The Scarlet Letter
1. Hester Prynne has committed the unspeakable sin of adultery. Instead of receiving the traditional penalty of death, it is decided that she will stand in the town square for 3 hours wearing a scarlet letter A (which stands for adulterer), and will continue to wear it for the remainder of her life. She has given birth to a baby girl, but she refuses to name the father, choosing to endure both of their agonies alone. Hester receives a visit from her husband, whom many though dead, who wishes to know the name of the father of the child. Hester does not speak, but does make an oath to not reveal his true identity, as he wishes to not be known as a dishonored man. He leaves as Roger Chillingworth, determined to reveal the identity of the father. After being released from prison, Hester settled on a cottage located on the outskirts of town. In the next seven years, Hester supports herself and her daughter Pearl, with her incredible stitch work. In these seven years, she is also made an outcast of society, frowned upon by the townspeople for her sin, and completely alone with her daughter as her only companion. Meanwhile, the father of Pearl, is slowly decaying from the guilt of his sin. Meanwhile, her former husband, now posing as a physician, has taken up residence with Hester’s partner in sin. He slowly gets under his skin, and poisons his soul and heart. After speaking with Hester, he becomes aware of Chillingworth’s of posing as his friend, while slowly torturing his mind. Hester convinces him to leave New England and return to their homeland in England. This however, will never be as it is stopped by complications.2. I think the overall theme of the book is human corruption. Hawthorne may have intended to explain corruption by sin. Not the action of it, but its consequences and its effect on humans. Hester accepted her sin, and after a couple years is slowly accepted somewhat into society as a woman of incredible strength, and a doer of good deeds. Meanwhile, her former husband is affected by her sin, as he is consumed with revenge against the man who wronged him and sinned along with Hester. The greatest corruption, is the minister’s. Dimmesdale is highly revered by the townspeople, but little do they know that he carries a heavy secret in his corrupted heart.
3. I choose this book after hearing of it for the first time in the movie Easy A, which attempts to tell a very loosely based modern version of The Scarlet Letter. I wanted to actually read the novel, and I waited for an opportunity I knew would come in high school. I knew some of the plot, but once I started the book, I barely made it through the first three chapters. However, I was hooked and I found the strange way in which he depicts Hester, the sinner, as a type of protagonist interesting. 4. I found this book unrealistic, as Hawthorne makes many things improbable. First of all, the arrival of Hester’s former husband, on the exact day in which she is stand in the square, after being captured by Indians and escaping is farfetched. Secondly, the same main characters who were there at the beginning of the novel when Hester was standing in the square, just happen all be there when Dimmesdale has his breakdown in the middle of the night. Yet another example is Dimmesdale’s dramatic death, after finally revealing his death. I can make some connections to Hester, in the aspect of her dignity. Even if you’re different, and society sees it as a bad thing, embrace who you are, and you shouldn’t be afraid to show it.
5. The tone of The Scarlet Letter varies throughout the story. It starts off almost sarcastically, in mocking tone. In the very first chapter, Hawthorne seems to make fun of a simply serious and gloomy story, “But on one side of the portal, and rooted almost at the threshold, was a wild rose-bush, covered, in this month of June, with its delicate gems, which might be imagined to offer their fragrance and fragile beauty to the prisoner as he went in, and to the condemned criminal as he came forth to his doom, in token that the deep heart of Nature could pity and be kind to him.”(Hawthorne 10) As the story progresses, the author changes to a more pitiful tone, as can be seen in Chapter 5, “Here, she said to herself, had been the scene of her guilt, and here should be the scene of her earthly punishment; and so, perchance, the torture of her daily shame would at length purge her soul, and work out another purity than that which she had lost; more saint-like, because the result of martyrdom.”(Hawthorne 39) The story also has a darker tone near the end, “The unfortunate physician, while uttering these words, lifted his hands with a look of horror, as if he had beheld some frightful shape, which he could not recognize, usurping the place of his own image in a glass. It was one of those moments—which sometimes occur only at the interval of years—when a man's moral aspect is faithfully revealed to his mind's eye. Not improbably, he had never before viewed himself as he did now.” (Hawthorne 125)
6. The book is full of symbolism in every chapter, if not every page.
a. The biggest symbol is obviously the Scarlet Letter. From the beginning of the book, it represents Hester’s sin, adultery, but over the course of the novel comes to symbolize her strength, as well as her sin.
