The Scarlet Letter By: Nathaniel Hathorne
Page 168
"The excitement of Mr. Dimmesdal's feelings, as he returned from his interview with Hester, lent him unaccustomed physical energy, and hurried him townward at a rapid pace. The pathway among the woods seemed wilder, more uncouth with its rude natural obstacles, and less troddren by the foot of man, than he remembered it on his outward journey. But he leaped across the plashy places, thrust himself through the clinging underbrush, climbed the ascent, plunged into the hollow, and overcame, in short, all the difficulties of the track, with an unweariable activity that astonished him."
Prior to Dimmesdale's meeting with Hester he had been living a lie and a life surrounded by secrets. No one knew but Hester what his sin was and this guilt trapped him and made him drown in despair. When he met with Hester he faced his sin and it was a freeing experience. So much so that what previously he had struggle to do he did enthusiastically. Through this Dimmesdale experienced the freedom truth can provide.
Showing posts with label The Scarlet Letter Quotes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Scarlet Letter Quotes. Show all posts
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Hester sympathizes with Dimmesdale
The Scarlet Letter By: Nathaniel Hawthorne
Page 133
"... answered she. "But let it pass! It is yonder miserable man that I would speak."
"And what of him?" cried Roger Chillingworth eargerly, as if he loved the topic, and were glad of an opportunity to discuss it with the only person of whom he could make a confidant. "Not to hide truth, Mistress Hester, my thoughts just happen to be busy with the gentleman. So speak freely; and I will make answer."
"When we spake together," said Hester, "now seven years ago, it was your pleasure to extort a promise of secrecy, as touching the former relation betwixt yourself and me. As the life and good fame of yonder man were in your hands, there seemed no choice to me, save to be silent, in accordance with your behest. Yet it was hot without heavy misgivings that i thus bound myself; for, in having cast off all duty towards other human beings, there remained a duty towards him; and something whispered to me that I was betraying it, in pledging myself to keep your counsel."
In this section we see a profound concern of human nature. Despite the suffering of Hester, she still feels sympathy for Dimmesdale and feels she owes him the truth. She sees the pain her former husband is putting him through and wishes she could stop this pain. This shows an natural impulse that verifies the idea that everyone has a conscience and guilt can make people act.
Page 133
"... answered she. "But let it pass! It is yonder miserable man that I would speak."
"And what of him?" cried Roger Chillingworth eargerly, as if he loved the topic, and were glad of an opportunity to discuss it with the only person of whom he could make a confidant. "Not to hide truth, Mistress Hester, my thoughts just happen to be busy with the gentleman. So speak freely; and I will make answer."
"When we spake together," said Hester, "now seven years ago, it was your pleasure to extort a promise of secrecy, as touching the former relation betwixt yourself and me. As the life and good fame of yonder man were in your hands, there seemed no choice to me, save to be silent, in accordance with your behest. Yet it was hot without heavy misgivings that i thus bound myself; for, in having cast off all duty towards other human beings, there remained a duty towards him; and something whispered to me that I was betraying it, in pledging myself to keep your counsel."
In this section we see a profound concern of human nature. Despite the suffering of Hester, she still feels sympathy for Dimmesdale and feels she owes him the truth. She sees the pain her former husband is putting him through and wishes she could stop this pain. This shows an natural impulse that verifies the idea that everyone has a conscience and guilt can make people act.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
What Doesn't Kill You
The Scarlet Letter By: Nathaniel Hawthorne
page 156
Hester has just told Dimmesdale he will not leave the town alone but only inferred that she might go with him.
"The tendency of her fate and fortunes had been to set her free. The scarlet letter was her passport into regions where other women dared not tread. Shame, Despair, Solitude! These had been her teachers, -stern and wild ones, -and they had made her strong, but taught her much amiss."
Hester is free from worrying about what people think. Through all the pain of being isolated she came to a place of self reliance and self confidence. This is a universal statement that though we all will stumble and face trials, if we can learn from these hard times they will make us stronger.
page 156
Hester has just told Dimmesdale he will not leave the town alone but only inferred that she might go with him.
"The tendency of her fate and fortunes had been to set her free. The scarlet letter was her passport into regions where other women dared not tread. Shame, Despair, Solitude! These had been her teachers, -stern and wild ones, -and they had made her strong, but taught her much amiss."
Hester is free from worrying about what people think. Through all the pain of being isolated she came to a place of self reliance and self confidence. This is a universal statement that though we all will stumble and face trials, if we can learn from these hard times they will make us stronger.
