The Scarlet Letter Chapter 15-24 (pg. 171-259)

   I was very emotional after reading the the last 10 chapters of this novel. 1/4 of me was happy that were finally getting somewhere in the novel while the other 3/4 of me was disappointed because there was no happy ending and the author left us in confusion. To add on I felt like the ending was rushed. Its like watching a movie and your hoping there is a part 2 to that movie because the 1st one left you with wanting more. The Scarlet Letter left me with wanting more!

   In chapters 15, I sympathize with Pearl when she repeatedly asked what the scarlet letter meant. My dislike for her in the beginning of the novel till now has changed. When she compared the scarlet letter her mother wears to the same reason Dimmesdale covers his heart over his hand, made me realize how smart she is for a seven year old girl. In order for her to understand the role Dimmesdale play's in her life she needs to understand the meaning behind the scarlet letter first. Hester holding that information from her by lying about why she wears the scarlet letter makes me see Hester as a sinner to her own child.

  Reading chapters 16-20 made me happy because their was hope that the novel would turn out to be a happy ending. This part of the novel takes place in the forest where Hester and Dimmesdale Finally have an honest and private conversation among themselves. I like that they finally let their emotions out to each other about how they feel about the scarlet letter. I was proud of Hester for telling Dimmesdale that Chillingworth was her husband. The fact that Dimmesdale forgave Hester after she told him that information, in my eyes shows how much they love each other. You can't really blame them, Hester and Dimmesdale kept secrets in order to protect themselves while Chillingworth kept secrets in order to harm others. Things started to get promising when Hester and Dimmesdale decide to leave Boston together with Pearl of course. When Hester takes of the letter and throws it on the ground it shows how happy she is that they can finally be a family and start a new life. I am happy for them because after all these years of pain and suffering that they both endured they get to love each other like they should. At first when Pearl was reluctant to come over to her mother when called, I thought it was because she was jealous that her mom was with someone else instead of her. Then I begin to realize that her refusal to come to her mother was because her mother didn't have the scarlet letter on. I applaud Pearl for standing her ground because she knows that the letter is part of her mothers identity and can not be thrown away. When Pearl washes of the kiss Dimmesdale planted on her, you can see how different she is from her mother. Her mother accepts Dimmesdale while Pearl doesn't until he publicly accepts her. Towards the end of chapter 20 when he tells Chilllingworth that he is alright and doesn't need him anymore, I start seeing Dimmesdale as a new man. 

I was very disappointed when reading chapters 21-23. " that this physician here Chillinworth, he calls himself is minded to try my cabin-fare with you?" (pg 230) Really, Chillingworth is going to be on the ship with them as well. Exactly what is his purpose for following them out of Boston? I get annoyed every time I see his name and read about him. I didn't really understand what Mistress Hibbins was trying to tell Hester. All I got out of the reading was like Pearl she pointed out that the minister keeps his hand over his heart. Now chapter 23 was the jaw dropping moment we have been waiting for. Dimmesdale realizes that he is going to die, sadly, gives the most powerful sermon to the crowd. Just when things were going to look up for Hester, Dimmesdale, and Pearl. To make it even more interesting he calls Hester and Pearl to the scaffold. Dimmesdale says to Hester, "Is not this better than what we dreamed of in the forest". (pg.249) He reveals to the crowd that he is guilty of the same sin like Hester. He finally did it. The part that really got to me was when Pearl kissed him and he died. It saddens me to know that Pearl just met him and already he is leaving her and the mother for good. It shouldn't have ended this way. 

Chapter 24  Conclusion: The only good thing that made me see Chillingworth as a human being was when he gave all his property to Pearl. Other than that I didn't care if he died. It's good that Hester helps other people that are in need of help. I am happy that she was buried to the man she truly loved and that everyone now sees the scarlet letter as something else than a sin.

The Scarlet Letter Chapter 10-14 (pg. 125-171)

Chapter 10 :The Leech and His Patient- While reading this chapter, I continue to question Roger Chillingworth’s motives for helping out Dimmesdale.  Like I said from my recent blog, keep your friends close and your enemies closer. That is how I view Roger Chillingworth and Dimmesdale’s relationship as “friends”. One thing I can agree on with Chillingworth is that Dimmesdale’s condition is not a health condition but it is coming from stress due to a secret he is hiding. So exactly what is this secret that Chillingworth is soooo obsessive about? I am pretty sure we are going to find out soon. Another part in this chapter that catches my attention is when Pearl and Hester walk through the graveyard.  Chilllingworth says “There is no law, nor reverence for authority, no regard for human ordinances or opinions, right or wrong, mixed up with that child’s composition”. (Pg. 130) I agree with him again. Pearl’s behavior is disgusting at times. I feel like she has no boundaries, and her mother does nothing to stop her. Where is her father when needed? After reading the end of this chapter, I have concluded that Chillingworth is a crazy man. Why did he act the way he did when he lifted up the shirt?

