The Scarlet Letter
Nathaniel Hawthorne
"'Will he go back with us, hand in hand, we three together, into the town?'" (Hawthorne, 163). Pearl up to this time had been left in the dark about the situation between her mother and Dimmesdale, though she was aware of something. Not knowing who her father was related her to an unsolved mystery. The unsolved mystery of her own existence and the mystery of the town of who the man was. Dimmesdale reveals his secret right before his death. The mystery is therefore solved, but does that really provide all of the answers? Well, no. That part of the mystery is solved, but we do not know for sure what became of Pearl and Hester after the fact. However, this must not be relevant to the story considering it is not explained. The more important aspect of the story is the letter and the lessons taught. The story concludes with Hester's grave, but did her penance with the scarlet letter save her? Is God as merciful as Dimmesdale believed? Did Dimmesdale and Hester meet again in heaven?----The world may never know....
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
A and such
The Scarlet Letter
Nathaniel Hawthorne
"On a field, sable, the letter A, gules." In other words, on a black field, lies the scarlet letter A. The letter as I mentioned in my other blog symbolizes and stands for the act of adultery that Hester committed. The conclusion of the book does not exactly clarify what happened to Hester and Pearl after the passing of Dimmesdale and Chillingworth. It says that the people of Boston were not aware what truly happened to them, so the whole story became a legend. The scarlet letter was carried with Hester til her death. Hester's cottage is again present in the conclusion. This cottage lies on the edge of the forest and of the town. The forest is where the strict Puritan laws no longer exist and the characters are allowed to be themselves. The city is where the laws do of course apply. The cottage shows how Hester lived her life on the edge of both areas and how she easily went from one sphere to the other.
Nathaniel Hawthorne
"On a field, sable, the letter A, gules." In other words, on a black field, lies the scarlet letter A. The letter as I mentioned in my other blog symbolizes and stands for the act of adultery that Hester committed. The conclusion of the book does not exactly clarify what happened to Hester and Pearl after the passing of Dimmesdale and Chillingworth. It says that the people of Boston were not aware what truly happened to them, so the whole story became a legend. The scarlet letter was carried with Hester til her death. Hester's cottage is again present in the conclusion. This cottage lies on the edge of the forest and of the town. The forest is where the strict Puritan laws no longer exist and the characters are allowed to be themselves. The city is where the laws do of course apply. The cottage shows how Hester lived her life on the edge of both areas and how she easily went from one sphere to the other.
that theme
The Scarlet Letter
Nathaniel Hawthorne
A major theme throughout the book is how evil plays a role in people's lives. Chillingworth is a representation of one evil that was a part of Hester and Dimmesdale's life. "'Hadst thou sought the whole earth over,' said he (Chillingworth), looking darkly at the clergyman, 'there was no one place so secret,-no high place nor lowly place, where thou couldst have escaped me,-save on this very scaffold!'" (Hawthorne, 195). Chillingworth is the evil present due to past events. Therefore, even though, Chillingworth relates to the devil, there were past events, the cheating, that caused him to become this evil being. In the quote, Chillingworth is that temptation or Satan trying to work on the minister, but the scaffold represents the minister's safe place in which the devil can not reach him. This relates to everyone. We all have temptations, but there is always that place we can go in which the devil can not influence us. Chillingworth got Hester to hide his true identity from Dimmesdale, but Hester telling Dimmesdale shows the inclination of people to good. Despite the evil Chillingworth working in her life, Hester found a way to overcome his evil. Evil is ever present in people's lives, but it is possible to turn away and do what is good.
