1. The logic is that they won't take things they don't need anyway. It makes them feel better about taking things. They didn't like crab apples and the prisims weren't even ripe yet.
2. He wants to be adventuorous like Tom Sawyer.
3. It's ironic because Sir Walter Scott is a romantic novelist about adventures and outstanding escapes. Huck Finn's escape from the boat wasn't anywhere near fantastic, they barely made it. Mark Twain is making fun of romantic novelties again.
4. Huck says that one day he might be a murderer, he's trying to see things from their point of view. He's trying to see what it'd be like to be stuck on a boat like they were.
5. The satire is the fact that he uses the greed of the steam boat captain to lure him into helping rescue the three murderers.
6. Jim feels like he's in trouble no matter what, he can either drown or if he gets saved he'll be sent back to the plantation and probably be sold south.
7. It's a romantic notion of Kings. He basically states that they don't do anything and sit around with their bunches of wives in their harem.
8. Jim had only heard of King Solomon, whom he considers a fool for wanting to chop a baby in half. He connects this argument wth the last argument so he's getting negative ideas about royalty or kings. He doens't understand why anyone would want to live like that because it doesn't make any sense. Kings are wasteful.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Discussion Questions: V-XI
1. Pap isn't being a good dad. He should be encouraging his son to get an education and have good religious beliefs instead of threatening him for trying to have these things. Pap is too selfish to realize that these are good things because he can't look past the idea of his son being better than him. It's ironic because Pap should try to have these things himself, and the fact he's telling the opposite of what his son should be doing.
2. Society wants to keep their family together and since it's still an option that's what they choose. They choose the easiest thing to do, and that's not what a good society does.
3. Even though he is beaten by his father he is still free from the other rules of society because his father is too drunk to set any or even care. He prefers living with his father with no rules than in a house where this is restrictions. Theme: Freedom.
4. Pap doesn't believe in freedom for slaves or colored people which makes him extremely racist. Him commenting on the government can't be taken too seriously. His views of what are really going on in his society or the world are very different from other peoples. He's upset with the government because he doesn't like to follow the rules they set even though better people have no problem with doing so.
5. Freedom. Both Huck and his father have different ideas of what their freedom is. Pop thinks Huck is his, when Huck thinks he's under Ms. Watson.
6. It wouldn't have been successful. He's all ideas no actions. If Tom was there he probably would have gotten Jim caught.
7. The bread is a biblical reference (last supper..Huck is ignorant of it). The bread is supposed to find the 'dead' body of Huck. The idea is that maybe prayer works for someone, but not him.
8. Jim thought Huck was a ghost. Huck doesn't want to tell Jim his story because he's too scared that he'll go home and tell Ms. Watson that he's still alive now that he's 'free'.
9. They're both reborn, they're both free. Huck is helping Jim run away, and that's something he can be more than punished for.
10. In his society being an abolitionist is something you didn't want to be called. Being against slavery is going against their society.
11. It goes back to his personal experiences which gives him personal knowledge. He also learns from Jim and others around him.
12. The snake is just skin, and it's typical of Huck because he's a trickster. He doesn't see it from the other persons perspective; Jim was scared, he's superstitious.
13. All he wants is to be free, and he doesn't mind sending people that love him on a wild goose chase to find his unknowingly fake decaying carcass.
14. Common trait is over exaggeration; she over exaggerates how much money there is.
15. People think that Pa killed Huck, and the satire shows that a run away slave is worse than a murder. Pa; $200. Jim; $300.
2. Society wants to keep their family together and since it's still an option that's what they choose. They choose the easiest thing to do, and that's not what a good society does.
3. Even though he is beaten by his father he is still free from the other rules of society because his father is too drunk to set any or even care. He prefers living with his father with no rules than in a house where this is restrictions. Theme: Freedom.
4. Pap doesn't believe in freedom for slaves or colored people which makes him extremely racist. Him commenting on the government can't be taken too seriously. His views of what are really going on in his society or the world are very different from other peoples. He's upset with the government because he doesn't like to follow the rules they set even though better people have no problem with doing so.
5. Freedom. Both Huck and his father have different ideas of what their freedom is. Pop thinks Huck is his, when Huck thinks he's under Ms. Watson.
6. It wouldn't have been successful. He's all ideas no actions. If Tom was there he probably would have gotten Jim caught.
7. The bread is a biblical reference (last supper..Huck is ignorant of it). The bread is supposed to find the 'dead' body of Huck. The idea is that maybe prayer works for someone, but not him.
8. Jim thought Huck was a ghost. Huck doesn't want to tell Jim his story because he's too scared that he'll go home and tell Ms. Watson that he's still alive now that he's 'free'.
9. They're both reborn, they're both free. Huck is helping Jim run away, and that's something he can be more than punished for.
10. In his society being an abolitionist is something you didn't want to be called. Being against slavery is going against their society.
11. It goes back to his personal experiences which gives him personal knowledge. He also learns from Jim and others around him.
12. The snake is just skin, and it's typical of Huck because he's a trickster. He doesn't see it from the other persons perspective; Jim was scared, he's superstitious.
13. All he wants is to be free, and he doesn't mind sending people that love him on a wild goose chase to find his unknowingly fake decaying carcass.
14. Common trait is over exaggeration; she over exaggerates how much money there is.
15. People think that Pa killed Huck, and the satire shows that a run away slave is worse than a murder. Pa; $200. Jim; $300.
Discussion Questions: IV
1. Widow Douglas' life is very proper where Finn learns to eat off a plate, wear nice clothes, and go to school. She's kind and wouldn't go as far as even hurt someone's feelings. Ms. Douglas is religious and educated Finn about Moses who she continued to point out that he was dead. Once Huckleberry found out that Moses wasn't alive and hadn't been for quite some time, he stopped caring, 'I take no stock in dead people'. This could mean that Finn only believes in what he can see, and his faith could be lacking. The fact he was more interested in learning about Moses before he knew he had already died just proves Finn's judgmental.
2. Superstition is the belief in the supernatural. Finn accidently killed a spider so his reaction was turning around three times in his tracks while crossing his breast every time, and then tied a lock of hair with thread to keep the witches away. He thought his mistake was not only a bad sign, but could also cause terrible things to happen. Another time, he spilled salt during breakfast, and when he was going to pick some up to throw it over his shoulder, Miss Watson told him to stop because he was making a mess. He said the widow put in a good word for him, but it still wouldn't keep off the bad luck. This continues to happen through the chapters.
3. Finn's view of death is his idea of freedom almost, or somewhere where they is change. He seems to think that you have to put in a lot of effort to get to the 'good place' so instead decides to not try. Bringing up death in the first chapter gives the book a set up to Finn's emotions and somewhat of how he thinks of life. He's lonesome, and is living the life he doesn't want to. It sets tone.
4. Jim thought witches took over his body and rode him all over the state. He seemed to be proud of this because every time he told the story he seemed to over-exaggerate it. Jim decided that the witches hung his hat on a limb to show who had done it.