“But the point which drew all eyes, and, as it were, transfigured the wearer,—so that both men and women, who had been familiarly acquainted with Hester Prynne, were now impressed as if they beheld her for the first time,—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 enclosing her in a sphere by herself.” (Hawthorne 15)
b. Another important symbol is Pearl. She is the embodiment of Hester’s sin, and like the scarlet letter, a reminder of it. She also symbolizes Hester’s guilt, but also her strength to continue living.
b. Another important symbol is Pearl. She is the embodiment of Hester’s sin, and like the scarlet letter, a reminder of it. She also symbolizes Hester’s guilt, but also her strength to continue living.
“She is my happiness!—she is my torture, none the less! Pearl keeps me here in life! Pearl punishes me too! See ye not, she is the scarlet letter, only capable of being loved, and so endowed with a million-fold the power of retribution for my sin?” (Hawthorne 69)
c. Pearl’s name is also another symbol in the story. This symbol is not the same as Pearl, as Pearl’s existence represents something else entirely. Pearl’s name represents the great price at which her mother obtained her.
c. Pearl’s name is also another symbol in the story. This symbol is not the same as Pearl, as Pearl’s existence represents something else entirely. Pearl’s name represents the great price at which her mother obtained her.
“For so had Hester called her; not as a name expressive of her aspect, which had nothing of the calm, white, unimpassioned lustre that would be indicated by the comparison. But she named the infant “Pearl,” as being of great price,—purchased with all she had,—her mother's only treasure.” (Hawthorne 47)
d. The scaffold is yet another example of symbolism. It symbolizes judgment, as it is where Hester is questioned, where she stands for her punishment, and where Dimmesdale confesses.
d. The scaffold is yet another example of symbolism. It symbolizes judgment, as it is where Hester is questioned, where she stands for her punishment, and where Dimmesdale confesses.
“It was, in short, the platform of the pillory; and above it rose the framework of that instrument of discipline, so fashioned as to confine the human head in its tight grasp, and thus hold it up to the public gaze.” (Hawthorne 16)
e. Roger Chillingworth is a symbol for revenge. He symbolizes the dark side of intellect. Once a kind noble man of intellect, he was consumed for his need for revenge and uses his intellect in a cold, almost evil, manner instead.
“But the former aspect of an intellectual and studious man, calm and quiet, which was what she best remembered in him, had altogether vanished, and been succeeded by an eager, searching, almost fierce, yet carefully guarded look.” (Hawthorne 123)
f. An example of personification is in Chapter 16, when Hawthorne gives human qualities to a brook, which helps bring about a more melancholy tone to the chapter.
“But the brook, in the course of its little lifetime among the forest-trees, had gone through so solemn an experience that it could not help talking about it, and seemed to have nothing else to say.” (Hawthorne 139)
g. Another example of personification is Hawthorne’s depiction of the forest as a playmate of Pearl’s.
“The great black forest—stern as it showed itself to those who brought the guilt and troubles of the world into its bosom—became the playmate of the lonely infant, as well as it knew how. Sombre as it was, it put on the kindest of its moods to welcome her. It offered her the partridge-berries…” (Hawthorne 155)
h. The forest is symbol for evil, but freedom of society’s views and laws. It symbolizes as a place where witches meet, where the “Black Man” roams in search of souls, and a place where sinners can find some peace for a while.
“…into the mystery of the primeval forest. This hemmed it in so narrowly, and stood so black and dense on either side, and disclosed such imperfect glimpses of the sky above, that, to Hester's mind, it imaged not amiss the moral wilderness in which she had so long been wandering…” (Hawthorne 136)
i. The Black Man serves as a symbol for evil, or Satan himself. He is mentioned throughout the novel many times by Pearl, as well as other characters. The Black Man roams the land with a black book in which souls write in their blood to make deals with him.
“How he haunts this forest, and carries a book with him,—a big, heavy book, with iron clasps; and how this ugly Black Man offers his book and an iron pen to everybody that meets him here among the trees; and they are to write their names with their own blood. And then he sets his mark on their bosoms! Didst thou ever meet the Black Man, mother?” (Hawthorne 137)
k. The broken glass on the governor’s house in chapter 7 serves as a symbol for pain. Although the house has a cheery appearance in which broken glass is covering the house, and reflects sunlight in a beautiful way. Even though the glass resembles diamonds sparkling, it is still broken trying to appear beautiful.
