In regards to Hester changing, she appears to be more weary of her burden. She fully accepts what has happened in the past and takes responsibility for her [past] actions. It is alomst as if her very life has been sucked away from her. In regards to Hawthorne's attitude towards Puritan society and the said [of her life seemingly having been sucked away from her]...This portrays that the actions taken by the community have had a lasting, seemingly permanant effect upon her. It is inevitable to be influenced by those who constantly shun oneself for not being quite the same [eg: the Puritan ideal is to live a Godly/pure life, which was broken in their view upon Hester's adultery]. It is possible to put up a barracade of sorts to ward against hurtful words/actions, as Hester did [eg: making the Letter lavishly designed, etc, wearing it w/o visible shame]. However, as time goes on and the outlook on her is still the same, her strength weakens because of the constant reminder of her actions by the community.
In chapter 13 Hester recognizes that she has the responsibility of making sure that Dimmesdale gives her help as a result of their mutual sin, and that she also needs to respect him as she did before.This shows that Hawthorne recognizes that Hester is unlike the majority of the "practicing" Puritans in the area by acknoledging their mutual sin but now thinking of him disrespectfully. Many of the Puritans in the community would treat a partner in adultery with disrespect and disgust even though they are equally guilty.Even though the scarlet letter is a constant burden and regret to Hester she is able to keep her head up and try to make good of the situation.
Seven years after the news of Hester's crime was released to the public, she and her reputation had become familiar to the town. Considering she did not battle or interfere with public convenience and affairs, her story just became another part of the town history. Ministers began to view the scarlet letter as a sign of penance, rather than that of sin. Hawthorne suggests that human nature tends to love rather than hate, which indicates his attitudes about Puritan society. I believe that he feels that their society is immensly strict, but has good intentions and is essentially kind and accepting. As a person, Hawthorne states that Hester seemed to have lost an affectionate attribute, which may be the result of standing alone in the world after her crime. Dealing with her haunting mistakes, being forced to live away from society, and raising Pearl on her own contributed to her change in personality.
Chapter thirteen is a seven year flash forward. Hawthorne describes how society has gotten used to Hester and the scarlet letter she displays. The embellished "A" was no longer a "badge of shame". Instead of being referred to as "adultery", "A" began to represent words like "affection" and "able". The only reason this occurred is because Hester started to take part in the community. She brought food to the poor and nursed the sick. I think these changes are purposely made by Hawthorne to show how shallow the Puritan people were. Once Hester began to help them and do things that benefited their needs, she was no longer a shameful adulteress. I'm not saying the people of her society did a complete turn-around and wanted to be "best buds" with her, but they did treat her with a little less ridiculing. However, Hester's personality changed. She became very cold and harsh. I would imagine this would be a result of the injustice she has been experiencing the past seven years. I'm pretty sure literally wearing the label of "adulteress" would have a very large impact on a person's dignity and outlook on life. Despite her community service, Hester's inner self became cold, pessimistic, and withdrawn. She is no longer the attractive, poised woman she was.
Hester has changed from being a case of pity to a strong woman in the society. Hester had long since been a fascination of the townspeople. Hawthorne shows a different view of people through Hester saying, " It is to the credit of human nature that, except where its selfishness is brought into play, it loves more readily than it hates." This contrasts the initial depiction of Puritan society Hawthorne provides for the first chapters. In the initial scaffold scene Hawthorne shows the harshness and cruelty that defines Puritan society. Prynne is an example of a virtuous member of Puritan society although she has made mistakes she never battle the public and she is modest. She has matured so much in her virtue that she is even capable of pitying Dimmesdale for he is still struggling with his guilt. Her improvement of character after her sin shows the capability of change in people. The townspeople have somewhat forgotten or do not care as much anymore and their initial cruelty have subsided. The A on her chest had at first taken away all of her character and left a barren sign of sin. Now the A has been conquered by her, she wears it proudly and is able to make up for it with her modesty and virtuosity.
Snoopy -- interesting observation. Is there anything specific that makes you feel this way about Hester? Any specific lines or descriptions you can point out? Pearl seems to wear her out at times and is constantly asking her about the letter, etc.
