As demonstrated, the notion of love incites much of the action in The Scarlet Letter. Romantic love envelops Hester and Dimmesdale in a veil of secrecy and is what conceals the identity of Pearl’s father from the reader. Familial love is what characterizes Hester as a protective and loving mother. Upon further examination it also complicates the reader’s characterizations of Dimmesdale and Chillingworth. Dimmesdale is clearly acting out of love for Hester, but is he acting out of love for Pearl? If so, why are his actions so easily explained by fears of the exposing of his affair and romantic love for Hester? Moreover, why would Chillingworth leave his estate to Pearl, an unceasing reminder of the fact that his wife was unfaithful? This examination
In the book “The Scarlet Letter,” Hester’s silence gives power over both Reverend Dimmesdale and Chillingworth. Battista’s article shows that Hester, Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth play a vital role in analyzing the novel’s worth.
The Romantic era, occurring roughly from the early to mid 1800’s, was the period of reformation that shaped the society into one that valued latitude over order; this contrasted from the rigid, legalistic Puritan society that had been prevalent prior to the Romantic era. Through the newfound freedom of expression that was introduced during this period, many literary pieces that reflected these ideas began to surface. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter and James Russell Lowell’s The First Snowfall exemplify the romantic element of reverence for nature through the depiction of a placating snowfall and the isolating outskirts of society; these enhance the themes of romanticism by suggesting that reverence for nature may liberate one from his/her nostalgic griefs and suppressed emotions.
Dimmesdale who is one of the main character in the Scarlet letter by Nathaniel hawthorne, appeared to be sick and haved sinned. Dimmesdale and hester prynne both have commit the sin adultery. Hester was punished but Dimmesdale had hid his sin for only Hester knew until her husband came and found out.
In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, both Dimmesdale and Hester have grievously sinned in the eyes of the Puritan community. However, while Hester lives with her guilt publicly displayed in the form of the scarlet letter and Pearl, Dimmesdale hides his sin from the community and tries to continue as their saintly pastor. Yet, this concealment is not without consequences, as Dimmesdale suffers from horrible guilt as he denies his sin from his community, and thus denies himself forgiveness for his sin. Finally resolving to tell the truth on his deathbed, Dimmesdale dies after triumphantly punishment of having Chillingworth and Pearl as his personal tormentors. However, though Dimmesdale manages to overcome Chillingworth and Pearl, he
In the twenty-second chapter of The Scarlet Letter, the occupants of the town are gathered for the Election Day speeches. Hester and Pearl watch as the clergyman, the soldiers, and the magistrates, among many others, begin speaking. Among the many authority figures, Hester and Pearl see Dimmesdale marching along with an unusually positive demeanor. His strange behavior makes it difficult for Hester to recognize him and brings about unease. This is shown when “Pearl either saw and responded to her mother’s feelings, or herself felt the remoteness and intangibility that had fallen around the minister,” (215) before asking her mother if that was the Dimmesdale that kissed her by the brook. This shows Hester’s confusion by Dimmesdale’s behavior
Romanticism was a vital part of literature throughout America in the 18th century. Nathaniel Hawthorne, who was an author during this time period, utilizes numerous values of Romanticism within his writings, including his book, The Scarlet Letter. Corresponding with his fellow romantic author, Ralph Waldo Emerson’s, quote “Do not go where the path may lead; go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail” Hawthorne develops his characters with romanticism’s attributes. An example of this can be found in the character Pearl Prynne, the daughter of Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale. Pearl displays intuition and individuality, showcasing the morals of Romanticism and revealing the importance of being unique.
A Puritans FollyNever forget that only dead fish swim with the stream. -Malcolm Muggeridge. This famous quote justifies that to be an individual, one must break from society and think for himself, and only when he has done this, is he truly alive. Nathaniel Hawthornes novel The Scarlet Letter is about a courageous woman, Hester Prynne, and her struggle to split from society in order to live the loving life she has always wanted. By the use of symbolism, Hawthorne is effectively able to portray the forest, which promotes individuality, and the town, which rewards conformity. The clothes portrayed by the Puritans, the town, are dull and plain whereas those expressed by the Romantics, the forest, are vivid and eccentric. Also, the various
From pages 129-158, the altered definition of Hester’s scarlet letter, Dimmesdale’s internal conflict with his conscience, his earnest determination for a solution, the progression in time, and Pearl’s perspective on Hester’s “A” are major actions that take place. Previously, readers may note the decline in Dimmesdale’s mental and physical health. Hawthorne describes this predicament as a “bodily disease” and “black trouble of the soul” that gnaws and tortures Dimmesdale (123). The unusual Roman-like practices he performs instead of the Puritan ones are significant details observed in this dilemma as well.
