Hester also punished herself by never marrying or seeking love, severing her ties to society, and choosing the cheapest clothes and material. Not according to the townspeople and magistrates of The Scarlet Letter. It is the human condition that directs the social condition, not vice versa." On what note does chapter 2 begin? Female Independence. All types of Сryptocurrencies - Payment Without Commission. She does not reveal who the father of Pearl is, trying to protect Dimmesdale’s reputation in the congregation. The Scarlet Letter is a revolutionary novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne examining the ugliness, complexity, and strength of the human spirit and character that shares new ideas about independence and the struggles women faced in 17th century America. Adultery, to wear an embroidered letter “A” to mark her with a badge of shame. Softcover book in new condition. Another prominent Russian writer, Anton Chekhov, in The Lady with a Pet Dog (1899), emulated Hawthornes very modern treatment of the psychological turmoil arising from adultery. People are all standing around the prison waiting for someone to emerge. The dark colors underline sin and their evil, distraught intentions while the lightness emphasizes innocence and exposure. This suffering, by her own admission, was precisely what made her stronger and less bound to fall for the trivialities of life. In The Scarlet Letter, Hester commits adultery which is deviating from the path a Puritan is suppose to take. 33 people found this helpful The “blackness” did not allude to race. It throws light upon the aspects of sin, evil and goodness. Scarlet Letter Essay Brainstorm Thesis: The antithesis between Dimmesdale, and Chillingworth illustrate the human condition in that most people dirvert or hide from responsibilty in face of adversity rather than confronting the situation Themes: Human Condition, Betray/Trust, Blame. She came over to New England before her husband, who promised to meet her there later. NEXT POST: Should both parents take equal responsibility in raising a child essay? Hester’s punishment was to spend a little time in jail; she is released three months after the birth of her child, the child her Puritan community believes was conceived in sin since Hester’s husband has been missing for two years. She is confused when she sees him there because she doesn’t know what happened to him and how he got there. However, he was wise in his characterization of Hester for she was an independent, morally unbound, passionate, and self -sufficient woman who withstood like a warrior all the mockery and hurt that the hypocritical settlers bestowed upon her with their "holier than thou" attitudes. Why does this discovery both confuse and frighten her? For what sin is Hester Prynne condemned? “The Scarlet Letter” was set in Boston, Massachusetts in the mid 1600’s and follows the backlash of the sinful act between Hester Prynne and Boston’s own Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale. Chillingworth wants to exact a punishment from the secret lover, Reverend Mister Dimmesdale. How does Dimmesdale punish himself in chapter 11 of, What does the rose bush near the prison door symbolize in, What does Chillingworth discover when Reverend Dimmesdale is sleeping in Chapter 10 of. Both are aware with the fact, both are knowledgeable about the situation but they are not revealing the truth. It was pain which made her more protective of her daughter; her isolation made her more aware of the needs of others for whom she was always available. major conflict Her husband having inexplicably failed to join her in Boston following their emigration from Europe, Hester Prynne engages in an extramarital affair with Arthur Dimmesdale. Sin and knowledge are linked in the Judeo-Christian tradition. Sin and knowledge are linked in the Judeo-Christian tradition. When Hester dies, she is buried next to Dimmesdale. The characters in the novel frequently debate the identity of the Black Man, the embodiment of evil. Summary—Chapter 5: Hester at Her Needle After a few months, Hester is released from prison. One that would transform us into stronger individuals, more resilient, and more able to understand the depths of humanity by bringing us closer to our own needs. In addition to his training in European science, he also has some knowledge of native or natural remedies, because he was captured by Native Americans and lived with them for a ti… This “tale of human frailty and sorrow” refers to the entire Scarlet Letter, all the way up to the unfortunate ending of the story. Citations Aitken, Robert. Hester becomes a seamstress. He incorporates himself into society in the role of a doctor, and since the townsfolk have very little access to good medical care, he is welcomed and valued. But Dimmesdale offers us a hierarchy of sin—a crime of passion, like the one he and Hester committed, isn't nearly as bad as betraying the human heart by mercilessly plotting to destroy a man. Why does Hester agree to keep Chillingworth’s identity a secret? She redeems herself when she acts selfless by helping the less fortunate even though the whole community rejects and harasses her. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Sign up now, Latest answer posted January 23, 2014 at 5:42:46 AM, Latest answer posted August 29, 2010 at 7:05:42 AM, Latest answer posted June 15, 2018 at 3:47:50 PM, Latest answer posted October 23, 2010 at 4:45:13 PM, Latest answer posted December 05, 2017 at 12:19:23 AM. She gives away all her spare money to the poor, on people who actually have more than she does. Are you a teacher? Theodore Dreisers n… A must buy if ever there was one. In other words, Hawthorne viewed suffering as a necessary catalyst in the lives of individuals. But because of what she did, she was able to give birth to her daughter who she loves so much, find the man she truly loves, and see the hidden darkness that was buried deep within Roger Chillingworth’s heart. The nameless narrator was the surveyor of the customhouse in Salem, Massachusetts.In the customhouse's attic, he discovered a number of documents, among them a manuscript that was bundled with a scarlet, gold-embroidered patch of cloth in the … *****Discount gladly offered on the combined shipping & handling of multiple purchases, as long as they are made within 7 days of each other; and paid for on ONE combined invoice. In class we discussed Hawthorne's transcendentalist views and his rejection of Emerson's rosy belief that human nature is beautiful and that nature is a symbol of the human mind. She simply suffered stoically and with less rancor than a weaker person would have suffered. Already a member? Hester’s gift for ornamental needlework allows her to market her goods to the wealthy members of the community. Cite the page number. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. What are 10 examples of figurative language in The Scarlet Letter?Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. Start your 48-hour free trial and unlock all the summaries, Q&A, and analyses you need to get better grades now. There are "fantastic flourishes of gold-thread," and the letter is ornately decorative, significantly beyond the colony's laws that call for somber, unadorned attire. The irony is present in the elaborate needlework of the scarlet letter. The laws of nature, enforced only by the human conscience, govern every individual. She remains exactly who she is: strong, kind, proud, but also humble. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading The Scarlet Letter (E-Bookarama Classics). Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. The Scarlet Letter's symbolism helps create a powerful drama in Puritan Boston: a kiss, evil, sin, nature, the scarlet letter, and the … Female Independence. She only accepts to do it perhaps out of fear, or because she knows that disclosing this information would make matters worse for everybody involved. Because of this, Hester endures her punishment alone. The Puritans believed people were born sinners. Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. What is the role and significance of Mistress Hibbins As I read The Scarlet Letter, I am increasingly struck by Hawthorne's view of human nature. Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. Her strong sewing skills allow her to make her living. Nathanial Hawthorne has brilliantly critiqued the human condition and masterfully described the burden of shame, hypocrisy, vengeance and triumph. Any Complexity - Only for our Сustomers. The scarlet letter A that Hester is forced to wear is finely embroidered with gold-coloured thread. She receives occasional letters from Pearl, who has married a European aristocrat and established a family of her own.