letter intricately ....does she want to draw attention to it? Second, she seems to completely ignore Pearl and the rest of the public when they judgingly stare at her. What keeps her sane?

Pearl.

The passage on page 117 mid page, "In reply to her mother's command and entreaty that she would behave decorously little Pearl paused to gather the prickly burrs from a tall burdock, which grew beside a tomb. Taking a handful of these, she arranged them along the lines of the scarlet letter that decorated the maternal bosom, to which the burrs, as their nature was, tenaciously adhered. Hester did not pluck them off. " I like this quote because not only does Pearls way of acting makes me laugh, but it really shows that Pearl has no respect for her mother, and marches to the beat of her own drum. Even though she is young she knows that something has happened to her mother to make her have to wear the scarlet letter. So with this she knows she can disrespect her mother, by not only not listening and doing the exact opposite of what she is told, but also reminding her mother that she has this thing on her clothes that make her a pariah, by putting burrs around it. And Hester just lets her do it, cause she feels guilty for bringing her into this world in the way she does. Not only does Pearl have no respect or rules with her mother, but she behaves this way with everyone and thing she encounters. " There is no law, nor reverence for authority, no regard for human ordinances or opinions, right or wrong, mixed up with that child's composition. I saw, her the other day, bespatter the Governor himself with water, at the cattle-trough in Spring Lane. What, in Heavens name, is she? Is the imp altogether evil? Hath she affections? Hath she any discoverable principle of being?" Roger Chillingworth states. Then Dimmesdale states " None,- save the freedom of a broken law." Pearl automatically doesn't need to fallow the rules in law, cause she was made in an act of sin against the laws and principles of life. She is an outcast by birth, so her mother and everyone else treats her like one, and lets her not fallow rules. Will she be like this forever? Or will she change for the better, and be an amazing person?

Maybe she should get with Hughe Heffner too....

"So magnificent was the small figure, when thus arrayed and such was the splendor of Pearl's own proper beauty, shinning through the gorgeous robes which might have extinguished a paler lovliness that there was an absolute circle of radiance around her." chapter six is entitled Pearl, after Hesters daughter. This child is special for many reasons and one of the many is that she is stunning. She is the most beautiful being in Boston, along with Hester, but she was birthed from sin. this provides doubt for many of the towns people of Boston, she is exiled as a child, but in my opinion she is amazing. She does cause lots of strife in Hesters life, for example when she is throwing flowers at Hester's breast. But i for one have a love for Pearls. In my imagination, Pearl is undescribable, and so amazingly beautiful that she doest make any sense. You would expect her to be a troll in the world, and many people may think she is, but to me, she is a fairy. In my opinion she is a gorgeous misunderstood child. Most of the childeren her age knew their fathers, and had a relationship with them throughout thier childhood. I feel sympathy for Pearl because she is living in such a different and difficult circumstance than all of the other people in the New World.

"In giving her existance, great law had been broken." this is true, and mr. Dimmsdale says: " save the freesdom of a broken law," he means by this that Pearl is special because she is a product of sin, so she is free to do whatever she pleases. This gives an angelic but devil sort of feel to Pearl, and i love her, no matter what anyone says hahaha

When the kids get smacked.

Page 83... "Not seldom, she would laugh anew, and louder than before, like a thing incapable, and unintelligent of human sorrow" This quote reminds me not only of the rather strange emotional habits of Pearl, but also draws me towards the fact that Pearl is a personification of the guilt laid upon Hester. Hester can do nothing but watch as the devilish imp sets itself upon breaking free of its master. But i cant blame the little punk! i too would be furious, born into a bastard life, sure your mom wants to deal with her sins by remaining in this town of religious fruitcakes, but is it even fair to have her daughter grow up as a total alien to any kind of social life? The kid talks to trees for god's sake, and the other children believe her to be a witch! is that any way to raise a child? I want to grasp Hester by a tuft of hair, and while shaking her violently, scream into her ear canal " It is no longer about your desire to look good in this community! Your daughter has her whole life ahead of her, put it behind you or you will later regret stripping Pearl of her childhood!"

Scarlet Letter Blog Post

"A man burdened with a secret should especially avoid the intimacy of his phisician."

I particularly enjoyed this qoute because, well, it's very true. Especially after we were talking about the pyscho somatic effects of holding secret guilt, keeping a secret from a physician seems impossible. Once the physician sees the tangible effects on the body, he is obviously going to try to find the cause of them...ESPECIALLY WHEN THE PHYSICIAN IS CHILLINGWORTH! That is the second reason I like this quote so much, it is extraoidinarily ironic. The physician in this case is Rodger Chillingworth, the husband of Hester. If Dimmesdale was going to keep the secret from anyone it should be him. Yet, Dimmesdale is becoming intimatley close with Chillingworth, they are even living in a house together!!!!! So pretty much, it is inevitable that Dinnesdale's secret is going to come out. Oh Dimmesdale, what HAVE you gotten yourself into?