5. He was considered ruined because he was too hung up on his story of being rode by witches and seeing the devil. People would give him 'anything' to see the 5-center piece, people were really helping him now.
6. Finn is ignorant where Tom is not. 'The nature and significance of the following human traits' and being an 'outsider' can both be themes in this circumstance. Tom is an outsider, and knows what it's like to have nothing so understands more when taking something that he at least needs to pay for it. Finn wouldn't have left the money, and instead would have just taken the candles and gone on his way.
7. Tom and Huck can both be considered adventurous outsiders, but Huck actually has some guidance to where he can make the choice to have stability in his life.
8. Tom feels like he's doing something more than just being a burglar. He's stopping carriages instead of taking things off of people's land or home or stealing things off of people's carriages as they drive by.
9. He doesn't believe prayers come true even though Miss Watson told him God would answer his prayers no matter what. He doesn't like the idea of praying for other people because he doesn't think it will help him in any way.
10. Because Huck thought that the club would be committing real crimes not playing a game. Huck doesn't realize that it was fake to begin with.
11. It's the difference between Tom's and Huck's imagination. Huck had none and Tom had apparently way more than he needed. It's ironic because children usually have great imaginations to where adults or older people lack it.
12. He thought that Judge Thatcher would keep it safe. He didn't want his dad or anyone else to get ahold of it.
2. Superstition is the belief in the supernatural. Finn accidently killed a spider so his reaction was turning around three times in his tracks while crossing his breast every time, and then tied a lock of hair with thread to keep the witches away. He thought his mistake was not only a bad sign, but could also cause terrible things to happen. Another time, he spilled salt during breakfast, and when he was going to pick some up to throw it over his shoulder, Miss Watson told him to stop because he was making a mess. He said the widow put in a good word for him, but it still wouldn't keep off the bad luck. This continues to happen through the chapters.
3. Finn's view of death is his idea of freedom almost, or somewhere where they is change. He seems to think that you have to put in a lot of effort to get to the 'good place' so instead decides to not try. Bringing up death in the first chapter gives the book a set up to Finn's emotions and somewhat of how he thinks of life. He's lonesome, and is living the life he doesn't want to. It sets tone.
4. Jim thought witches took over his body and rode him all over the state. He seemed to be proud of this because every time he told the story he seemed to over-exaggerate it. Jim decided that the witches hung his hat on a limb to show who had done it.
5. He was considered ruined because he was too hung up on his story of being rode by witches and seeing the devil. People would give him 'anything' to see the 5-center piece, people were really helping him now.
6. Finn is ignorant where Tom is not. 'The nature and significance of the following human traits' and being an 'outsider' can both be themes in this circumstance. Tom is an outsider, and knows what it's like to have nothing so understands more when taking something that he at least needs to pay for it. Finn wouldn't have left the money, and instead would have just taken the candles and gone on his way.
7. Tom and Huck can both be considered adventurous outsiders, but Huck actually has some guidance to where he can make the choice to have stability in his life.
8. Tom feels like he's doing something more than just being a burglar. He's stopping carriages instead of taking things off of people's land or home or stealing things off of people's carriages as they drive by.
9. He doesn't believe prayers come true even though Miss Watson told him God would answer his prayers no matter what. He doesn't like the idea of praying for other people because he doesn't think it will help him in any way.
10. Because Huck thought that the club would be committing real crimes not playing a game. Huck doesn't realize that it was fake to begin with.
11. It's the difference between Tom's and Huck's imagination. Huck had none and Tom had apparently way more than he needed. It's ironic because children usually have great imaginations to where adults or older people lack it.
12. He thought that Judge Thatcher would keep it safe. He didn't want his dad or anyone else to get ahold of it.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Words of the Day 11/4&8/10
Esoteric: adj: His esoteric speech about his accomplishments made the people sitting in room feel special.
Vitiated: verb: Talking to Anna vitiates my critical thinking during class.
Magnate: noun: Ten years from now, I will be a magnate.
Malleable: adjective: The mettle was malleable, and the men transformed it into pipes.
Vitiated: verb: Talking to Anna vitiates my critical thinking during class.
Magnate: noun: Ten years from now, I will be a magnate.
Malleable: adjective: The mettle was malleable, and the men transformed it into pipes.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Scarlet Letter Pg. 227
Entry 57:
"Here had been her sin; here, her sorrow; and here was yet to be her penitence. She had returned, therefore, and resumed,—of her own free will, for not the sternest magistrate of that iron period would have imposed it,—resumed the symbol of which we have related so dark a tale. Never afterwards did it quit her bosom."
In England before, Hester lead more than a normal life; it was complicated, there were secrets hidden, she was an outcast to society, had a child out of adultery with a reverend, and almost made a family. She went back to that place, of memories, and resumed her life as an outsider and a sinner who continued to wear the scarlet A. The A not only represented the relationship between the sin and Pearl, but also linked them all together as a family. It reminded her of Dimmesdale, and without him, she continued to wear it, and it still linked them all together.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 218-219
Entry 56:
"The child, with the bird-like motion which was one of her characteristics, flew to him, and clasped her arms about his knees."
"At this instant old Roger Chillingworth thrust himself through the crowd,—or, perhaps, so dark, disturbed, and evil was his look, he rose up out of some nether region."
"Do not blacken your fame, and perish in dishonor!"
“Thy power is not what it was! With God’s help, I shall escape thee now!”
This is the differences between the levels of earth. Dimmesdale, being the holy one, asks for God's help and strength to finally tell his people of his sin. Chillingsworth, the devil, tries to persuade him into not saying anything so he doesn't ruin his fame and die dishonored. It's a deceptive coax. Pearl, being continuously compared back to an angel, who 'flies' to his side, is what is helping Dimmesdale be honest.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 207
Entry 55:
"Yet, if the clergyman were rightly viewed, his strength seemed not of the body. It might be spiritual, and imparted to him by angelic ministrations. It might be the exhilaration of that potent cordial, which is distilled only in the furnace-glow of earnest and long-continued thought. Or, perchance, his sensitive temperament was invigorated by the loud and piercing music, that swelled heavenward, and uplifted him on its ascending wave."
It's the contradistinction between Dimmesdale and Chillingworth. Chillingworth, being strong enough to take over someone's hurt soul doesn't have much spiritual strength. Spiritual of magic, alchemy, and devilish deeds, maybe. Dimmesdale, being 'angelic' is the opposite of what Chillingsworth is. Everything that the society knows about Dimmesdale makes him shine, and he posses sensitivity that Chillingsworth doesn't. The music lifted him heavenward, instead of when he yelled, he only provoked the devil... Chillingsworth.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 199
Entry 54:
“What a strange, sad man is he!” said the child, as if speaking partly to herself. “In the dark night-time, he calls us to him, and holds thy hand and mine, as when we stood with him on the scaffold yonder! And in the deep forest, where only the old trees can hear, and the strip of sky see it, he talks with thee, sitting on a heap of moss! And he kisses my forehead, too, so that the little brook would hardly wash it off! But here in the sunny day, and among all the people, he knows us not; nor must we know him! A strange, sad man is he, with his hand always over his heart!”
