In chapter 12, Dimmesdale stands on the platform where Hester stood to show her shame. During this time he is very nervous, "the minister discovered, by the faint ness which came over him, that the last few moments had been a crisis of terrible anxiety" (137). Later on when Hester and Pearl find him on the platform and Pearl continually ass, "'Wilt thou stand here with mother and me, to-morrow noontide?'" (139), in which Dimmesdale responds "Nay; not so, my little Pearl". This is where the difference between Hester and Dimmesdale is very clear. Hester owned up to her sin and has yet to run away from the community that humiliated her by forcing her to wear the scarlet letter, as well as raising her child on her own. This is what makes her the archetype of the independent liberated woman. However Dimmesdale is not ready to confess his secret, even though it is taking over his mind. He is embarrassed and selfish in the sense, completely opposite of how Hester dealt with the situation. It's is hard fitting him into a certain archetype, but the best I could do is to put him under the category of a lost soul. He is confused and vulnerable as his mind is not in the right state from keeping his secret in.
Eventually it is revealed that the A has several different meanings. The A can stand be for angel or able. I need to read further to conclude who finds the A to have a good meaning, and those who find it to be negative.
"You are beside him, sleeping and waking. You search his thoughts, You burrow and rankle in his heart! Your clutch is on his life, and you cause him to die daily a living death; and still he knows to not. In permitting this, I have surely acted a false part by the only man to whom the was left me to be true!" (154)
This is a significant line Hester has where she is speaking to her past husband. It is revealed that Dimmesdale is not aware of Chillingworth's significance in Hester's life, however Chillingworth can do much damage to him if he wished. He has power of Dimmesdale and can make his life terrifying if he wishes to do so. This represents the power of revenge and anger a man can contain. It is up to Chillingworth to use his power or not and I will find out as I continue to read.
Questions:
Who knows what? ->
Does Pearl know Dimmesdale is her father?
Is Chillingworth aware that Hester had her affair with Dimmesdale?
Why did Dimmesdale and Hester barely speak when they were together on the platform one night?
What is the emotional past relationship Hester and Dimmesdale had?
*Be sure to proofread your writing*
ReplyDeleteI'd also wonder if she is entirely liberated - there is the scarlet letter that she is forced to wear, and her society has in effect shunned her. Can she be anything else? This is also a good area to look at the "darkness" that we discussed at our conference this week. My suggestion is to reply to this post and apply that idea. The idea of damage here is especially important when thinking about application. Return to your questions once you get a bit further.
I'm also a little worried about your falling behind; your class is receiving its paper today (Thurs, 10/2) and will be working on the piece on Monday in class. You will need to be back in class at that point, and the book needs to be finished! Please let me know if you've caught up.
As far as feeling liberated, I believe Hester feels a huge amount of relief when she "Undid the clap that fastened the scarlet letter, and taking it from her bosom, threw it to a distance among the withered leaves (183)." As she did this, the sun finally shined through to her. Hester feels freer without the symbol on her chest. However, this upsets Pearl and she puts it back on to make her cooperate.
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