For Once Gossips Were Correct

On page 112, the passage “To sum up the matter….In the guise of old Roger Chillingworth,” the community is beginning to fear that Roger Chillingworth is Satan in disguise or Satan’s slave, haunting their dear minister. Although they do not know it, they are guessing correctly in a way, just pointing the guilt at the wrong person. Dimmesdale is troubled mentally by what these people would call the working of the Satan, by his dear lover Hester though, not the physician. They also do not realize that his pain is something he’s bringing upon himself. It is so ironic that the people think Dimmesdale is so threatened, yet have all the answers right in front of them to find he is the evil that is endangering himself.. Cool how they don’t even understand that Dimmesdale is the closest thing to one of Satan’s emissaries in all reality, torturing himself. If they only knew that they knew the truth, this would be such a boring story. I think that’s why I enjoy it to some extent. The man the entire community looks up to and is trying to protect is the man who committed an “awful” sin and who is slowly killing himself with the guilt of not admitting to it. The best part of this book was when I realized that Dimmesdale was the father of Pearl, that fact just showing that Christianity, in a way is pretty much bullshit if even the best ministers can break the Commandments. Thank you Hawthorne for pointing this out to the world.

Scarlet Letter Blog 1

The passage on page 118 stating "But, still, methinks, it must needs be better...[Hester's lover] show his pain...than to cover it all up in his heart," describes the expostulation that occurs throughout chapter 10. This was the easiest chapter thus far to follow because it describes the occurrence when it is happening. When I was reading this chapter, I was going as crazy as a bee trapped in a water bottle pleading to know what will happen after this discussion. Will Dimmesdale open up to his comrade physician because Chillingsworth states that it is necessary? Will he stick to his gun and never tell him although Chillingsworth already perceives the truth? I highlighted this passage because the creepy physician (or pediatrician according to Shannon) hints that he knows that being Pearl's father is killing Dimmesdale from guilt, but Chillingsworth wants to hear him admit to it. What will Chillingworth do/say once Dimmesdale states that he was Hester's lover? Will Chillingsworth state that he is Hester's lost husband and will Dimmesdale believe him? Will Chillingsworth start harassing physically or mentally? Would he want Dimmesdale to suffer and keep him alive to watch him? What I would say about this passage is that it caused goosebumps down my the front of my neck. CREEPY! "JUST TELL CHILLINGSWORTH THAT YOU WERE HESTER'S LOVER!"

Nathaniel Hawthrone--- The Scarlet Letter

The Passage on page 116, mid page spoken by Reverend Dimsdale..."They go among their fellow creaters looking pure as a new fallen snow; while their hearts are all speacked and spotted with inqitiy of which they cannot rid themselves." I chose this quote because it was when Dimsdale and Chillingsworth were having this converstaion that i new Dimsdale was sick because of he feels bad for Hester and Pearl. Here he is talking, more justifying why some one would hold a deep secret close to heart. I agree with him in that eventhough most htings should be told just to get htem off your chest to make you feel better, that some thing one cant tell for the sake of others, some one maybe he cares about more then himself, and for that he must live with the pain that comes with the quilt of a reched secret. I highlighted it because i think it is a major turning point in the book. i think that after this conversation with Mr. Dimsdale that Mr. Chillingsworth is suspicious of the fact that maybe.. just maybe..the favorite, nobel, pure as snow reverend is HESTERS LOVER! This then leads to the discovering of the brand upon REverend Dimsdales chest. I wonder if Chillingsworth will take adavantage of this and black mail the reverend or if he will get revenge becasue the yurning of revenge that Chillingsworth has is making him frailier and older then he already was. If chillingsworth reveals DImsdale to the town... will Hester stand up for him and deny Dimsdale as her lover?... Or will She welcome him with open arms when the town casts him off too? Hmmmmmmm.... i also am going to just say that i really liked when pearl grabbed at DImsdales hand and held it with both her tiny hands... almost as if she knew that he was her father without even really knowing.....Bum Bum Bum