Chapter 11: The Interior of a Heart- Now that I know Dimmesdale's big secret, I'm not that surprised.  Like Maury would say, “DNA results show that Dimmesdale you are the father of Pearl”. I don't know why Roger Chillingtonworth has made it a mission to hurt the minister as much as possible. Yes he slept with your wife and had a baby with her but its your fault for not showing up sooner.This chapter of the novel makes me feel bad for Dimmesdale. He describes himself as a "pollution and lie" to his parishioners yet he does not confess and they continue to view him favorably. Its like his sin lets him empathize with other sinners. The fact that the people are so concerned with sin and can't recognize a sinner, is just sad. Why can't Dimmesdale just reveal his sin to everyone else! His sin is eating him up inside and out. I am tired of feeling sorry for a man who knows right from wrong. The only way he will be able to find relief is if he confesses his sin. (Wow realized I wrote sin to much).

Chapter 12: The Minister's Vigil- Reading the beginning of this chapter makes me like Dimmesdale again. Just by reading this it you can tell that he doesn't want to hide himself of this sin he possesses, and wants to reveal it to the town. But no, he can only bring himself to experience privately what Hester endured publicly. Be a man for God's sake Dimmesdale. The part that was most interesting to read was when Pearl and Hester join him on the scaffold. The last time Hester and Pearl were there was when they revealed the scarlet letter to the crowd. I get a feeling that Pearl senses that Dimmesdale belongs on the scaffold but is to young to see why.

Chapter 13: Another View of Hester- This chapter was happy, sad yet disturbing at the same time. Its happy because, " the effect of the symbol or, rather, of the position in respect to society that was indicated by it on the mind of Hester Prynne herself was powerful and peculiar". Its like the symbol stands for more than a sinner. The people don't look at her the way they did few years back, instead they see her as pure but not pure enough to go to heaven. What a shame. The sad part about it is that her appearance has changed for the worse. Poor Hester, just a few years ago you were beautiful. The fact that she thinks that her life isn't worth living and thinks about murdering Pearl and killing herself is disturbing. I get Pearl can be a handful at times, but isn't every kid like that at that age?

Chapter 14: Hester and the Physician- Hester being a rebel. Finally there is another side of her that we don't get to see. Chillingworth is such a miserable man. Get another hobby besides tormenting poor Dimmesdale. His obsession is starting to eat him up and Hester sees that. If Hester can't get him to stop his behavior then who can? The novel is just getting interesting. Can not wait to see what happens between Hester, Chillingworth, and Dimmesdale.

The Scarlet Letter chapter 5-9 (pg. 75-124)

Chapter 5- While reading this chapter I continue to sympathize with Hester. Yes I am happy that she is released from the prison but at the same time I feel that the prison was much more safer than the outside world. She'll be wearing that letter for the rest of her life, becoming a symbol of female passion and frailty for the entire town. The worst part about this whole ordeal is that Hester is actually staying in New England. "What, finally she reasoned upon as her motive for continuing a resident of New England was half a truth, and a self delusion. Here she said to herself, had been the scene of her guilt, and here should be the scene her earthly punishment; and so, perchance, the torture of her daily shame would at length purge her soul and work out another purity than that which she had lost; more saintlike, because the result of martyrdom." (pg. 77) Its like to leave Boston would leave her unsettled for the rest of her life. Hester and Pearl settle in an abandoned cabin in the outskirts of town. Wow, her sin drives her to the border of society and nature, very secluded from everyone else. Again here I am having sympathy for her because it is just her and Pearl.  Hester supports herself as a seamstress, at least she's making a living. While reading this chapter I was very disgusted by the people's actions. The same people that pay her for her work, including the Governor still look down at her and continue to shun her. Children mock her and are afraid of her. Hester Prynne can't catch a break. 