Nathaniel Hawthorne
A major theme throughout the book is how evil plays a role in people's lives. Chillingworth is a representation of one evil that was a part of Hester and Dimmesdale's life. "'Hadst thou sought the whole earth over,' said he (Chillingworth), looking darkly at the clergyman, 'there was no one place so secret,-no high place nor lowly place, where thou couldst have escaped me,-save on this very scaffold!'" (Hawthorne, 195). Chillingworth is the evil present due to past events. Therefore, even though, Chillingworth relates to the devil, there were past events, the cheating, that caused him to become this evil being. In the quote, Chillingworth is that temptation or Satan trying to work on the minister, but the scaffold represents the minister's safe place in which the devil can not reach him. This relates to everyone. We all have temptations, but there is always that place we can go in which the devil can not influence us. Chillingworth got Hester to hide his true identity from Dimmesdale, but Hester telling Dimmesdale shows the inclination of people to good. Despite the evil Chillingworth working in her life, Hester found a way to overcome his evil. Evil is ever present in people's lives, but it is possible to turn away and do what is good.
symbol
The Scarlet Letter
Nathaniel Hawthorne
There are two main symbols within the book: Pearl and the scarlet letter. Both of the symbols relate to Hester's sin of adultery. In the last section, these symbols reach an end of some kind in a sense that they work in the final section to show Hester's ability to move on from the past. "Towards her mother, too, Pearl's errand as a messenger of anguish was all fulfilled" (Hawthorne, 197). Pearl was born into the world and was an constant reminder to Hester of her sin. The sadness would always exist as long as Pearl did not know the whole truth of her mother's story. When Dimmesdale revealed his secret, Hester no longer had to hide anything from her daughter. Furthermore, Pearl was no longer a symbol of all the trouble and pain that had occurred in the past, but the lesson learned from what had happened. Hester had overcome this great obstacle while staying strong and doing the penance to better herself. The scarlet letter had become attached to Hester, but when she was able to detach herself from it, she showed how she had overcome the situation.
Nathaniel Hawthorne
There are two main symbols within the book: Pearl and the scarlet letter. Both of the symbols relate to Hester's sin of adultery. In the last section, these symbols reach an end of some kind in a sense that they work in the final section to show Hester's ability to move on from the past. "Towards her mother, too, Pearl's errand as a messenger of anguish was all fulfilled" (Hawthorne, 197). Pearl was born into the world and was an constant reminder to Hester of her sin. The sadness would always exist as long as Pearl did not know the whole truth of her mother's story. When Dimmesdale revealed his secret, Hester no longer had to hide anything from her daughter. Furthermore, Pearl was no longer a symbol of all the trouble and pain that had occurred in the past, but the lesson learned from what had happened. Hester had overcome this great obstacle while staying strong and doing the penance to better herself. The scarlet letter had become attached to Hester, but when she was able to detach herself from it, she showed how she had overcome the situation.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Random stuff
The Scarlet Letter
Nathaniel Hawthorne
"And we must needs say, it seared Hester's bosom so deeply, that perhaps there was more truth in the rumor than our modern incredulity may be inclined to admit" (Hawthorne, 66). The scarlet letter is a sign for the adultery that she committed. Pearl is said to possibly be this demon child due to Hester's sin. There is a bunch of detailed imagery spread throughout the section. Plus, all this lovely imagery seems to relate to either the letter or the sin in some way. The governor was introduced to us in this section, but he did not seem to have an important role- at least not yet. He was in charge of deciding whether or not Hester could keep Pearl, but Dimmesdale basically made that decision for him. Chillingworth is searching to discover Dimmesdale's secret and is hiding as a physician. Pearl is a very intelligent little girl, but it is hard to tell whether she is "good or evil." All I can say to all this mumbo jumbo thrown into this section is that there is still far more to this story. I'm thinking a lot of the story comes from the back story that the reader does not yet know.