Pearl notices that Dimmesdale can only be honest and show their secret alone in the dark, but when in the light with other people he cowards out. He stood on the scaffold with them in the middle of the night, and talked with them in the forest, but can't seem to be man enough to be honest and rid his real pain off his back. He can't even do so much to acknowledge them when in town. Pearl feels sorry for him that he has all this pain, and has the ability to get rid of it, but decides to hide it, with his hand over his heart.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 197
Entry 53:
"-or rather, like the frozen calm of a dead woman’s face. The similarity stemmed from the fact that, as far as the town was concerned, Hester was as good as dead. She had left the world in which she still seemed to walk."
Hester was so wrapped up in Pearl and the secret that kept Dimmesdale part of the society that she wasn't really all there. She was dead to the townspeople, she had sinned, and nothing can completely fix that. She has too much stuff on her mind having to do with finally being upfront about who Pearl's father is, and what their plans are for leaving the town.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 190
Entry 52:
"At every step he was incited to do some strange, wild, wicked thing or other, with a sense that it would be at once involuntary and intentional; in spite of himself, yet growing out of a profounder self than that which opposed the impulse."
He was in the forest so long that 'natural' impulses started wanting to take over his actions. Pearl, the wild one, was also there. He left the forest different, "I left him yonder in the forest, withdrawn into a secret dull.(pg.189)" By starting to feel free, he felt more capable of being able to express himself. "The minister’s own will, and Hester’s will, and the fate that grew between them, had wrought this transformation." Not to mention that he was probably love drunk off of both Hester and Pearl's presence.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 187
Entry 51:
"But there was Hester, clad in her gray robe, still standing beside the tree-trunk, which some blast had overthrown a long antiquity ago, and which time had ever since been covering with moss, so that these two fated ones, with earth’s heaviest burden on them, might there sit down together, and find a single hour’s rest and solace."
Hester, still in her 'gray' robe, is still hiding the secret of Dimmesdale. A blast or a storm had brought the trunk down long before, like their sin had divided them. The tree trunk covered in moss, covers the tree like Hester and Dimmesdale are hiding their secret in town. They sit on the tree trunk as if they are putting of having to tell the truth. They're not going to have true solace until they're honest.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 185
Entry 50:
"Will he go back with us, hand in hand, we three together, into the town?"
Pearl wants everything unknown to the society be brought out into the 'public light'. However, if this happens it would probably ruin the relationship between her mother and Dimmesdale (Is this what she wants?.. She obviously doesn't want to be replaced). If they were to run away, they wouldn't be confronting their sin, and it would be like not acknowledging Pearl.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 183
Entry 49
“Children will not abide any, the slightest, change in the accustomed aspect of things that are daily before their eyes. Pearl misses something which she has always seen me wear!”
Pearl had seen her mother wear the A forever, and yet she still doesn't understand the meaning because her mother never took the time to explain it to her. Hester always knew that Pearl was more brilliant than others her age, but didn't think Pearl could understand the reasons behind why she wore it. To Pearl, it was just part of her wardrobe, it was how she knew her mother stood out from the others, and how she knew herself was different. It's scary to Pearl because she took the A off when Dimmesdale came around, and Hester took off what her daughter had always known. She doesn't want to be replaced. It isn't as scary for Pearl to miss something that she had always seen her mother wear, than to what would be lost if Hester took it off and have Pearl disappear.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 182
Entry 48
"Now she fixed her bright, wild eyes on her mother, now on the minister, and now included them both in the same glance; as if to detect and explain to herself the relation which they bore to one another."..."Pearl stretched out her hand, with the small forefinger extended, and pointing evidently towards her mother’s breast. "
Pearl didn't want to cross the brook because her mother had taken off the A, and to Pearl, Hester wasn't her mother without it. When her mother took off the A, it was like getting rid of their sin, and what bonded them both together was Pearl who symbolizes their sin. Once the A is gone, Dimmesdale is happy, but Hester and him both connect. It was like throwing Pearl away, and so she started to feel discluded.
She's the elf that can't cross the water, and if her mother is without the 'A' she'd much rather stay with 'mother nature' who will except her.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 181
Entry 47
"But as I’ve already told you, children don’t often like me. They will not sit in my lap, nor whisper in my ear, nor answer my smile. They stand far off and look at me strangely. Even little babies weep bitterly when I hold them. Yet Pearl, twice already, has been kind to me!"
Children are innocent and pure, and can sense his corruption and his secret. The minors of the town are all influenced from their parent's aspects of Hester's situation or sin. They have a better capability of picking up on unusual things in life at a young age because they don't have as many responsibilities as their parents. Pearl, however, already knows of Dimmesdale's hidden sin, so she is able to be kind to him.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 180
Entry 46:
"They sat together, feeling something they had not felt before, and watched Pearl walk toward them slowly. She made visible the tie that bound them. For the past seven years, she had been offered to the world as a mysterious symbol, a clue to the secret that they sought to hide."
They had the first feeling of family, and watching Peal walk towards the both of them was a dream come true. The tie that Pearl is, their sin, what linked them together, was the reason that they were together now. Her symbol was evident to them, but to the rest of the society it was still mysterious because no one knew who her father was. Hester was obviously already a sinner, but Pearl was the town's clue to her and Dimmesdale's secret. They continued to compare her features to their own, and Pearl was definitely her father's child.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 178
Entry 45:
"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.
The black forest was unfriendly towards the people who caused trouble and problems to the world, which is quite ironic because the 'black' forest is known for causing despair. Maybe, because Pearl plays in the forest and she is a symbol of 'free' nature, she releases the blackness from the forest, and the forest dislikes those who bring back difficulties.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Scarlet Letter Pg. 174
Entry 44:
"Had never gone through an experience calculated to lead him beyond the scope of generally received laws; although, in a single instance, he had so fearfully transgressed one of the most sacred of them. But this had been a sin of passion, not of principle, nor even purpose."
Hester had been outlawed from society for so long that she had become used to freedom of thought. She had wandered through the wilderness, without rule or guidance which was as complex as the untamed forest. Dimmesdale however had never experienced anything to lead him beyond the extent of social boundaries. Though, the one time he did, it was with Hester. This sin wasn't an intentional choice, and was out of passion. By that one sin he lived scared of ever committing another one, and with that, wasn't actually living at all.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 169
Entry 43:
"Dost thou not see what I would say? That old man!-the physician!-he whom they call Roger Chillingworth!-he was my husband!"
