The Scarlet Letter, Post Two: I Like it When I'm Right

In literature, readers often have an "aha!" moment. This moment is probably one of the best feelings a reader can have, and I definitely had it in the middle of this book. Remember my last post when I said that I'm pretty sure Dimmesdale is the father of Pearl? Well, I was right. Aha!

In the middle of the novel, we learn a lot about Dimmesdale's character. For instance, we see his weakness. He can never seem to get out how he's really feeling. In a moment of weakness, Dimmesdale sees all of the community judging him. Hawthorne writes, "It is the unspeakable misery of a life so false as his, that it steals the pith and substance out of whatever realities there are around us, and which were meant by Heaven to be the spirit's joy and nutriment" (133). Dimmesdale knows that his life seems to be a joke. He understands the consequences of his previous actions, and he can also predict the severe judgement that goes with it. He knows exactly what direction he is heading in, but he does nothing to stop it. He is too scared to try and fix the problem he has created for himself. Obviously, due to his physical ailment, we know that he is weak in the physical sense. However, through his actions involving the truth about his crime, we see that he is also weak when it comes to personality and mentality. 

In this portion of the novel, we also see some symbolism connected with Dimmesdale. One major symbolic object is Dimmesdale's glove. Somehow, Chillingworth stumbled across a glove, and Dimmesdale recognized it to be his. According to Chillingworth, "'A pure hand needs no glove to cover it!'" (143). The only one that needs a glove is the Devil because of all of his impurities. This illustrates how Dimmesdale's character is representative of the Devil. This also provides more clues as to what role Dimmesdale plays in Hester and Pearl's life. Although he hasn't just come out and admitted it yet, it is clear that Dimmesdale has committed some horrible crime that he will forever punish himself for. Once we hit chapter fourteen, the gloves come off and the truth comes out. 

This is the part where I get to say I told you so. There is no doubt that Dimmesdale is Pearl's father. Although he still cannot muster the courage to admit this to the community, he has an encounter with Hester, and they delve into their feelings a little bit. Readers really do learn that Foster was right when he said that an illness is more than just being sick. For Dimmesdale, his illness is representative of the poor mark on his reputation because of his sins. Chillingworth highlights this illness when he comes around. It is obvious that both Dimmesdale and Chillingworth suspect something about each other. When Hester finally tells Dimmesdale that Chillingworth was her husband, Dimmesdale said, "'I did know it!'" (175). Clearly, this illness is more than just some chest pains. This is the pang of guilt Dimmesdale constantly faces, as well as the struggle to continue on with life.

One of the biggest giveaways that Dimmesdale is Pearl's father is when Hester says, "Your sin is left behind you, in the days long past" (173). No other character has really hinted at the possibility that Dimmesdale is Pearl's father; however, when Hester makes this comment, it becomes clear that she knows something about Dimmesdale that no one else does. And what does she know? She knows that Dimmesdale is Pearl's father. They still have not come right out and said it, but I'll be extremely surprised if I really am wrong. There is no other logical explanation for all of the things happening, so I'm going to continue to think my idea is the right answer; that this was my aha! moment, and I really understood it. 

Now it's time to finish the rest of this novel. It's been great so far, and I'm excited to finish out this journey with Hester, Dimmesdale, Pearl, Chillingworth, that dog over there, the person making the coffee, and the editor of that one magazine. Needless to say, I'm intrigued and ready to see where these characters are headed.

The Scarlet Letter, Post One: Holy Irony, Batman.

When I first chose to read the Scarlet Letter, I knew it was rich with literary elements. Nathaniel Hawthorne develops themes that teach readers valuable lessons, some of which are applicable to their own lives. He also includes symbols and ironic occurrences that carry meaning throughout the entire novel, or at least the first nine chapters that I have read. One of the biggest ironic instances is the scarlet letter itself. The letter is "in fine red cloth, surrounded with an elaborate embroidery and fantastic flourishes of gold thread" (Hawthorne 50). Hester Prynne, a master with a needle, sewed this beautiful, vivid scarlet A which she is forced to wear on her clothes for the rest of her existence; however, how embarrassing is it to wear something beautiful? Yes, the meaning behind the letter is horrid and uncomfortable. It draws attention to Hester throughout each chapter of the novel so far, and enforces constant judgement in a negative way. The meaning of the letter contrasts with the appearance of the letter, ultimately making the letter itself ironic.

Also ironic is the appearance of characters Roger Chillingworth and Mr. Dimmesdale. I believe that both of them have some connection to Hester and Pearl. In the fourth chapter, readers learn that Roger Chillingworth is actually Hester's mysterious husband that everyone knows about, but no one has ever seen. Although he does not fully blame Hester for leaving him because of his "unnatural decay" (whatever that means), he does ask that Hester "Breathe not, to any human soul, that thou didst ever call me husband" (71). Roger is embarrassed by his marriage to Hester, but that's not really the ironic idea. Mr. Dimmesdale is part of the clergy, and he seems to be a mediator between Hester and whoever she argues with at the time. Dimmesdale may be a younger member of the clergy, but there must be a more logical reason for him always sticking up for Hester and Pearl. He refused to punish her when she was first presented in front of the community after giving birth, and he helped protest against Governor Billingham when he tried to take Pearl away from Hester. Both of these instances show a deeper connection between Hester, Pearl and Dimmesdale, than a simple excuse of Dimmesdale being "young and foolish." Still, this is not necessarily the ironic part.

What really is ironic is the connection between Dimmesdale and Chillingworth at the the end of the ninth chapter. While Chillingworth has a definite connection to Hester, Dimmesdale only has one based on speculation. Is it possible that Dimmesdale is the father of Pearl? Hawthorne constantly mentions how Dimmesdale seems to stray from the traditional religious practice. Sometimes Dimmesdale doesn't even want to partake in it, and he enjoys "the relief of looking at the universe through the medium of another kind of intellect than those with which he habitually held converse" (112). Also, members of the community develop the notion that Dimmesdale and Chillingworth may have a relationship deeper than doctor-patient, if you get what I'm saying. Already, Hawthorne hints at Dimmesdale's tendency to not follow the rules. It wouldn't be surprising if he turned out to be Pearl's father. Also, this would increase the ironic factor in the novel. The man who was married to and left by Hester, has befriended the man who may or may not have impregnated Hester. If that's not ironic, I don't know what is. Again, this is all an assumption, but it really wouldn't surprise me if it were true.

So far, this novel is more than I expected it to be. It has taken a bit to pick up, but even the "boring" parts spark some interest in me. There are so many other lessons taught in the first nine chapters, but irony seems to be one of the major aspects of the novel so far, and definitely one worth discussing. I'm super excited to continue with the novel and get all of my strange, but important, questions answered.

[shy-ann]

Cheyenne [shy-ann]

Daughter of Robert and Renee, granddaughter of Anna, Stanley, Lorraine, and Charles, sister of none. The baby of the family. Owner of Minnie Mouse, the dog, and an infinite number of shoes. Best friend of Amaranta and Terry, partner in crime of Vanessa. A wishful thinker who hopes for the best in everything. Practices a religion based on God and coffee. Lover of the color yellow, sandy beaches, and warm nights. A daughter who constantly tries to please her parents, even when she gets flustered with failed attempts. A granddaughter, niece, and cousin who impresses her family with her accomplishments. A student who works her hardest, and aims for success and high goals.  A tennis player who strives to do her best on and off the court. A healthy eater who still succumbs to that chocolate cupcake too often. She's ready to head off to college, but leery of what lies ahead. Most importantly, she's a girl who is defining herself in new ways everyday.