Nathaniel Hawthorne
"And we must needs say, it seared Hester's bosom so deeply, that perhaps there was more truth in the rumor than our modern incredulity may be inclined to admit" (Hawthorne, 66). The scarlet letter is a sign for the adultery that she committed. Pearl is said to possibly be this demon child due to Hester's sin. There is a bunch of detailed imagery spread throughout the section. Plus, all this lovely imagery seems to relate to either the letter or the sin in some way. The governor was introduced to us in this section, but he did not seem to have an important role- at least not yet. He was in charge of deciding whether or not Hester could keep Pearl, but Dimmesdale basically made that decision for him. Chillingworth is searching to discover Dimmesdale's secret and is hiding as a physician. Pearl is a very intelligent little girl, but it is hard to tell whether she is "good or evil." All I can say to all this mumbo jumbo thrown into this section is that there is still far more to this story. I'm thinking a lot of the story comes from the back story that the reader does not yet know.
Dimmesdale and Chillingworth
The Scarlet Letter
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Chillingworth and Minister Dimmesdale are two very interesting characters. I have extreme suspicions about both of them. Chillingworth is Hester's husband (or ex-husband?) in disguise. The reader and Hester are the only ones who know of their actual relation. I would say there is a bitterness between the two, but I think there is a lot more to this man then we know after the second section. Minister Dimmesdale displays that he is on Hester's side when she is fighting to keep Pearl. "'God gave her the child, and gave her too, an instinctive knowledge of its nature and requirement...'" (Hawthorne, 86). Now, does he truly believe this or does he just not want to take Pearl away from her? Like I said, I have serious suspicions and he is definitely involved in some way. Chillingworth discovers something at the end of this section, we just don't know what that is yet. They are both involved with Hester and the child more in some way.
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Chillingworth and Minister Dimmesdale are two very interesting characters. I have extreme suspicions about both of them. Chillingworth is Hester's husband (or ex-husband?) in disguise. The reader and Hester are the only ones who know of their actual relation. I would say there is a bitterness between the two, but I think there is a lot more to this man then we know after the second section. Minister Dimmesdale displays that he is on Hester's side when she is fighting to keep Pearl. "'God gave her the child, and gave her too, an instinctive knowledge of its nature and requirement...'" (Hawthorne, 86). Now, does he truly believe this or does he just not want to take Pearl away from her? Like I said, I have serious suspicions and he is definitely involved in some way. Chillingworth discovers something at the end of this section, we just don't know what that is yet. They are both involved with Hester and the child more in some way.
Pearl
The Scarlet Letter
Nathaniel Hawthorne
"Pearl was a born outcast of the infantile world" (Hawthorne, 70). Pearl is also present in the first section where the reader knows she is a part of the picture, but they do not know anything about her. As the quote points out, Pearl is not included into the normal children group of people. She was born illegitimately which separates her from most children. Hester points out that there are bound to be more like Pearl; however, these children are not identified. Pearl is Hester's pearl. She is the jewel from the disastrous situation that she is in. She argues with the Governor and ministers to allow her the chance to continue to raise her child. Pearl is the one true good thing in Hester's life, and she needs Pearl. Furthermore, Pearl teaches Hester how to deal with the tragedy and can help teach her daughter how to stay on the right path.
Nathaniel Hawthorne
"Pearl was a born outcast of the infantile world" (Hawthorne, 70). Pearl is also present in the first section where the reader knows she is a part of the picture, but they do not know anything about her. As the quote points out, Pearl is not included into the normal children group of people. She was born illegitimately which separates her from most children. Hester points out that there are bound to be more like Pearl; however, these children are not identified. Pearl is Hester's pearl. She is the jewel from the disastrous situation that she is in. She argues with the Governor and ministers to allow her the chance to continue to raise her child. Pearl is the one true good thing in Hester's life, and she needs Pearl. Furthermore, Pearl teaches Hester how to deal with the tragedy and can help teach her daughter how to stay on the right path.