Revenge

The passage on page 69 begging "Ask me not!" ending "never the less he is mine"
I like this quote because of its relation to life and human nature. This quote shows Chillingworth's hunger towards her unfaithful wife's accomplice. Chillingworth desires nothing more then to find the man who had wronged both him and his wife. He demands his wife tell him the name of the man yet she refuses. this statement by Chillingworth, "Believe me, Hester, there are few things-wether in the outward world,or ,to a certain depth, in invisible shpere of thought-few things hidden from a man who devotes himself earnestly and unreservedly to the solution of a mystery" reachs down into the through core of the revenge seeking heart. When a man is fueled by a hatred of passion he will regardlessly and fully sacrafice his sheer exsistence to extract his revenge. Chillingworth states that no matter what she does he will discovered the identity of this foul crimson of a man. This shows how revenge though may not be the most effective way of motivation is the most powerful motivater of the human soul. Chillingworth will stop at nothing to achieve his goal, he is blinded to it. He no longer holds any other ambitions, or emotions, he need not rest nor sleep, only that fire down in his heart to compell him forward. Nothing in this world will compell and drive a man like the torment and hatred spawned by the desire of revenge

What is UP with this Pearl chick?

So, pg. 90 " There was a fire in her and throughout her; she seemed the unpremedidtated offshoot of a passioante moment." Then also... pg. 117 "What, in Heaven's name is she? Is the imp altohether evil? Hath she affections? Hath she any disscoverable principle of being?- None,-save the freedom of a broken law." So the quotes aren't that long, but they're very interesting. So Pearl is all freaky-deaky because she is an offshoot of some ILLEGAL sex between Hester and A MINISTER. Talk about SIN. So here comes Pearl, birthed of some weird cosmic vibes, and she's like a devil child. Then the second quote, Dimmesdale and Hester already broke the laws, so then their child is like super lawless. She feels no obligation to the rules of society, but she UNDERSTANDS society, moreso than like anyone else in the novel. That's just weird. She's got some crazzyyyness in her.
So then, there's the concept of predetermination kinda. That the situation in which she was concieved created her as she is. SO what kind of situation creates you? If your parents are married and in love and happy, yay bright and shiny, then what kind of person are you? Blah, that's boring.
More about Pearl. Hawthorne definitely takes his description too far. Yes we get it, she's all impish and devilish. But she's beautiful, and eeriely intelligent. She's intruiging. I don't know, I want to hear about her, I want the author to explain her situation, her thoughts. Where will she go in life? She's such a leper in the community.
It seems that sin creates beauty, sin creates extreme intelligence. Isn't sin good??

scarlet letter blog

"After putting her finger in her mouth, with many ungracious refusals to answer good Mr. Wilson's question, the child finally announced that she had not been made at all, but plucked by her mother off the bush of wild roses, that grew by the prison-door." Page 99 The first thing I thought of when I read this was how Hawthorn described the rose bush in the very begining of this novel. "...with its delicate gems, which might be imagined to offer thier fragrance and fragile beauty to the prisoner as he went in, and to condemned criminal as he came forth to his doom, in token that deep heart of Nature could pity and be kind to him." I think these two quotes put next to each other show how Pearl could possibly be a delicate gem that offers something to criminals going back and forth from prison. It could also be foreshadowing something about Pearls part in this book. Another way this could be describing pearl is her unquestionable beauty, much like a rose flower. It could also point out how pearl may be beautful like a rose bud, but as the saying goes, every rose has it's thorn. Meaing that Pearl could be twisted and evil on the inside and how she'll always be tied down to the jail, or sin that she was made out of. Or she could just be a smart ass to the magistrates, which probably won't help her stay with Hester during the rest of this book.

The Scarlet Letter

" Was that Scarlet Letter, so fantastically embroidered and illuminated upon her bosom. It had the effect of a spell, taking her out of the ordinary relations with humanity, and in closing her in a sphere by herself."
- I like this quote because it describes how this letter that she has to wear on her chest makes her a different person. I imagine how it would be today if this kind of thing happened, which it does regularly. People don't have to wear a letter on their chest they just have to suffer with all the grief and guilt of committing the crime. What if today you cam into town and there was a lady standing in front of the courthouse with a baby. It would probably be a big deal and we as a community would want to know who the father was and all the nity gritty. I think that Hester does a really good job of keeping her feelings inside and not taking them out on her baby Pearl, and her peers. Honestly I feel really bad for Pearl because she was practically born into hell. I think that it is really difficult living alone and having to raise a baby all on her own . Pearl is saving her mom from being killed from her actions, and I think that Hester is aware of that and that's why she wants to teach her baby everything she knows and what is right and what is wrong. I can relate to single moms who have children and how people judge them. They don't know how they feels, yes it is the mothers fault but it's also the fathers fault. It takes two to tango and I think it is wrong that some men just knock a lady up and then just leave her. It's not fair to the child or the mom. Back then in Hester Prynne's time there was no child support or anything to help Hester along. So yes having to wear the Scarlet Letter on her chest does bring shame in some ways but it also shows that she has a lot on her plate and that this is making her a stronger person and I hope that she proves everyone wrong and raises Pearl to be a beautiful young lady who is really smart and means well.