A Vision of Guilt
The Scarlet Letter By: Nathaniel Hawthorne
Page 114
Mr. Dimmesdale, the clergyman and Hester's Pastor is experiencing extreme guilt for causing Hester to wear the scarlet letter as he is the father of her child.
"And now, through the chamber which these spectral thoughts had made so ghastly, glided Hester Prynne, leading along little Pearl, in her scarlet garb, and pointing her forefinger, first at the scarlet letter on her bosom, and then at the clergyman's own breast."
This is the turning point for Dimmesdale, where he is starting to feel overwhelmed and suffocated by the guilt of his sin. Roger Chillingworth has been prying at the clergyman and trying to get him to admit his sin. He feels so guilty in fact that he is imagining Hester revealing him as a sinner. This quote shows that human nature is trying to avoid getting caught in a wrong and ultimately feeling guilty.
Page 114
Mr. Dimmesdale, the clergyman and Hester's Pastor is experiencing extreme guilt for causing Hester to wear the scarlet letter as he is the father of her child.
"And now, through the chamber which these spectral thoughts had made so ghastly, glided Hester Prynne, leading along little Pearl, in her scarlet garb, and pointing her forefinger, first at the scarlet letter on her bosom, and then at the clergyman's own breast."
This is the turning point for Dimmesdale, where he is starting to feel overwhelmed and suffocated by the guilt of his sin. Roger Chillingworth has been prying at the clergyman and trying to get him to admit his sin. He feels so guilty in fact that he is imagining Hester revealing him as a sinner. This quote shows that human nature is trying to avoid getting caught in a wrong and ultimately feeling guilty.
The Infant Pearl
The Scarlet Letter By: Nathaniel Hawthorne
Page 71
Introducing Hester's Infant Hawthorne describes how important she has become to Hester.
"But she named the infant 'Pearl' as being of great price, -purchased with all she had, -her mother's only treasure!"
In having Pearl represented that Hester's life was changed forever. The action leading to Pearl's birth cost Hester everything. She lost any chance of having her husband when he arrived in town, having any husband for that matter and she lost touch with her community as she was sentenced to public isolation. Because Hester would not give up the name of the infants father all Pearl has in the world is Hester and all Hester has is Pearl. This is universal as it describes the inseparable bond between a mother and her child.
Page 71
Introducing Hester's Infant Hawthorne describes how important she has become to Hester.
"But she named the infant 'Pearl' as being of great price, -purchased with all she had, -her mother's only treasure!"
In having Pearl represented that Hester's life was changed forever. The action leading to Pearl's birth cost Hester everything. She lost any chance of having her husband when he arrived in town, having any husband for that matter and she lost touch with her community as she was sentenced to public isolation. Because Hester would not give up the name of the infants father all Pearl has in the world is Hester and all Hester has is Pearl. This is universal as it describes the inseparable bond between a mother and her child.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Hester's Sentence
The Scarlet Letter By: Nathaniel Hawthorne (page 51)
The stranger who is accompanied by the indian is inquiring about the lady on the platform of the pillory to a townsperson.
Townsperson-
"Thus she will be a living sermon against sin, until the ignominious letter be engraved upon her tombstone."
Hester Prynne has just been labeled as an adulteress for all to see. She will be isolated and humiliated for the rest of her life. Even in her death her tombstone will display that letter that represents shame and sin. This quote represents Hester's circumstance and the judicial tendencies. The town is one that fights to keep all sin out of their town. The government officials decide to use her as a symbol for sin. How will Hester continue to live her life and raise her child? What is the stranger's interest in Hester? These are vital questions to the plot of The Scarlet Letter. This quote is the first time the severity of Hester's punishment is realized. Originally when the reader finds that the punishment for adultery is death they believe Hester to be getting a relaxed punishment but to be degraded as a sinner for the rest of her life sounds more like torture.
The stranger who is accompanied by the indian is inquiring about the lady on the platform of the pillory to a townsperson.
Townsperson-
"Thus she will be a living sermon against sin, until the ignominious letter be engraved upon her tombstone."
Hester Prynne has just been labeled as an adulteress for all to see. She will be isolated and humiliated for the rest of her life. Even in her death her tombstone will display that letter that represents shame and sin. This quote represents Hester's circumstance and the judicial tendencies. The town is one that fights to keep all sin out of their town. The government officials decide to use her as a symbol for sin. How will Hester continue to live her life and raise her child? What is the stranger's interest in Hester? These are vital questions to the plot of The Scarlet Letter. This quote is the first time the severity of Hester's punishment is realized. Originally when the reader finds that the punishment for adultery is death they believe Hester to be getting a relaxed punishment but to be degraded as a sinner for the rest of her life sounds more like torture.
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