So that "A"
The Scarlet Letter
Nathaniel Hawthorne
That "A" seems to play a pretty large part in this book. The letter is described briefly in the first section of the book. The "A" is scarlet with gold embroidering and all that fine and dandy detail in the first section. In this second section, the description of the letter revolves around how the letter affects Hester. Most of the description is found in chapter five. "When strangers looked curiously at the scarlet letter,-and none ever failed to do so,-they branded it afresh into Hester's soul..." (Hawthorne, 65). The pain from the letter became almost intolerable at times, but she accepted her punishment. The scarlet letter is even said to be present in Pearl, Hester's illegitimate child. The letter is a constant reminder of her sin, and she points out that this reminder allows her to learn from her mistake. I have a feeling there is even more to be learned about this letter considering the title of the book, but that will be revealed in the future.
Nathaniel Hawthorne
That "A" seems to play a pretty large part in this book. The letter is described briefly in the first section of the book. The "A" is scarlet with gold embroidering and all that fine and dandy detail in the first section. In this second section, the description of the letter revolves around how the letter affects Hester. Most of the description is found in chapter five. "When strangers looked curiously at the scarlet letter,-and none ever failed to do so,-they branded it afresh into Hester's soul..." (Hawthorne, 65). The pain from the letter became almost intolerable at times, but she accepted her punishment. The scarlet letter is even said to be present in Pearl, Hester's illegitimate child. The letter is a constant reminder of her sin, and she points out that this reminder allows her to learn from her mistake. I have a feeling there is even more to be learned about this letter considering the title of the book, but that will be revealed in the future.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
acquaint with darkness
Acquainted with the Night
Robert Frost
The language used in this poem is all rather dark. The idea of night obviously depicts darkness, but the idea of isolation also lends itself to the darker tone of the poem. The speaker has "outwalked the furthest city light" (976); this lends itself to the isolation of the speaker. He has separated himself from the rest of the world, as shown by the previous quote. However, other isolate him as well. The voices not calling to him demonstrate that other people isolate the speaker as well. When I first read the poem, I thought the speaker solitude was also in reference to maybe a depression. Furthermore, the darker tone and images caused me to believe this as well. The only sense of light is the clock. However, this is not really bright because it is neither right or wrong, which lend to it not really being light, but not really being dark.
Robert Frost
The language used in this poem is all rather dark. The idea of night obviously depicts darkness, but the idea of isolation also lends itself to the darker tone of the poem. The speaker has "outwalked the furthest city light" (976); this lends itself to the isolation of the speaker. He has separated himself from the rest of the world, as shown by the previous quote. However, other isolate him as well. The voices not calling to him demonstrate that other people isolate the speaker as well. When I first read the poem, I thought the speaker solitude was also in reference to maybe a depression. Furthermore, the darker tone and images caused me to believe this as well. The only sense of light is the clock. However, this is not really bright because it is neither right or wrong, which lend to it not really being light, but not really being dark.
leaning against the sun
I taste a liquor never brewed
Emily Dickinson
The speaker uses imagery to describe her drunk state. However, she is not physically drunk. The reader is aware that this is not literal, because the "liquor (was) never brewed"(797). Instead, the speaker is drunk on nature or her surroundings. Terms such as liquor, Tankards, Vats, and Alcohol are used to place emphasis on the drunk state of mind of the speaker. Images of the air, dew, and the Molten Blue emphasize that the speaker is drunk on nature. An extended metaphor is used in the poem to display this as well. At the end, the poem mentions Seraphs and Saints watching the speaker walk in this state. They approve of this nature, or at least they do not judge her for it. For this reason, I thought that they did not judge her because the Saints and Seraphs are likely drunk on the nature in heaven. Either this, or the speaker will continue this state until she dies.
Emily Dickinson
The speaker uses imagery to describe her drunk state. However, she is not physically drunk. The reader is aware that this is not literal, because the "liquor (was) never brewed"(797). Instead, the speaker is drunk on nature or her surroundings. Terms such as liquor, Tankards, Vats, and Alcohol are used to place emphasis on the drunk state of mind of the speaker. Images of the air, dew, and the Molten Blue emphasize that the speaker is drunk on nature. An extended metaphor is used in the poem to display this as well. At the end, the poem mentions Seraphs and Saints watching the speaker walk in this state. They approve of this nature, or at least they do not judge her for it. For this reason, I thought that they did not judge her because the Saints and Seraphs are likely drunk on the nature in heaven. Either this, or the speaker will continue this state until she dies.
