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.