"Throughout them all, giving up her individuality, she would become the general symbol at which the preacher and moralist might point, and in which they may vivify and embody their images of women's frailty and sinful passion. Thus the young and pure would be taught to look at her, with the scarlet letter flaming on her breast, ―at her, the child of honorable parents,―at her, the mother of a babe, that would hereafter be a woman,―at her, who had once been innocent― as the figure, the body, the reality of sin."(pg. 71, Modern Library Edition)
A passage from The Scarlet Letter Chapter 5 Hester At Her Needle
This passage illustrates how Hester is viewed by the outside world and more specifically those in her community. Hester has acknowledged that she has done wrong yet is willing to deal with the guilt and consequences in an effort to express her strength and endurance. In a Puritan society, it was uncommon and quite rare for a woman to commit adultery, or have an affair while married to someone else. Not only did Hester have that affair, but a baby was produced as a result of it. This passage explains that Hester will be used as an example for fellow women and those to come in the future, as to what they don't want to do. She is looked down upon by the church and the people of society for what is considered to be a sin. Children will learn from her mistakes as to how she acquired the scarlet letter on her chest. Hester will be seen as a living sin, who came from good parents and an innocent, pure background. This passage is meaningful because it clearly summarizes the views of the people in the community and why they have chosen to punish her for a private matter publicly. Hawthorne uses colloquialism to describe the opinions of the society in which Hester lived and how those views play a significant role in the story. He also uses diction such as "innocent," "pure," "passion," and "sinful" to contrast what Hester should be and what is accepted to what Hester is and why her actions are so opposed.
Questions:
1. What is Roger Chillingworth's connection to Hester and why does he evoke so much emotion into his conversation with her?
2. In Chapter 5, Hawthorne describes Hester as feeling as if she didn't belong in society. What were her reasons for feeling this way?
3. Does Hawthorne defend or challenge the values, morals, and guidelines of Puritan society?
Hey Lauren!
ReplyDeleteOkay well in response to your first question, I posed the same question on my blog but I believe it to be Hester's husband. Judging by the conversation between Hester and Roger in chapter four, Roger seemed to know her too well be just any old physician. Furthermore if he is the husband of Hester, you can see why he brings so much emotion out if her. Hester was the one who wronged him, so in speaking to him face to face you can see why she feels so much guilt and shame when talking to him. Although she has been feeling this way already, it isn't the same during this conversation as she shows her emotions more deeply. You can also sense this feeling especially during the beginning of the chapter when Hester sees Roger coming in, in which she soon becomes "as still as death".
In response to your third question, Hawthorne seems to actually challenge the values of Puritan society because of the way he portrays Hester from the rest of that society. Because he takes the story mainly from Hester’s point of view, you can sense some defense Hawthorne has towards her. Even though he acknowledges Hester’s wrongdoing, he evokes sympathy from the audience by describing her thoughts and emotions, rather than just from the condemning, one-sided view of society. Basically the fact that Hawthorne shows this other side of the situation also shows how he is challenging the rest of society rather than just taking their side in looking down upon her. :D
Roger's fasination bewilders me as well. His entire fasade warrants apprehension in accepting him as a trustworthy character. His fascination is scary and the way he and the Hester went from strangers to more was to fast. I infered that they had some past encounter or the childs father but honestly I have no idea.
ReplyDeleteHester is the person who by example changes the views of people in the puritan society. Hester's actions go against what the society stands for. Analyzing the impact of the punishment had on Hester reflects the puritan mindset. The way Hester is portrayed by Hawthorne is split one way is the way people see her the other is the way she wishes to be viewed
As I'm sure you know by now, Roger is Hester's husband, and in the passage, Hawthorne depicts that he married her because he was drawn to her. Just the passion in his eyes that is so hard for him to hide when he looks at her (as illustrated in chapter 3) he connected to her. She in turn had a connection to him, not just through marrage but she feels guilty about what she has done. And it is because of this connection that they share (not neccessarily love but maybe more along the lines of respect) is the reason why all this emotion is brought up in their conversation.
ReplyDeleteBesides the Scarlet Letter on her breast making her different from the rest of the society, Hester was already different. Hawthorne hasn't told us how, but just her beauty makes her different. Her pride makes her different. She doesn't always follow the normal way of the society, so now the Scarlet A on her breast just makes her stand out even more, therefore she does not fit in with the society, she does not "belong" into this puritan "non-sinning" society.
Question 1: Chillingworth brings so much out of Prynne because it is their past-their marriage- the reason being with her secret lover, meant committing adultery. Prynne has been subjectto a life of misery, the cruel society in which she lives in has condemned her to a life of hopelessness, a life with out inner-peace. This is why, when she looks into Chillingworth's eyes she is reminded of her miserable life, she feels guilty, beneath him, sorry. And Chillingworth speaks to her with his authority as husband, she responds with guilt, yet she still defends her self and protects her daughter-the creation of her sin- Pearl.
ReplyDeleteGeneral question: Even if Hawthorne appears to present Hester sympathetically, does he wish readers to think she isn't truly a sinner? What, then, is his message about sin? Is Pearl, too, sinful?
ReplyDelete