Imprison me that I shall be free
Batter my heart, three-personed God
John Donne
In John Donne's poem, irony is present in what the speaker is saying to God. He tells God that he loves him, yet he is betrothed to the devil. The speaker asks God to imprison him, so that he may be free. However, this guy isn't doing anything on his part; he's just hoping God will save him. When determining the meaning of the poem, I discovered that in the first four lines the speaker is calling upon God to fix him. God should mend him and "make him new." In the last six lines, the speaker reinforces this idea that God must interfere in order to bring the speaker to him. In connection with faith, the speaker has turned away from God and is looking for the way back. However, the speaker is saying that if he tries to come back the devil will win, and he will go back to the dark side. "Take me to you, imprison me, for I, except you enthrall me, never shall be free, nor ever chaste, except you ravish me"(840). He's telling God to lock him away from the rest of the world, so that he can be free to live out God's will.
John Donne
In John Donne's poem, irony is present in what the speaker is saying to God. He tells God that he loves him, yet he is betrothed to the devil. The speaker asks God to imprison him, so that he may be free. However, this guy isn't doing anything on his part; he's just hoping God will save him. When determining the meaning of the poem, I discovered that in the first four lines the speaker is calling upon God to fix him. God should mend him and "make him new." In the last six lines, the speaker reinforces this idea that God must interfere in order to bring the speaker to him. In connection with faith, the speaker has turned away from God and is looking for the way back. However, the speaker is saying that if he tries to come back the devil will win, and he will go back to the dark side. "Take me to you, imprison me, for I, except you enthrall me, never shall be free, nor ever chaste, except you ravish me"(840). He's telling God to lock him away from the rest of the world, so that he can be free to live out God's will.
Your love to me is like laundry...
Sorting Laundry
Elisavietta Ritchie
The poems within this unit seem to have this common technique of an extended metaphor. In this poem, sorting laundry is a metaphor for the speaker's relationship with her lover. The many images throughout the poem depict a healthy relationship between the two. For example, the image of the pockets containing random little treasures show that the relationship between the couple grows as they discover more about each other. The image of the wrinkles represent the flaws of the relationship. However, these flaws are worked out or able to be ignores showing the healthy relationship. Then a major shift in tone occurs at line 42, when she fins "the strangely tailored shirt left by a former lover"(842). The idea of another lover brings about the thought of what life would be like without her lover. The "mountain of unsorted wash could not fill the empty side of the bed" shows that her life would be emptier without her lover. This also displays the speakers stance that she would not be the same or enjoy their relationship ending.
Elisavietta Ritchie
The poems within this unit seem to have this common technique of an extended metaphor. In this poem, sorting laundry is a metaphor for the speaker's relationship with her lover. The many images throughout the poem depict a healthy relationship between the two. For example, the image of the pockets containing random little treasures show that the relationship between the couple grows as they discover more about each other. The image of the wrinkles represent the flaws of the relationship. However, these flaws are worked out or able to be ignores showing the healthy relationship. Then a major shift in tone occurs at line 42, when she fins "the strangely tailored shirt left by a former lover"(842). The idea of another lover brings about the thought of what life would be like without her lover. The "mountain of unsorted wash could not fill the empty side of the bed" shows that her life would be emptier without her lover. This also displays the speakers stance that she would not be the same or enjoy their relationship ending.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
My mistress' eyes
My mistress' eyes
William Shakespeare.