She wanted to continue to be honest with herself and Dimmesdale. She had held onto that one secret for so long, but wanted Dimmesdale to be a part of her family. Starting something through a lie will lead no where and so she has to be honest with him. She's able to break Chillingworth's promise in order to achieve that. This only gives builds her strength to be used later for telling everyone about Dimmesdale and Chillingsworth.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 167
Entry 42:
"You wrong yourself in this. You have deeply and sorely repented. Your sin is left behind you, in the days long past. Your present life is not less holy, in very truth, than it seems in people’s eyes. Is there no reality in the penitence thus sealed and witnessed by good works? And wherefore should it not bring you peace?”
"Happy are you, Hester, that wear the scarlet letter openly upon your bosom! Mine burns in secret!"
He's trying to tell Hester that compared to her, he has not nearly suffered enough. However, Hester tries to comfort him because she knows how much he pain he endures because of their sin. People see Dimmesdale with a religious purpose, and since he is a reverend helping people, it's considered a good deed, and so that should help bring him peace. He rebuttals by saying that he has had penance, but no repentance like she has. Also, her scarlet letter is open for everyone to see, while he hides his in secret.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 160
Entry 41:
"Her mother could have fancied that the child had absorbed it into herself, and would give it forth again, with a gleam about her path, as they should plunge into some gloomier shade."
It was almost as if Pearl had taken away the sunshine, and instead absorbed it like a flower growing. The sun to Pearl is like wild energy, and refers back to Pearl being a symbol of nature. Flowers are colorful, and like Pearl's personality she has many different attitudes which gives her a 'colorful personality.'
Scarlet Letter Pg. 160
Entry 40:
"I am but a child. It will not flee from me; for I wear nothing on my bosom yet."
What is Pearl hinting at? She is already a symbol of sin, but has not sinned herself yet. Is she going to commit some ungodly act which causes her to wear a token of shame for the rest of her life? This could be a foreshadow.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 160
Entry 39:
"The sunshine does not love you. It runs away and hides itself, because it is afraid of something on your bosom."
Sunshine is like cheerfulness and happiness, but when someone sees the scarlet letter they're thoughts have more to do with sin or shame. If 'sunshine' runs away from Hester it's because it's scared it will be influenced by her. It also goes back to heaven and God who doesn't agree with sin, so instead stays away from those who have.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 155
Entry 38:
"Thus assume the aspect of a little mermaid. She inherited her mother's gift for devising drapery and costume. As the last touch to her mermaid's garb, Pearl took some eel-grass, and imitated, as best she could, on her own bosom, the decoration with which she was so familiar on her mother's. A letter,- the letter A,- but freshly green, instead of scarlet."
Being a mermaid goes back to freedom. Hester and everyone else have rules to live by, but being a mermaid is like being bird where they're able to do what they please. Pearl made herself a scarf, and a headdress as a costume, and considered that to be a talent like her mothers. The green letter A can symbolize young or unripe as for her still being too young to know what it truly symbolizes. It also has to do with nature itself.
Pearl hoped that her mother would ask what it meant, but instead Hester told her that it really had no purpose being on her bosom, and asked if she really understood the meaning. Pearl, being a child, insisted that she knew, when really she just wanted to be told the actual meaning after making a connection to Dimmesdale’s frequent habit of clutching his hand over his heart.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 154
Entry 37:
"She marveled how she could ever have been wrought upon to marry him! She deemed it her crime most to be repented of, that she had ever endured, and reciprocated, the lukewarm grasp of his hand, and had suffered the smile of her lips and eyes to mingle and melt into his own."
This arrises the question of what the real sin is throughout the book; the sin of being an adulterer or the sin of marrying someone you don't love?
Hester married quite an older man than herself because 'he had persuaded her to fancy herself by his side'. Loving him was all an allusion. He let her leave for two years, and then she had a child with Dimmesdale. Even though she's not married to Dimmesdale, it doesn't mean she doesn't love him or Pearl (who she loves without a doubt). The only way to really understand which is more of a sin is to compare which she loved more, and who she would be willing to sacrifice more for. Hester gave up everything for Pearl, and helped keep Dimmesdale, being the father, a secret. I think Hawthorne's tone is insisting that marrying without love is Hester's biggest sin. Maybe because of it, Chillingworth isn't avenging her with Pearl, but instead is making Dimmesdale's life a lot more miserable. He's sacrificing her family that could be.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 147
Entry 36:
"Forth, peeped at her, out of the pool, with dark, glistening curls around her head, and an elf-smile in her eyes, the imagine of a little maid, whom Pearl, having no other playmate, invited to take her hand and run and race with her."
Pearl again, is part of nature, where she believes nature is pleasant and good. She's compared back to being an elf with dark shiny curls. She's outside the town's rules, and can dance, run, and play unlike any child in the society. She can't have someone to play with in these circumstances so instead, she believes she sees someone else in the water, when it is just herself. Her mother, regardless of what people may think of her now are still under the constraints of laws. Pearl is more asking nature to play with her since that is already free and wild.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 147
Entry 35:
"The child flew away like a bird"
This is a continues motif throughout the book between Pearl and birds, or Peal and elves which all have to do with nature. Being part of nature considers someone to be wild, and against the town's beliefs and expectations of no one being independent. Her parents are what broke the law, but she's outside of it, and the 'prison' of the town itself. She doesn't have to live like everyone else under the constraints of the society. She's free, like a bird.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 142
Entry 34:
"The scarlet letter had the effect of the cross on a nun's bosom."
The scarlet letter keeping her safe is one idea that could be possible. In this instance, the cross could symbolize redemption. People that believe that Christ died on the cross to wash away the sins of mankind, are redeemed in the eyes of God and will go to Heaven. The same idea goes for Hester by wearing the scarlet letter, and having Pearl to show her sin. Eventually her sins start dwindling away, and the A stands for something more than just an 'adulterer'.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 141
Entry 33:
"The letter was the symbol of her calling. Such helpfullness was found in her,-so much power to do, and power to sympathize,-that many people refused to interpret the scarlet letter A by its original signification. They said that it meant Able; so strong that Hester Prynne, with a woman's strength."
Able means having the power, skill, means, or opportunity to do something. Able is Hester's inner strength that helped her get through the past seven years with the shame of sin, and the judgement of the town and society that she lives in. People look up to her now, and respect her because she helps the town and the poor people even when sometimes, in return, they don't give the same back. It's noted that 'Her breast, with its badge of shame, was but the softer pillow for the head that needed one." She was understanding when people were troubled which people started admiring her for. It was no longer a sign of an 'adulterer' but someone who is 'able', it's a token of her many good deeds since.
Scarlet Letter Pg 135
Entry 32:
"A light gleamed far and wide over the muffled sky."
At first, when it was only Dimmesdale, 'clouds muffled the whole expanse of sky from zenith to horizon'(pg129), but after Hester and Pearl had taken their place back on the scaffold, and Dimmesdale decided when to show the world their secret the sky lit up.
