Madi's Crash Course Video

Chapter 11

I just finished reading chapter 11 and I am very confused. I would just like to see what other people think. Was the whole chapter a dream?

Chapter 7 Video guide

Matts keep video

Nick's quote

“It is our Hester, the town’s own Hester, who is so kind to the poor, so helpful to the sick, so comfortable to the afflicted!” (147).  Hester’s good deeds and acts of kindness proves to some of the townspeople the good and light that the Scarlet letter brings to the gloomy society. 

meghan's quote

Although Dimmesdale receives so much respect from these people, “it is inconceivable, the agony with which this public veneration tortured him” (129). Dimmesdale “longed to speak out, from his own pulpit, at the full height of his voice, and tell the people what he was” (129); though he was too afraid what the townspeople would think of him. 

Trey's Quote

However the A backfired and made Hester much stronger than before “ It lies not in the pleasure of the magistrates to take off this badge… Were I worth to be quit of it, it would fall away of it own nature, or be transformed into something that should speak a different purport”(153) This quote shows that despite her life being very tough, it was only this way for a certain amount of time while the life Dimmesdale lived was very painful but it went on for much longer than the pain the Hester suffered when she first wore the A. 

Jacob's Quote

All Pearl really wants is for Dimmesdale to be true to himself as well as be true to the townspeople, so until Dimmesdale lets out his big secret, she will not accept him. While Hester and Dimmesdale were in the woods, Dimmesdale tries again to get his daughter to accept him,

The minister… hoping that a kiss might prove a talisman to admit him into the child’s kindlier regards bent forward, and impressed one on her brow. Hereupon, Pearl broke away from her mother, and, running to the brook, stooped over it, and bathed her forehead, until the unwelcome kiss was quite washed off, and diffused through a long lapse of the gliding water (195).

Dimmesdale has still yet to join Pearl and Hester on the scaffold and has yet to be true to himself. This is why when Dimmesdale lays this kiss on Pearl, she runs away immediately to wash it off because she does not like how much of a coward he is and she refuses to accept him for that reason.

matts quote

When Pearl was at the river she “Pearl still pointed with her forefinger; and a frown gathered on her brow”(192).  When she looked into the river and saw her reflection she had a frown on her face because she saw herself from another viewpoint for the first time.  She could finally see how outsiders view her and how they frown when they see her because she is a product of sin. 

Most of the key lines that i wrote down people have already put on the blog and explained greatly! One quote that I put down was on page 232 where it says, "little hand of the sin-born child was clasped in his" I know this is probably not the most important quote in all four chapters we read but it stood out to me. This is where Dimmesdale gets on the scaffold with Hester and Pearl. He takes the hand of Pearl who is his sin-born child and finally tells everyone that it is his sin. Pearl has finally agreed to love and touch him at this moment because his two selves are merging into one person.

"All Shall be well! Do not blacken your fame, and perish in dishonor! I can yet save you! Would you bring infamy on your sacred profession?" (231, Roger Chillingworth). "Ha, tempter! Methinks though art too late! Thy power it not what it was! With God's help I shall escape thee now!" (231, Mr. Dimmesdale). This line from Mr. Dimmesdale directed toward Chillingworth show that he was finally able to break free from Chillingworth's evil grasp and was able to gain the courage to speak of what he had done to the town after seven long years, finally free himself from evil and die in peace, knowing that he had revealed his secret to the town. Hester and Pearl were also idolized and were proud of Dimmesdale decision to finally gain the courage and admit to Puritan society what he had done.     

Meghan's quote

"'What a strange, sad man he is!' said the child, as if peaking partly to herself. 'In the dark night-time, he calls us to him, and holds thy hand and mine, as when we stood with him on the scaffold yonder! And in the deep forest, where only the old trees can hear, and the strip of sky see it, he talks with thee, sitting on a heap of moss! And he kisses my forehead, too, so that the little brook would hardly wash it off! But here in the sunny day, and among all the people, he know us not; not must we know him! A strange, sad man he is, with his hand always over his heart!'" (210)
This quote stood out to me because it's ironic that the one child in the town that people think is from devil origin is the only one who understood who Dimmesdale really was.