"Wilt thou go with us to-night? There will be a merry company in the forest; and i willnigh promised the Black Man that comely Hester Prynne should make one." pg 103. When Hester Prynne her this old lady yell this to her out the window, she was tempted to go. But of course she couldn't because of Pearl. I personally think that it is very interesting that she wanted to go, it is kind of like she is a witch or a sinful person in her own way just like her daughter being called satin. I also really like this quote because it shows how everyone can have a little devil/ witch in them. Everyone could want to do witch craft. Hester Prynne tells this old lady to make up Hester's excuse on why she couldn't make it there that night. I also think that one of the reasons why she didn't go to the witchcraft meeting that night is because, Hester is afraid her daughter might be taken away from her. I love the compassion that Hester has for her daughter Pearl. It is as if she believes it would be best for Pearl to be growing up with her because she can teach Pearl what she went through to earn that scarlet "A" letter on her chest. But then i also think it is interesting how even though everyone in Boston believes that Pearl is a daemon child, like she came straight from hell. And Hester just does nothing about it. She should stand up for her daughter. I also thought it was a little strange that the old lady wanted Hester to come to their gathering so badly. That when Hester told her she couldn't make it, the old lady got a really depressed look on her face, she was devastated. Maybe Hester even thoughtthat if she went to the meeting she could get the Satan taken away from her daughter or maybe it could have made it even worse?

The Scarlet Letter blog post

The passage on page 81 starting, "This outward mutability indicated, and did not more than farily express, the various properties of her inner life.", and ending "They were now illuminated by the morning radiance of a young child's disposition, but, later in the day of earthly existence, might be prolific of the storm and whirlwind." I chose these passage from the book because I am so thoroughly lost trying to grasp what this book is saying that I cannot determin if this is a symbolic passage or not. I did like the vivid picture this passage painted in your mind but I would just be bullshitting if I tried to explain what it meant. I am not entirely sure if I am a fan of The Scarlet Letter purely because I cannot follow what is going on. I get the main ideas of the chapters most of the time but the inbetween details are all just a compounded blur. Nathaniel Hawthorne's writing style is a style that I have a very hard time getting into. I feel like whenever I read this book it is more so me just rambling of a list of words with no meaning intertwining them. Back to the main reason for this blog though; I did like the way this passage was written and how in this chapter the true personality of Hester's daughter Pearl comes out. I respect the complexity of the book and how it is written, and among the madness I have enjoyed some of it, but overall I find it hard to become to involved with The Scarlet Letter.

Pearl's False Perception

I chose the passage on the bottom of page 103, "Even thus early the child saved her from Satan's snare." This particular passage follows Hesters conversation with Mistress Hibbins, when Hester was invited to go to the woods and meet the Black Man. The passage introduces Pearl as a character that is not loathed, like previously put forth by the Bostonians. Because of Pearl's birth into an awkward situation where both her parents are considered sinful, these townsfolk have labelled her with a fallacious accusation. Here, Nathaniel Hawthone portrays Pearl as someone who is helping out her mother by just being there. The view of Pearl being a possessed child is almost pushed aside as Hester denies the invitation to sign her name in the devil's book.

It is almost ironic, the fact that as Pearl is being compared to the devil, she is now the antithesis of the devil, avoiding a potentially harmful, and for sure sinful, situtation for her already corrupted mother. Pearl her can live up to her namesake as a treasure while she clears her name from false assumptions. Hawthorne once again uses irony to enhance the interpretation in his writing, as is present throughout his novel. With the use of "thus far" in the passage it almost feels like Hawthone may be foreshadowing into the book, showing that Pearl may help out her mother in similar situations involving the selling of herself to the devil. And she will be a light of hope at the end of the tunnel when things turn bad.