"And there stood the minister, with his hand over his heart; and Hester Prynne, with the embroidered letter glimmering on her bosom and little Pearl, herself as a symbol, and the connecting link between the two...is if it were the light that is to reveal all secrets, and the daybreak that shall unite all who belong to one another."
Both Dimmesdale and Hester have A's that represent their shame. Pearl is the link between their shame, and who is the symbol of it. The light shows truth and for the first time, them as a family are shown together in it even though no one else is there to see it.
Scarlet Letter Pg 130
Entry 31:
"It is done! The whole town will awake, and hurry forth, and find me here!"
Dimmesdale shrieks in the middle of the night on the scaffold where he once saw Hester Prynne live through her hours of public ignominy. His remorse had driven him there, but what good does that do if it's when everyone in the town is sleeping? It makes him look like even more of a coward, and he continues to depend on the dark to hide his sins. He can't seem to make up his mind to wether he wants to come clean or continue hiding.
"The drowsy slumberers mistook the cry either for something frightful in a dream, or for the noise of witches."
It's ironic because maybe it wasn't a dream for them, but it was definitely a nightmare for Dimmesdale. Him screaming was music for the devil, and if people thought it was a noise of a witch, then it all is compared back to one another.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 127
Entry 30:
"Sometimes, viewing his own face in a looking-glass, by the most powerful light which he could throw upon it. He thus typified the constant introspection wherewith he torture, but could not purify, himself"
The mirror can symbolize someone's physical and spiritual reflection. His introspection is his contemplation of his thoughts, feelings, and sensations. He's going through self-examination in the light to see if there's anything left that's pure. The torture is that even the most 'powerful' light can't purify him. It's saying that the only way to make himself better is to be honest, and it starts with himself.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 125
Entry 29:
"It was inconceivable...it was his genuine impulse to adore the truth, and to reckon all things shadow-like...that had not its divine essence as the life within their life...Then what was he?-a substance?-or the dimmest of all shadows?... He longed to speak out, from his own pulpit, at the full height of his voice, and tell the people what he was...turn my pale face heavenward..I who have laid the hand of baptism upon your children..I who have breathed the parting prayer over your dying friends, to whom the Amen sounded faintly from a world which they had quitted..I your pastor, whom you so reverence and trust, am utterly a pollution and a lie!"
Dimmesdale wants and needs to be honest in order to survive, but he's not only afraid to lose his job and the respect of all the people in his society, but he doesn't want to cause Hester or Pearl any more pain. For not being honest earlier, he's embarrassed for hiding his secret for this long, and looks like a coward. He helped everyone in town, and they all listened to his sermons and took what he said into perspective. He's basically a fraud to the town, and is a hypocrite when saying that 'it was his genuine impulse to adore the truth, and to reckon all things shadow-like.' Shadows go back to the ability to hide the truth, and cover his lie. The shadows have sucked the life from him, and is now pale, but if he turns his face towards heaven, he will have to tell the truth and light will be shown upon him.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 121
Entry 28:
"But what distinguished the physician's ecstasy from Satan's was the trait of wonder in it!"
Chillingsworth and Satan or the 'Black Man' are compared through this entire book. Their main common ground is where they can take over someone's soul and mind. Satan knows when he wins someone's soul, and Chillsworth has a hint of wonder that engages him to torment someone's spirit. He knows something's up with Dimmesdale, and that's why he goes on with the gesturing to the black weeds, and the fact people should just be honest because it will save them in the long run. He can tell the that Dimmesdale is hurting, and he doesn't understand why he's doing that to himself. Chillingsworth stands by and tries to help Dimmesdale survive so he can watch his sins destroy him.
Scarlet Letter Pg. 118
Entry 27:
"So she drew her mother away, skipping, dancing, and frisking fantastically among the hillocks of the dead people, like a creature that had nothing in common with a bygone and buried generation, nor owned herself akin to it."
Pearl not only earlier called Chillingsworth a "Black Man," but also told her mother that he could catch her and she needed to get away. The fact that it says that she has nothing in common with the dead people buried in the graveyard is quite wrong. The burial ground was an escape from the society that people lived in. Pearl had already escaped because of her mother's sin. She danced, and skipped throughout the graveyard because it showed freedom that she has, as to what the dead people have now. She dances for them because they didn't have the opportunity to show their freedom from the town.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Scarlet Letter pg. 114
Entry 26:
"They are new to me. I found them growing on a grave, which bore no tombstone, nor other memorial of the dead man, save these ugly weeds that have taken upon themselves to keep him in remembrance. They grew out of his heart, and typify, it may be, some hideous secret that was buried with him, and which he had done better to confess during his lifetime."
The black weeds growing from the grave are compared to Dimmesdale's hidden sin, and like his hurting heart, the weeds are the affects of sin. The dark hides wrongdoings, and sometimes when your hide a sin it hides who you actually are, which could be the cause of a missing tombstone. No one wants to remember a man that was dishonest to himself and everyone else. It's a foreshadow to that an unspoken sin killed the unknown man, so it could kill the unrevealed father. It would be better for him to be honest.
"They are new to me. I found them growing on a grave, which bore no tombstone, nor other memorial of the dead man, save these ugly weeds that have taken upon themselves to keep him in remembrance. They grew out of his heart, and typify, it may be, some hideous secret that was buried with him, and which he had done better to confess during his lifetime."
The black weeds growing from the grave are compared to Dimmesdale's hidden sin, and like his hurting heart, the weeds are the affects of sin. The dark hides wrongdoings, and sometimes when your hide a sin it hides who you actually are, which could be the cause of a missing tombstone. No one wants to remember a man that was dishonest to himself and everyone else. It's a foreshadow to that an unspoken sin killed the unknown man, so it could kill the unrevealed father. It would be better for him to be honest.
Scarlet Letter pg. 113
Entry 25:
"Sometimes, a light glimmered out of the physician's eyes, burning blue and ominous, like the reflection of a furnace, or, let us say, like one of those gleams of ghastly fire that darted from Bunyan's awful door-way in the hill-side, and quivered on the pilgrim's face."
The comparison between light and fire is what makes this sentence quite complicated. Light is like heaven, where it represents the goodness and pureness of people, and is where truth can be shown through. Fire, is a comparison of the devil, the dark, where things are hidden, and the unknown. 'Burning blue and ominous' is giving the impression that something bad is going to happen, but because they included blue, which is the hottest of all fires, things could turn out a lot more corrupt.
'Bunyan's awful doorway' is where Pilgrims pass the entrance to hell from which flames and smoke come out. It's all referring to the fact that Chillingsworth is the 'Black Man' or otherwise known as the devil. He has an evil spark in his eye that's determined to dig into Dimmesdale's heart searching for the truth.
"Sometimes, a light glimmered out of the physician's eyes, burning blue and ominous, like the reflection of a furnace, or, let us say, like one of those gleams of ghastly fire that darted from Bunyan's awful door-way in the hill-side, and quivered on the pilgrim's face."