In Nathaniel Hawthorne’s time-honored novel, The Scarlet Letter, the relationship between Pearl and her biological father, Arthur Dimmesdale, changes from that of unfamiliarity and fear to one of love and acceptance. Throughout most of the novel, Dimmesdale is unable to face Pearl without being reminded of his sin and he becomes estranged to his own child. As a result, Pearl lacks a true connection with her father which becomes a detriment to her own behavior. However, in the end of the novel, Dimmesdale is able to bridge the gap between himself and Pearl before his death by revealing his true identity to the public. Subsequently, this changed relationship between the two characters allows
It was revealed that Dimmesdale was Hester’s lover but hester revealed something else. She revealed that Dimmesdale is the only one who can sway her mind. Hester had never wanted to leave and thought she should stay her life to dignify her sin, but Dimmesdale shows bad health. Hester is worried about Chillingworth. Dimmesdale and hester both say He has violated, in cold blood, the sanctity of a human heart. Chillingworth is slowly sucking the life out of Dimmesdale and they believe the best way is for them to start over again. While they both feel joyful, Hester lets down her hair and throws the scarlet letter near the brook hoping her sin would drift away. Pearl then throws a fit how Hester should put the scarlet letter back on. This is showing that Pearl is used to seeing her mom with it since pearl has seen it on her mother her whole life. She then complains how Dimmesdale is taking attention between the bond with Hester and Pearl. Furthermore, Pearl goes to ask Dimmesdale the same thing as she has said before, will you come on the scaffold with
Dimmesdale is never involved in Pearl’s childhood for fear of ruining his dignity. In the rare instance when Dimmesdale shows fondness towards Pearl in secrecy of the forest, he bends “forward and impressed [a kiss] on her brow. Hereupon, Pearl broke from her mother, and... bathed her forehead, until the unwelcome kiss was quite washed off, and diffused through a long lapse of the gliding water” (Hawthorne, 194). Pearl’s response to the kiss exemplifies her inability to love; this destruction is caused by Dimmesdale’s incompetence to claim being Pearl’s father. As children who do not receive care from both parents are incapable of blossoming, Pearl’s maturation is halted from a lack of a father figure early on in her childhood. Some may argue that Dimmesdale’s neglect of Pearl both parents. In turn, Hester and Pearl’s mother-daughter relationship is strengthened. This argument is supported from Hester receiving letters from Pearl; this shows the strong long-distance relationship that Pearl and Hester maintain (293). Nevertheless, Pearl is left with no father image. If Dimmesdale truly cared about the relationship with his daughter, he would have fought to live instead of leaving Pearl, one again, abandoned by her
The main characters in this story are Hester Prynne, Roger Chillingworth, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Pearl. Hester Prynne is from New England, she married a man named Roger Chillingworth. Their plan was to move to Boston together, Hester would go first and Roger would follow. Roger never showed up, so Hester had an affair with Arthur Dimmesdale and had a child with him. Hester is shamed and alienated from the town, Hester becomes very independent. Roger Chillingworth has a distorted soul, he is unable to engage in relationships, he represents true evil. Roger eventually dies because he no longer has a reason to live. Arthur Dimmesdale was a scholar at Oxford University, he is also the lover of Hester Prynne. Arthur is a very powerful speaker, more people look up to him after The Election Day Sermon. Arthur confesses to being Hester’s lover. Arthur dies, but he becomes more of an icon because of his death. Pearl is the daughter of Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale. Pearl is a very disturbed child, she asks very direct questions, and she constantly makes her mother aware of the scarlet letter by taunting her and playing with it.
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter concludes with Arthur Dimmesdale and Hester Prynne finding each other in the forest and receiving another’s forgiveness. However, at this heart-touching moment, Dimmesdale still refuses to confess his actions to the public, even against the wishes of Pearl. However, later in town, Dimmesdale after completing a sermon he ascends the steps of the scaffold with Hester and Pearl to confess in front of the congregation, showing his very own scarlet letter embedded upon his breast. Immediately after admitting to his wrong-doings, Pearl bestows him the kiss he as so desperately wanted and dies.
The Scarlet Letter is a brilliant novel depicting the life of Hester Prynne after having an affair with a local reverend. Hester Prynne, at first ravenous and distraught in her jail cell, soon overcomes her situation by finding peace in her daughter Pearl. Even though the rest of the city has shunned her, Hester credits God for blessing her with a wonderful daughter from her sinful affair. However, every coin has two sides. Hester’s lover, and Pearl’s father, Rev. Dimmesdale finds himself in an increasingly worse situation. Dimmesdale, not having the same closure that Hester did in Pearl, begins to become filled with guilt and worry. This eventually leads to him developing a heart condition and unknowingly seeking treatment from Hester’s fiendish long lost husband, Roger Chillingworth. Chillingworth is hell-bent on tormenting Hester and her lover for betraying him. Even though
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter narrates the terrible consequences of a single act of adultery in the town of Boston in the early 17th century. The main character, Hester Prynne, is forced to wear a Scarlet Letter ‘A’ as punishment for her sin. The novel was published in the 19th century during the Romantic period of literature. Romanticism is a philosophy that emphasizes individualism and a belief that mankind is innately good. It constitutes nature as fundamentally good and society as inherently corrupt. Classicism, the opposing ideal, focuses on organized society as a way of correcting the inherent evil in mankind. The Scarlet Letter explores the complex interplay between a person, nature and society. While the novel seems sympathetic to romantic ideals, it ultimately argues for a balance between the two philosophies.