This speaker is very fond of his mistress. I mean "her eyes are nothing like the sun; coral is far more red than her lips' red."(885) The speaker goes on and on about how their mistress is like all of these beauties and the mistress loses every time. He does end up saying that her voice is nice. I don't really know what the last couplet meant. He says the the love he has is rare and valuable and then I don't know what the last part means. It says "any woman who has been lied to with false comparisons." Therefore, I would venture to guess that the speaker means that his earlier comparisons were false. Based on the gender theme of the unit, maybe it is saying that men likely do not say what they truly mean. It could also mean that women receive many left-handed compliments that actually would hurt their feelings. There is obviously a tone shift at line 13; there is also a shift in subject at 8, from things that the speaker "didn't like" to things they did like about his mistress. However, I am confused as to what all of this means.
Barbie Doll
Barbie Doll
Marge Piercy
"So she cut off her nose and her legs and offered them up." (836). The title of the poem is barbie doll, as everyone obviously saw. A barbie doll is what people looked to as that perfect figure or that perfect look. If one does not look like a barbie doll, then they are different, and different is not good. I'm not saying that because I believe it, but because that is what society usually portrays.The grandchild was said to have a big nose and thick legs; therefore she cut them off and was then said to be pretty. This poem has that underlying meaning that each girl shoots to be that barbie doll person. However, they change something about themselves that allows other people to view them as beautiful, but they aren't any prettier. Being just like everyone else or losing the uniqueness makes the person less beautiful not more beautiful. This is why the grandchild is pictured as being in a casket. She killed her true self to be like everyone else, and in that she lost who she really was.
Marge Piercy
"So she cut off her nose and her legs and offered them up." (836). The title of the poem is barbie doll, as everyone obviously saw. A barbie doll is what people looked to as that perfect figure or that perfect look. If one does not look like a barbie doll, then they are different, and different is not good. I'm not saying that because I believe it, but because that is what society usually portrays.The grandchild was said to have a big nose and thick legs; therefore she cut them off and was then said to be pretty. This poem has that underlying meaning that each girl shoots to be that barbie doll person. However, they change something about themselves that allows other people to view them as beautiful, but they aren't any prettier. Being just like everyone else or losing the uniqueness makes the person less beautiful not more beautiful. This is why the grandchild is pictured as being in a casket. She killed her true self to be like everyone else, and in that she lost who she really was.
A Jury of Her Peers
A Jury of Her Peers
Susan Glaspell
I greatly enjoy murder mysteries; I find them extremely intriguing. However, this story was not intriguing. (sad face) The suspense was created by knowing who killed Mr. Wright, but not knowing why. However, the story seemed to focus more on the view of superiority of men over women rather than the case at hand. "Mrs. Peter's husband broke into a laugh. 'Well, can you beat the women! Held for murder, and worrying about her preserves!'" (412). Passages like this show the superiority the men believe they have over the women. One of the questions asks how it shows the men do not believe that the females are inferior, but the only way this is really shown is through the men bringing the women along. The story ends ironically because the women are viewed to be worthless, but they are the ones who discover the motive. This shows that women are not inferior to men. The sexism is extremely prevalent in this story. The fact that the women took the criticisms without even saying a word proves how the society was in the past when women had little to no importance in society.
Susan Glaspell
I greatly enjoy murder mysteries; I find them extremely intriguing. However, this story was not intriguing. (sad face) The suspense was created by knowing who killed Mr. Wright, but not knowing why. However, the story seemed to focus more on the view of superiority of men over women rather than the case at hand. "Mrs. Peter's husband broke into a laugh. 'Well, can you beat the women! Held for murder, and worrying about her preserves!'" (412). Passages like this show the superiority the men believe they have over the women. One of the questions asks how it shows the men do not believe that the females are inferior, but the only way this is really shown is through the men bringing the women along. The story ends ironically because the women are viewed to be worthless, but they are the ones who discover the motive. This shows that women are not inferior to men. The sexism is extremely prevalent in this story. The fact that the women took the criticisms without even saying a word proves how the society was in the past when women had little to no importance in society.
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