The comparison between light and fire is what makes this sentence quite complicated. Light is like heaven, where it represents the goodness and pureness of people, and is where truth can be shown through. Fire, is a comparison of the devil, the dark, where things are hidden, and the unknown. 'Burning blue and ominous' is giving the impression that something bad is going to happen, but because they included blue, which is the hottest of all fires, things could turn out a lot more corrupt.
'Bunyan's awful doorway' is where Pilgrims pass the entrance to hell from which flames and smoke come out. It's all referring to the fact that Chillingsworth is the 'Black Man' or otherwise known as the devil. He has an evil spark in his eye that's determined to dig into Dimmesdale's heart searching for the truth.
Scarlet Letter pg. 106
Entry 24:
"His first entry on the scene, few people could tell whence, dropping down, as it were, out of the sky, or starting from the nether earth, had an aspect of mystery, which was easily heightened to the miraculous."
The shooting star refers to the devil that was once God's foremost angel, but because he rebelled, he was thrown out of heaven. The star falling out of the sky is like the devil falling from heaven. The devil was Gods enemy, and because God is the fundamentals of the Puritan society, Chillingsworth being like the devil, will eventually end up being an enemy to the town.
"His first entry on the scene, few people could tell whence, dropping down, as it were, out of the sky, or starting from the nether earth, had an aspect of mystery, which was easily heightened to the miraculous."
The shooting star refers to the devil that was once God's foremost angel, but because he rebelled, he was thrown out of heaven. The star falling out of the sky is like the devil falling from heaven. The devil was Gods enemy, and because God is the fundamentals of the Puritan society, Chillingsworth being like the devil, will eventually end up being an enemy to the town.
Scarlet Letter pg. 105
Entry 23:
"In his Indian captivity, moreover, he had gained much knowledge of the properties of native herbs and roots"
Indians are another symbol of 'wild' and were outsiders to the Puritan society. The Indians lived in nature and because they lived in the forest, it was considered wrong. The forest is dark and unknown and there can refer back to the devil, or the fact that you can hide your secrets there.
Because this specifically mentions 'native' herbs and roots it can be compared to alchemy and magic which Chillingsworth had said before that he had 'sought gold in alchemy' (pg.69) This can allude to witches with magic, and then back to Mistress Hibbins. The fact that Mistress Hibbins is an outsider, just like the Indians, are also like Hester Prynne which there brings everything into full circle.
"In his Indian captivity, moreover, he had gained much knowledge of the properties of native herbs and roots"
Indians are another symbol of 'wild' and were outsiders to the Puritan society. The Indians lived in nature and because they lived in the forest, it was considered wrong. The forest is dark and unknown and there can refer back to the devil, or the fact that you can hide your secrets there.
Because this specifically mentions 'native' herbs and roots it can be compared to alchemy and magic which Chillingsworth had said before that he had 'sought gold in alchemy' (pg.69) This can allude to witches with magic, and then back to Mistress Hibbins. The fact that Mistress Hibbins is an outsider, just like the Indians, are also like Hester Prynne which there brings everything into full circle.
Words of The Day 11/3
Opaque: The opaque lesson of learning for the day was confusing to the class.
Propensity: Anna has a propensity to irritate me.
Propensity: Anna has a propensity to irritate me.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Scarlet Letter pg. 104
Entry 22:
"He chose to withdraw his name from the roll of mankind, and, as regarded his former ties and interests, to vanish out of life as completely as if he indeed lay at the bottom of the ocean."
Hints at shadows-->Bottom of the ocean~Dark~Unseen/unknown of~ghost
-->Devil~Bottom(hell)~outside of mankind
The bottom of the ocean has shadows and is dark and is on a deeper level than the earths' surface itself like hell.
"He chose to withdraw his name from the roll of mankind, and, as regarded his former ties and interests, to vanish out of life as completely as if he indeed lay at the bottom of the ocean."
Hints at shadows-->Bottom of the ocean~Dark~Unseen/unknown of~ghost
-->Devil~Bottom(hell)~outside of mankind
The bottom of the ocean has shadows and is dark and is on a deeper level than the earths' surface itself like hell.
Scarlet Letter pg. 99
Entry 21:
"The child finally announced that she had not been made at all, but had been plucked by her mother off the bush of wild roses, that grew by the prison door."
She refused many times to answer Mr. Wilson's question. She knew who had made her, and was smart enough to know who the heavenly father was, but instead decided to be stubborn. Then she told him that her mother had plucked her from a rose bush by the jail cell.
If you think about an un-plucked rose.. it's confined to the bush itself and can't be let free. The town, like a jail cell, is like the 'bush' and everyone in the town is like a rose. No one else has been 'plucked' from the actual plant though. Being plucked from the bush, takes you away from society and gives you the ability to believe and do things their own way, like Pearl. I would much rather be plucked then have to be on the containing bush.
Then you can look at Hester and think that maybe her flower went weak, and fell off the plant. Then, by sinning, she plucked Pearl off it as well.
"The child finally announced that she had not been made at all, but had been plucked by her mother off the bush of wild roses, that grew by the prison door."
She refused many times to answer Mr. Wilson's question. She knew who had made her, and was smart enough to know who the heavenly father was, but instead decided to be stubborn. Then she told him that her mother had plucked her from a rose bush by the jail cell.
If you think about an un-plucked rose.. it's confined to the bush itself and can't be let free. The town, like a jail cell, is like the 'bush' and everyone in the town is like a rose. No one else has been 'plucked' from the actual plant though. Being plucked from the bush, takes you away from society and gives you the ability to believe and do things their own way, like Pearl. I would much rather be plucked then have to be on the containing bush.
Then you can look at Hester and think that maybe her flower went weak, and fell off the plant. Then, by sinning, she plucked Pearl off it as well.
Vocabulary Words 11/2
Opaque: adjective: not able to be seen through; not transparent
Propensity: noun: an inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way
Esoteric: adj: intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest
Vitiated: verb: spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of
Magnate: noun: a wealthy and influential person, esp. in business
Malleable: adjective: (of a metal or other material) able to be hammered or pressed permanently out of shape without breaking or cracking. (figurative) easily influenced; pliable
Dearth: noun: a scarcity or lack of something
Florid: adj: elaborately or excessively intricate or complicated
Evanescent: adj: soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly fading or disappearing
Veneration: verb: regard with great respect; revere
Propensity: noun: an inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way
Esoteric: adj: intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest
Vitiated: verb: spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of
Magnate: noun: a wealthy and influential person, esp. in business
Malleable: adjective: (of a metal or other material) able to be hammered or pressed permanently out of shape without breaking or cracking. (figurative) easily influenced; pliable
Dearth: noun: a scarcity or lack of something
Florid: adj: elaborately or excessively intricate or complicated
Evanescent: adj: soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly fading or disappearing
Veneration: verb: regard with great respect; revere
Monday, November 1, 2010
Scarlet Letter pg. 97
Entry 20:
"I am mother's child and my name is Pearl!"