Whitman quotes exploration: Heaven and Hell for everyone

For my essay, I think I’d like to explore the idea of how everyone has the same amount heaven and hell in their life, going off of a few Whitman passages. There are a number of quotes from “Song of Myself” that I think work around this idea, and would use them throughout an exploratory essay to get my point across. (Sorry, I don’t have the poem on me to quote him directly right now.) The main thing I would discuss is how it may seem on the surface that some people have a life easier than others, but when it comes down to it, they just have different forms of struggle than others. I want people to see that the world is not full of uneven distributions of good and bad, but that everyone has the same amount of each, just more weight in different areas. This is something everyone needs to see, to both let them know that they aren’t alone in suffering or good fortune, and also to show them that drawing conclusions before knowing all the facts is an awful disease that seems to be taking over our society. I don’t think I’ll stick to Whitman’s ideas too closely, more so formulating my own as I go. Also, I don’t intend on telling a story, but if you have any ideas on how this could work well in a different form than my exploratory essay structure, please share, because I’m not exactly sure how well the format is going to work.

Equality Is A Chain!

Ya so this isnt gonna be my first few paragraphs of my essay but im gonna basically make it on of my crazy rants that is unfair and ridiculous. Imataion is suicide, I fully agree with this statement. I believe that too many people take their lives and or their bodies and try too much to imitate the picture of perfect that has been painted in their mind by the media. Now I think that everybody should strive to be happy and beautiful these days because there is also a mass of people that don't strive for fittness and care little about their image, but the problem lies in the fact that nobody paints there own picture of beauty, happiness, or even freedom. When someone creates their own portrait and makes it a goal to strive for, they usually end up making the portrait because it is self set, yet if the picture perfect is set in your mind by something else there is nothing stopping it from being reset by an other image. Even if u reach your goal of imitaion then u r nothing, a hallow shell, a hallow shell to be jugded, toyed, and played with, much like a doll. (Now somewhere i have to transfer to equality) To many people believe in equality these days. Eqaulity will not set anyone free, Eqaulity is not a natural standard, Equality must be monitered by the people, it cannot be born! It will never be acheived! I feel that eqaulity is not freedom but chains! Chains that wrap both the great and the mediocre and drag them down to the level of the weak and un intelligent. Equality will not bring anyone up, it can not make someone smarter, nor can it make someone stronger in character, no it can only blind the masses to great! seeing everyone as equal is a joke a creul joke that people put blind faith in because they feel it is the right thing to do. You must see my point if everyone is viewed as equal than no one can stand out! No one man can rise to greatness through Equality. Equality is a perversion of natural order! it anchors the Excellent and drags them down into mediocrity. Ya so thats the plan ummm give me comments, critizims, help with the transition, or just yell at me all are welcome.

I doubt I'll use this in my final paper but it's an interesting rant

*So just tell me what you think about this, it's probably too informal and sarcasticy to use but I got going and just couldn't stop. Do you agree... typical American life? Anything I forgot?

The typical “American Dream”, what would Thoreau think of that? It revolves around ideas such as money and possessions, example: respectable job, white picket fence house etc. It seems society has a set path that should be the goal of everyone to follow.

It may go something like this: First you must attend high school. You should get good grades, impress boards and governments with high standardized test scores. You should also be social, have school spirit, make friends, and even have high school lover. You may also engage in after school sports and activities like soccer, theater or various school clubs (just make sure to be well rounded).

Then, it’s off to college. By now you should have gotten good enough test scores and achieved enough well roundedness to get into a prestigious college, possibly even an ivy league. Of course you were smart enough to get plenty of scholarships. In college you will take intellectual classes, be inspired by a professor and learn amazing things. Again, you will also have to be social and you will meet new people, live in close quarters with a dorm mate, go to college parties and have a few too many lovers. At this point you will also have to start thinking about getting a part time job, renting an apartment after few years, oh and figure out your future career path. After about four years you will earn your degree and graduate.

After that, you can step out into the “real world”. This means you will have to get a job. You will probably follow your planned career path and hopefully find some good paying job. You will work 5 hard, long days a week 9am to 5pm. The majority of your time will be behind a computer. At your job you will make friends with your coworkers, hate your boss, get promoted, and maybe even earn a bonus. At this point in the typical American life you will find your future husband or wife. This may include a) reconnecting with past high school lover, b) meeting someone at a party, c) (unethically) falling in love with someone from work, or d) meeting someone over the web on an online singles dating website! After buying your first suburban 3 bedroom, 3 bath house you will continue “settling down” by having a large, white wedding. It will be the best night of your life, besides high school prom. Then you will have two or three kids who are the cutest children in the whole world.

At this point you may go through a mid-life crisis, you might loose your job or get a divorce, or maybe both! This will be a hard time for you, but you will get through it along with your $80 and hour counselor. At the age of around 60 you will retire and live at home for a few more years. Then you will be moved into a retirement home, assisted living or nursing home. Here you will spend the rest of your days until you die.