“It had, indeed, a very cheery aspect; the walls being overspread with a kind of stucco, in which fragments of broken glass were plentifully intermixed; so that, when the sunshine fell aslant-wise over the front of the edifice, it glittered and sparkled as if diamonds had been flung against it by the double handful.” (Hawthorne 59)
CHARACTERIZATION
Another example is Chapter 6 entirely, as it is completely devoted to explaining Pearl’s appearance, as well as her personality. “We have spoken of Pearl's rich and luxuriant beauty; a beauty that shone with deep and vivid tints; a bright complexion, eyes possessing intensity both of depth and glow, and hair already of a deep, glossy brown, and which, in after years, would be nearly akin to black. There was fire in her and throughout her; she seemed the unpremeditated offshoot of a passionate moment.” (Hawthorne 58)
An example of indirect characterization is Hawthorne’s portrayal of Hester using the thoughts of others to further develop her character. Hawthorne uses indirect characterization when speaking of the Black Man. He never describes him, rather uses the characters to begin and develop him.
2. Hawthorne changes his dictation when speaking of Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth. He depicts Hester as a strong protagonist, when she is supposed to be a pitied sinner. He speaks rather harshly of her at points, but he speaks generally positive about her. Dimmesdale’s character, like Hester’s, is supposed to be a negative character who is frowned upon for his sins. He however, is seen as another protagonist. Even though he should be hated for his cowardice, he is spoken of in a pitiful tone. Chillingworth, who in other works would be the victim, is portrayed as the villain. He who was wronged, is spoken of in a dark tone. An example would be Hester’s talk with him by the forest. He is portrayed as a character who is evil for his deeds, and because of his hurt has changed into a malignant human being.
3. I believe Hester to be a static character. Although some people may disagree, Hester does change throughout the novel. At the beginning she is a strong woman, who at first is reluctant to show the letter. By the end she is indifferent to it and although it still reminds her of her past, she has come to a sort of peace with it. She is definitely round, as she is described multiple times throughout the novel, both physically and personality wise.
4. I feel like I have met Hester Prynne. Not just her but Pearl as well. Both of them were well depicted, and I do feel like I have met them, and know their struggles. I feel for Hester’s end, and it did make me somewhat depressed. Well not depressed, but it made me feel some sadness for her. She was a strong woman who even in the face of rejection by society is still proud of herself. “So said Hester Prynne, and glanced her sad eyes downward at the scarlet letter. And, after many, many years, a new grave was delved, near an old and sunken one, in that burial-ground beside which King's Chapel has since been built. It was near that old and sunken grave, yet with a space between, as if the dust of the two sleepers had no right to mingle. Yet one tombstone served for both. All around, there were monuments carved with armorial bearings; and on this simple slab of slate—as the curious investigator may still discern, and perplex himself with the purport—there appeared the semblance of an engraved escutcheon. It bore a device, a herald's wording of which might serve for a motto and brief description of our now concluded legend; so sombre is it, and relieved only by one ever-glowing point of light gloomier than the shadow:—“On a field, sable, the letter A, gules.” (Hawthorne 221)
Enduring Memory
An idea that I will remember is to be sure of your choices. If you’re going to do something that some people may not like, be sure that you want to. You must be sure you want to, and that you will be able to live with your choice, no matter how embarrassing it is. “Here, she said to herself, had been the scene of her guilt, and here should be the scene of her earthly punishment…Hester Prynne, therefore, did not flee…” (Hawthorne 39) Although she could have left the town and started over, Hester chose to stay, which shows her strength and dignity. She knew that even if she had left, the guilt would still haunt her. Another important lesson I will remember is how our choices not only affect us but the people around us. Hester’s choice affected Pearl in that she was known as a demon-child, who had no friends in the town. Her choice to keep quiet affected Dimmesdale, whose guilt eventually killed him. Lastly, her choice affected Chillingworth, firstly in causing him to change his name due to shame. It also caused him to slowly become confused with a vengeful nature that ultimately kills him and Dimmesdale.