In the bible that would mean that she was God's child and she was doing her duty. Hawthorne was implying that nature is working through her, and the society is part of god. Pearl, being outside of the societies rules can't share her nature or do God's will because of her mother. The name Pearl is compared to nature somehow with God throughout. She's damned.
She could be implying to mother nature rather than her actual mother.
"I am mother's child and my name is Pearl!"
In the bible that would mean that she was God's child and she was doing her duty. Hawthorne was implying that nature is working through her, and the society is part of god. Pearl, being outside of the societies rules can't share her nature or do God's will because of her mother. The name Pearl is compared to nature somehow with God throughout. She's damned.
She could be implying to mother nature rather than her actual mother.
Scarlet Letter pg. 94
Entry 19
"And she saw that, owing to the peculiar effect of this convex mirror, the scarlet letter was represented in exaggerating and gigantic proportions, so as to be greatly the most prominent feature of her appearance. In truth, she seemed absolutely hidden behind it."
The saying, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree,"is like Hester and Pearl. Pearl is a symbol of sin, and so is her mother. Hester, before Pearl, was waiting for her husband that she didn't even love in a judging society. If they had known that she didn't love her husband, than they probably would have thought different of her. Now, she had Pearl out of adultery with a reverend, while she's still married to Chillingsworth.
When she sees the A in the armor, it fills the reflection, and is described as 'exaggerated.' The main question is, is if it really is exaggerated. The A basically defines her and who she is which is sinful. It's the most prominent part of her appearance, but maybe that's what everyone else sees of her.
Since Hester's had Pearl, everyone examines her differently. Maybe who she really is, is hiding behind the A. This refers back to the dark/light; she's in the dark, and needs to come into the light.
"And she saw that, owing to the peculiar effect of this convex mirror, the scarlet letter was represented in exaggerating and gigantic proportions, so as to be greatly the most prominent feature of her appearance. In truth, she seemed absolutely hidden behind it."
The saying, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree,"is like Hester and Pearl. Pearl is a symbol of sin, and so is her mother. Hester, before Pearl, was waiting for her husband that she didn't even love in a judging society. If they had known that she didn't love her husband, than they probably would have thought different of her. Now, she had Pearl out of adultery with a reverend, while she's still married to Chillingsworth.
When she sees the A in the armor, it fills the reflection, and is described as 'exaggerated.' The main question is, is if it really is exaggerated. The A basically defines her and who she is which is sinful. It's the most prominent part of her appearance, but maybe that's what everyone else sees of her.
Since Hester's had Pearl, everyone examines her differently. Maybe who she really is, is hiding behind the A. This refers back to the dark/light; she's in the dark, and needs to come into the light.
Scarlet Letter pg. 89
Entry 18
Pearl, as already hinted, was of demon origin, these good people not unreasonably argued that a Christian interest in the mother's soul required them to remove such a stumbling-block from her path. If the child, on the other hand, were really capable of moral and religious growth, and possessed the elements of ultimate salvation, then, surely, it would enjoy all the fairer prospect of these advantages by being transferred to wiser and better guardianship then Hester Prynne's.
Governor Bellingham and Mr. Wilson wanted to be the 'saviors' of Pearl, and try to give her a better life than what they thought Hester could give her. The only savior there was, was God, who gave Pearl to Hester. The child is the only thing Hester has left besides the A sitting on her bosom.
Hester was Christian and believed in the religion, but sinned, and because of the sin, the town changed everything they once thought her to be. Pearl, didn't have to believe in any religion because she was born outside the laws and foundations of the town. Testing Pearl to have religious growth is an automatic failure anyway. She symbolizes sin, isn't sinful, she doesn't need salvation, and it's not going to take away from the fact that she was born out of adultery.
Pearl is like a living A, no one would want to take on that burden.
Pearl, as already hinted, was of demon origin, these good people not unreasonably argued that a Christian interest in the mother's soul required them to remove such a stumbling-block from her path. If the child, on the other hand, were really capable of moral and religious growth, and possessed the elements of ultimate salvation, then, surely, it would enjoy all the fairer prospect of these advantages by being transferred to wiser and better guardianship then Hester Prynne's.
Governor Bellingham and Mr. Wilson wanted to be the 'saviors' of Pearl, and try to give her a better life than what they thought Hester could give her. The only savior there was, was God, who gave Pearl to Hester. The child is the only thing Hester has left besides the A sitting on her bosom.
Hester was Christian and believed in the religion, but sinned, and because of the sin, the town changed everything they once thought her to be. Pearl, didn't have to believe in any religion because she was born outside the laws and foundations of the town. Testing Pearl to have religious growth is an automatic failure anyway. She symbolizes sin, isn't sinful, she doesn't need salvation, and it's not going to take away from the fact that she was born out of adultery.
Pearl is like a living A, no one would want to take on that burden.
Scarlet Letter pg. 82
Entry 17:
"Whenever that look appeared in her wild, bright, and deeply black eyes, it invested her with a strange remoteness and intangibility; it was as if she were hovering in the air and might vanish, like a glimmering light that comes we know not whence, and goes we know not wither."
All the motifs are compared in the first part of this sentence. Wild, or untamed, like a rose, was a part of Pearl's character, which had to do with the fact that she was born outside of the society's jail cell. However, now, bright and black are in contrast to one another. Brightness is usually in comparison with the scarlet letter, or the sun which goes back to earth. Darkness refers back to sin, or hell. Even though they're all different meanings, they all connect back to one another. To have sinned you have to be wild, but to show that sin, you have to have light shown upon it.
Pearl, instead of comparing her to a 'glimmering light,' can be compared back to a bird which 'hovers in the air and might vanish.' It comes and goes when it pleases, as when describing the light it isn't known when it's going to be there or when it leaves.
Pearl is a sin in another sin of hiding the father, and the light is supposed to show sin, where is it?
"Whenever that look appeared in her wild, bright, and deeply black eyes, it invested her with a strange remoteness and intangibility; it was as if she were hovering in the air and might vanish, like a glimmering light that comes we know not whence, and goes we know not wither."
All the motifs are compared in the first part of this sentence. Wild, or untamed, like a rose, was a part of Pearl's character, which had to do with the fact that she was born outside of the society's jail cell. However, now, bright and black are in contrast to one another. Brightness is usually in comparison with the scarlet letter, or the sun which goes back to earth. Darkness refers back to sin, or hell. Even though they're all different meanings, they all connect back to one another. To have sinned you have to be wild, but to show that sin, you have to have light shown upon it.
Pearl, instead of comparing her to a 'glimmering light,' can be compared back to a bird which 'hovers in the air and might vanish.' It comes and goes when it pleases, as when describing the light it isn't known when it's going to be there or when it leaves.
Pearl is a sin in another sin of hiding the father, and the light is supposed to show sin, where is it?