End of the Book

"God knows; and He is merciful! He hath proved his mercy, most of all, in my affliction. By giving me this burning torture to bear upon my breast! By sending yonder dark and terrible old man, to keep the torture always at red-heat! By bringing me hither, to die this death of triumphant ignominy before the people! Had either of these agonies been wanting, I had been lost for ever! Praised be his name! His will be done! Farewell!" (235). These are Dimmesdale's last words before he dies on the scaffold. they are very powerful in that he is finally, after 7 long years taking ownership for what he did and telling the town of his sins. Another key line in this reading is the last line of the book that says, "ON A FIELD, SABLE, THE LETTER A. GULES" (241). I have no clue at all what this means but i have a very good feeling that it is important. 

Matt's end of book response

A quote that stood out to me was on the last page of the book"As is the dust of the two sleepers had no right to mingle. Yet one tombstone served for both"(241). This quote stood out to me because the whole book revolves around the scarlet letter.  The letter represents many people and it changes meaning throughout the story.  Some people see it differently than others.  the part of the quote about one tombstone standing for 2 people is a representation of the letter.  This is because everyone in the town can share the same tombstone or letter because they all have  sinned in one way or another and are all very similar. This means that everyone in the town basically has a scarlet letter even though it is not visible.  When someone is buried all you can see is the tombstone not there body or anything else.  This is much like the invisible letter.  As i thought about this idea it brought be back to the first day reading when we all wrote our letter and held it up. even though we all had different letters we all could be represented by the idea of having a letter.

Appearance

In the chapter, "A Child at the Brook-Side" at the top of page 192 it reads: "For some unaccountable reason, as Arthur Dimmesdale felt the child's eyes upon himself, his hand with gesture so habitual as to have become involuntary stole over his heart. At length, assuming a singular air of authority, Pearl stretched out her hand, with the small forefinger extended, and pointing evidently towards her mother's breast. And beneath, in the mirror of the brook, there was the flower-girdled and sunny image of little pearl, pointing her small forefinger too."
I found this quote to be a key line in the chapter we read because if shows  different emotions going on between Pearl and Dimmesdale. As Dimmesdale noticed Pearl was looking at her he placed his hand on the scared "A" over his heart. Earlier in the text he seemed to touch his scare while he was thinking about his sin out of pain. But, in this instance I believe it wasn't out of pain, I think the connection made him feel good out of the acknowledgment and connection he was having with his daughter.
Then, looking at the second part of this quote Pearl sees something that is so rare she may possibly never had seen it before. Pearl points her finger at Hester's bosom acknowledging the fact that Hester was not wearing her scarlet letter. Pearl in this sense does not approve. Pearl has always been proud to see her mother wearing the "A" for instance when they were at the governors mansion and she look into the battle armor and saw an image of only the letter in her mothers place and she was pleased! Now without the letter on Hester's bosom, Pearl simply disregards her mothers commands until she put the letter back on. I find this interesting because it shows the image that Pearl has been grown-up to recognize her mother as and without the letter she doesn't seem to be the same person in the eyes of her own daughter.

Jacob and Trey's Key Line

Once upon a time, young Trey and Jacob, who had recently gone on a FaceTime date to read the ever so romantic Scarlet Letter by the man himself Nathaniel Hawthorne. After our lovely evening, we ventured to the blog. we were in horror that the evil Chuck had not done his assignment as plan. The next morning while sitting in a free period we ventured back to the blog and realized our calling was here. We took the responsibility that Charlie failed to do. #PrayforChuck #WedarealMVP #WebettergetanA #EnglishDorks #FTB

"O Arthur, cried she, forgive me! In all things else, I have striven to be true! Truth was the one virtue which i might have held fast, and did hold fast through all extremity; save when thy good, deception. But a lie is never good, even though death threaten on the other side! Dost thou not see what i would say? That old man! the physician! he whom they call Roger Chillingworth! he was my husband!"(177)