Chapter 6- In this chapter we get to know the child born out of sin, Pearl. Such a beautiful name. The narrator describes Pearl as the human manifestation of Hester's sin. Not only can't Hester catch a break, but her daughter as well. Reading this chapter of Pearl saddens me greatly. The people in this town look down upon Pearl as a sinner. She's just an innocent child that happened to be born into a world were her life has already been decided for her thanks to her mother and father! A social outcast may I add. The fact that little kids her age are brainwashed by their stupid misguided parents about Pearl is just ridiculous. Pearl only has her mother to be her companion, and that is just sad. Also in this chapter I feel that Pearl not having a father figure in her life is affecting her reckless  behavior. Just saying.

Chapter 7- In this chapter I am really baffled as to why authorities are planning to take Pearl away from Hester because they think Pearl is possessed and dangerous to her. And if Pearl isn't possessed they deserves a less sinful mother. Oh wow, after years of shunning them they actually care about Pearl and Hester well being. This is another way of punishing Hester. This is low even for them. Hester goes to the Governors house to see if the rumors are true and to bring him gloves. Its good that she is brave enough to leave her home and to fight for her daughters well being. 

Chapter 8- In this chapter we are again introduced to Governor Bellingham, John Wilson, none other than Roger Chillingworth, and Arthur Dimmesdale. The fact that Hester is hidden from them at first and Pearl is not shows me the difference in their character. When The Governor proposes the idea that they want to take Pearl away from Hester, Hester argues that she is best fit to teach Pearl lessons from the scarlet letter. I was proud of Hester because she has enough courage to stand up to the men standing in front of her, who look at her disapprovingly. Also you can see the love she has for her daughter because she will die before they take her away from her. After the affection he showed to her back, and the fact that he stood up for Hester when the other men wouldn't, my main suspect of Pearl's father is Dimmesdale.

Chapter 9- This chapter talks about Roger Chillingworth and Dimmesdale's relationship. Honestly I feel like Roger is using Dimmesdale, somehow . Like its said keep your friends close and your enemies closer. The novels two worst sinners now live together. Splendid. Chillingworth is seen as the Devil by most people. And Dimmesdale is slowly starting to die. Their sin's are catching up to them.

The Scarlet Letter chapter 1-4 (pg. 45-74)

            In chapter 1 of the Scarlet letter, the narrator starts of describing a large group of men and women outside a wooden prison, waiting for the door to open. He adds that this particular prison was most likely built upon the founding of Boston and describes prisons as the "black flower of civilized society." Reading this part of the chapter some questions are going through my head. Why are there a crowd of men and women outside of the wooded prison? And what crime leads up to this scene? The narrator mentions a blooming wild rose bush next to the prison. He describes the rose bush as sitting on the threshold of the story he plans to tell. He then plucks one of the rose blossoms and offers it to the reader. He describes the gesture and the blossom as a symbol of the moral that the reader might learn in reading his "tale of human frailty and sorrow." (46)

            In chapter 2 the women in the crowd start gossiping, not a surprise, about Hester Prynne who everyone is waiting for to come out of the prison doors. Some say she deserves to get a harsher punishment than the one she received. One person even suggests death upon her for her sin. When reading this part I already felt sorry for Hester Prynne even before she was introduced in the novel. What did she do so wrong that people think that she should die? When Hester Prynne finally comes out of the prison door she is holding a three-month-old baby looking proud, radiant, and beautiful. On her chest Hester wears a scarlet letter “A,” affixed with beautiful embroidery that strikes some women in the crowd as inappropriate. I am proud of Hester Prynne for the way she handled herself after coming out of the prison. She showed to everyone that she could be composed and strong even in the most difficult of situations. I believe her punishment was fare because she has to stand up in the scaffold for hours and look at and angry crowd who judge her. While she is standing she realizes that her baby and the letter are reality.

            In chapter 3 Hester locks eyes with a man who stands out from every one else in the crowd. “When he found the eyes of Hester Prynne fastened on his own, and saw that she appeared to recognized him, he slowly and calmly raised his finger, made a gesture with it in the air, and laid it on his lips.” (58-59) When reading this passage, my first though was that this could possibly be the father of Hester’s baby. Something tells me it is more than that. What important role does he play in this story? One part of this chapter that makes me side with the crowd is when Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale, in front of the crowd asks Hester who she committed this adultery with. Hester refuses to tell who the father is. Like the crowd I really wanted to know. But then again the story won’t be as interesting if she told us right away.

            In chapter 4 Hester and her baby go back inside the prison and away from the disapproving crowd. The same man Hester recognized visits them posing to be a physician. From my reading he is not the father of the baby and is shockingly Hester Prynne’s husband, his name Roger Chillingworth. Why is he so eager to know the father of the baby? And why did he come back to town after many years without reveling his identity to anyone but Hester Prynne.