Scarlet Letter pg. 80
Entry 16:
"Day after day, she looked fearfully into the child's expanding nature; ever dreading to detect some dark and wild peculiarity, that should correspond with the guiltiness to which she owed her being"
Hester is afraid that Pearl will continue to carry on her guilt. She doesn't want Pearl to be like the A on her bosom for everyone to see, and judge, but not understand. She wants her own consequences of her own sin (Pearl) to have a fresh start regardless of what she actually represents.
"Day after day, she looked fearfully into the child's expanding nature; ever dreading to detect some dark and wild peculiarity, that should correspond with the guiltiness to which she owed her being"
Hester is afraid that Pearl will continue to carry on her guilt. She doesn't want Pearl to be like the A on her bosom for everyone to see, and judge, but not understand. She wants her own consequences of her own sin (Pearl) to have a fresh start regardless of what she actually represents.
Scarlet Letter pg. 80
Entry 15:
PEARL
Pearl: Unique and precious--> Hester held her baby close to her like an oyster would to sand.
Compares to nature, and the magical elements of nature.
She was born out of sin, so she is automatically outside of the Puritan society. She can act however she wants, and be judged, but since she already has the label of 'sin', there's nothing more that can come of it.
"a lovely and immortal flower, out of the rank of luxuriance of a guilty passion."
"Her Pearl! 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!"
Hester is 'paying' for the price of her sin, and with it, Pearl is all she has left.
PEARL
Pearl: Unique and precious--> Hester held her baby close to her like an oyster would to sand.
Compares to nature, and the magical elements of nature.
She was born out of sin, so she is automatically outside of the Puritan society. She can act however she wants, and be judged, but since she already has the label of 'sin', there's nothing more that can come of it.
"a lovely and immortal flower, out of the rank of luxuriance of a guilty passion."
"Her Pearl! 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!"
Hester is 'paying' for the price of her sin, and with it, Pearl is all she has left.
Scarlet Letter pg. 79
Entry 14:
"the symbol was not mere scarlet cloth, tinged in an earthly dye-pot, but was red-hot with internal fire, and could be seen glowing all alight, whenever Hester Prynne walked abroad in the night-time.
Red-hot light: (Red)Hot~Hell Fires Light~Scarlet Light Red~Scarlet
They're all connected, and compare back to the sin of the scarlet letter. It mentions 'earthly dye-pot' as the golden thread surrounding it, and it compares the levels of the earth; you can see the golden sun from earth, and can see the fires of hell from below.
"the symbol was not mere scarlet cloth, tinged in an earthly dye-pot, but was red-hot with internal fire, and could be seen glowing all alight, whenever Hester Prynne walked abroad in the night-time.
Red-hot light: (Red)Hot~Hell Fires Light~Scarlet Light Red~Scarlet
They're all connected, and compare back to the sin of the scarlet letter. It mentions 'earthly dye-pot' as the golden thread surrounding it, and it compares the levels of the earth; you can see the golden sun from earth, and can see the fires of hell from below.
Scarlet Letter pg. 78
Entry 13:
"as she met the same sanctified frown of some matron, who, according to the rumor of all tongues, had kept cold snow within her bosom throughout life"
The matron is one who kept their heart away from anything and was never able to open up to anyone which is why she's 'cold.' She's too focused on being pure.
"The unsunned snow in the matron's bosom, and the burning shame on Hester Prynne's-what had the two in common? "
Matron--> cold snow~unsunned snow- compared to burning shame.
Both the Matron and Hester Prynne are sort of outcasts but in different ways, the Matron being shameless, and Hester being shameful.
"as she met the same sanctified frown of some matron, who, according to the rumor of all tongues, had kept cold snow within her bosom throughout life"
The matron is one who kept their heart away from anything and was never able to open up to anyone which is why she's 'cold.' She's too focused on being pure.
"The unsunned snow in the matron's bosom, and the burning shame on Hester Prynne's-what had the two in common? "
Matron--> cold snow~unsunned snow- compared to burning shame.
Both the Matron and Hester Prynne are sort of outcasts but in different ways, the Matron being shameless, and Hester being shameful.
Scarlet Letter pg. 78
Entry 12
"She felt of fancied, then, that the scarlet letter had endowed her with a new sense. She shuddered to believe, yet could not help believing, that it gave her a sympathetic knowledge of the hidden sin in other hearts."
The people that she could feel gaze at the A when she walked by gave her a throb of pain and she wondered if she had sinned alone. Hester has Pearl so it proves that she has sinned, but no one else has real proof, so as she walks along the town she wonders who else has.
This goes back to the idea of the society being a jail because everyone is too scared of the punishment to actually admit to their sins. If the town wasn't so harsh, Hester's sin would have been dealt with differently, and there'd probably be so many, they'd let some of them go.
"She felt of fancied, then, that the scarlet letter had endowed her with a new sense. She shuddered to believe, yet could not help believing, that it gave her a sympathetic knowledge of the hidden sin in other hearts."
The people that she could feel gaze at the A when she walked by gave her a throb of pain and she wondered if she had sinned alone. Hester has Pearl so it proves that she has sinned, but no one else has real proof, so as she walks along the town she wonders who else has.
This goes back to the idea of the society being a jail because everyone is too scared of the punishment to actually admit to their sins. If the town wasn't so harsh, Hester's sin would have been dealt with differently, and there'd probably be so many, they'd let some of them go.
Scarlet Letter pg. 74 & 75
Entry 11
"She possessed an art that sufficed"
"Her handiwork became what would now be termed the fashion"
"But it is not recorded that, in a single instance, her skill was called in aid to embroider the white veil which was to cover the pure blushes of a bride. The exception indicated the ever relentless vigor with which society frowned upon her sin."
Hester Prynne was skilled with a needle and thread, and was asked to make everything besides things for a wedding. 'Pure,' no one can be completely pure, and after what Hester Prynne did, everyone's thoughts had been contaminated with bad and harsh thoughts. This exception doesn't really say much, besides the fact she couldn't make wedding dresses. The society made her live outside their town and wear an A, so obviously they've proved that they frown upon her sin. Allowing her to work for the town, and not allowing her to make anything for a wedding doesn't have much effect.
"She possessed an art that sufficed"
"Her handiwork became what would now be termed the fashion"
"But it is not recorded that, in a single instance, her skill was called in aid to embroider the white veil which was to cover the pure blushes of a bride. The exception indicated the ever relentless vigor with which society frowned upon her sin."
Hester Prynne was skilled with a needle and thread, and was asked to make everything besides things for a wedding. 'Pure,' no one can be completely pure, and after what Hester Prynne did, everyone's thoughts had been contaminated with bad and harsh thoughts. This exception doesn't really say much, besides the fact she couldn't make wedding dresses. The society made her live outside their town and wear an A, so obviously they've proved that they frown upon her sin. Allowing her to work for the town, and not allowing her to make anything for a wedding doesn't have much effect.
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