8 comments:
In regards to Hester changing, she appears to be more weary of her burden. She fully accepts what has happened in the past and takes responsibility for her [past] actions. It is alomst as if her very life has been sucked away from her. In regards to Hawthorne's attitude towards Puritan society and the said [of her life seemingly having been sucked away from her]...This portrays that the actions taken by the community have had a lasting, seemingly permanant effect upon her. It is inevitable to be influenced by those who constantly shun oneself for not being quite the same [eg: the Puritan ideal is to live a Godly/pure life, which was broken in their view upon Hester's adultery].
It is possible to put up a barracade of sorts to ward against hurtful words/actions, as Hester did [eg: making the Letter lavishly designed, etc, wearing it w/o visible shame]. However, as time goes on and the outlook on her is still the same, her strength weakens because of the constant reminder of her actions by the community.
In chapter 13 Hester recognizes that she has the responsibility of making sure that Dimmesdale gives her help as a result of their mutual sin, and that she also needs to respect him as she did before.This shows that Hawthorne recognizes that Hester is unlike the majority of the "practicing" Puritans in the area by acknoledging their mutual sin but now thinking of him disrespectfully. Many of the Puritans in the community would treat a partner in adultery with disrespect and disgust even though they are equally guilty.Even though the scarlet letter is a constant burden and regret to Hester she is able to keep her head up and try to make good of the situation.
Seven years after the news of Hester's crime was released to the public, she and her reputation had become familiar to the town. Considering she did not battle or interfere with public convenience and affairs, her story just became another part of the town history. Ministers began to view the scarlet letter as a sign of penance, rather than that of sin. Hawthorne suggests that human nature tends to love rather than hate, which indicates his attitudes about Puritan society. I believe that he feels that their society is immensly strict, but has good intentions and is essentially kind and accepting. As a person, Hawthorne states that Hester seemed to have lost an affectionate attribute, which may be the result of standing alone in the world after her crime. Dealing with her haunting mistakes, being forced to live away from society, and raising Pearl on her own contributed to her change in personality.
Chapter thirteen is a seven year flash forward. Hawthorne describes how society has gotten used to Hester and the scarlet letter she displays. The embellished "A" was no longer a "badge of shame". Instead of being referred to as "adultery", "A" began to represent words like "affection" and "able". The only reason this occurred is because Hester started to take part in the community. She brought food to the poor and nursed the sick. I think these changes are purposely made by Hawthorne to show how shallow the Puritan people were. Once Hester began to help them and do things that benefited their needs, she was no longer a shameful adulteress. I'm not saying the people of her society did a complete turn-around and wanted to be "best buds" with her, but they did treat her with a little less ridiculing. However, Hester's personality changed. She became very cold and harsh. I would imagine this would be a result of the injustice she has been experiencing the past seven years. I'm pretty sure literally wearing the label of "adulteress" would have a very large impact on a person's dignity and outlook on life. Despite her community service, Hester's inner self became cold, pessimistic, and withdrawn. She is no longer the attractive, poised woman she was.
Hester has changed from being a case of pity to a strong woman in the society. Hester had long since been a fascination of the townspeople. Hawthorne shows a different view of people through Hester saying, " It is to the credit of human nature that, except where its selfishness is brought into play, it loves more readily than it hates." This contrasts the initial depiction of Puritan society Hawthorne provides for the first chapters. In the initial scaffold scene Hawthorne shows the harshness and cruelty that defines Puritan society. Prynne is an example of a virtuous member of Puritan society although she has made mistakes she never battle the public and she is modest. She has matured so much in her virtue that she is even capable of pitying Dimmesdale for he is still struggling with his guilt. Her improvement of character after her sin shows the capability of change in people. The townspeople have somewhat forgotten or do not care as much anymore and their initial cruelty have subsided. The A on her chest had at first taken away all of her character and left a barren sign of sin. Now the A has been conquered by her, she wears it proudly and is able to make up for it with her modesty and virtuosity.
BOB DOLE
Snoopy -- interesting observation. Is there anything specific that makes you feel this way about Hester? Any specific lines or descriptions you can point out? Pearl seems to wear her out at times and is constantly asking her about the letter, etc.
estrellapez -- good job pointing out specific details and generalizing from them.
Ditto Bob Dole
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