This was by far the most important line in the reading. This is when Hester finally tells her lover, Dimmesdale about the true identity of Roger. This affects the decisions of all three of the main characters, Hester, Roger and Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale's immediate reaction to this is, "Woman, woman, thou art accountable for this! I cannot forgive thee!" (178). Dimmesdale is clearly not happy but that raises a few questions. Why is he so angry at Hester? How could he be made at her for keeping something from him when he still hasn't had the balls to tell the whole town that he is the baby daddy? a few lines later, "I do forgive you, Hester" (178). Why did Dimmesdale forgive her so quickly? Was he even mad? Why can't this man make up his mind? Does he actually love Hester? Is Hester still in love with him?

Key Line

My key line from these chapters was "Individuals in private life, meanwhile, had quite forgiven Hester Prynne for her frailty; nay, more, they had begun to look upon the scarlet letter as the token, not of that one sin, for which she had borne so long and dreary penance, but of her many good deeds since."(147)

Despite reading 4 chapters this weekend i decided that this line was one of the most important regarding the type of people and society that Pearl and Hester live in. This line proved that despite some of the community being judgemental and unforgiving that some people have forgiven Hester for her one sin. It also shows that Hester has done more right than wrong in her life which in Gods eyes makes her forgive. However this line brings up many questions for me. Do the people who have forgiven her not speak out because they are afraid of being judged themselves? Does this make Dimmesdale and the other leaders of the town worse sinners than Hester? Is the reason that Dimmesdale cuts himself and is so weak is because he has realized that if he had spoken out sooner about his relationship would have the people forgiven him sooner? Or does he realize that now people have some what forgiven Hester and he may get a lesser punishment than Hester?

The Minister's Vigil

"She silently ascended the steps, and stood on the platform, holding little Pearl by the hand. The minister felt for the child's other hand, and took it. The moment that he did so, there came what seemed a tumultuous rush of new life, other life than his own, pouring like a torrent into his heart, and hurrying through all his veins, so if the mother and the child were communicating their vital warmth to his half-torpid system. The three formed an electric chain."

I found this line to be important because it is the first time that we are seeing Hester, Dimmsdale and Pearl all together. It stood out to me because when they were all standing up there on the platform it said that Dimmsdale felt that Hester and Pearl were making him feel alive again, so maybe his sickness is more guilt than anything else. At this point I was also wondering a few things. I'm not sure if they have already told us in the story, but does Pearl knows that Dimmsdale is her father or does she still not know?  Also what made Hester want to go up onto the platform with Dimmsdale? Was it to benefit herself too in some way or was it just for him?

Venerable

Venerable: He is a venerable father in the church.

the Interior of a Heart

I don't know who is really supposed to be blogging tonight, so I really wouldn't be offended if not everyone commented/this is super late again...


"There were others, again, true saintly fathers, whose faculties had been elaborated by weary toil among their books, and by patient thought, and etherealized, moreover, by spiritual communications with the better world, into which their purity of life had almost introduced these holy personages, with their garments of morality still clinging to them" (128).  I just found this interesting because of the fact that the word faculties came up again.

"It was his genuine impulse to adore the truth, and to reckon all things shadow-like, and utterly devoid of weight or value, that had not its divine essence as the life within their life.  Then, what was he? - a substance? - or the dimmest of all shadows?  He longed to speak out, from his own pulpit, at the full height of his voice, and tell the people what he was" (129).  I found this interesting, but also a little bit confusing.  I find it interesting, yet sad how conflicted Mr. Dimmesdale is, part of him wanting to come clean, another part wanting to cover himself and tell no one at all.  I just don't get why he doesn't come out and tell everyone the truth.  It seems to have gotten to the point where this secret is just eating him from the inside out, yet he still won't come clean.  Is there a reason for this that I missed or is everyone else wondering this too?

Imperious

Dwight Schrute is imperious as he gives himself titles such as "Assistant Regional Manager" and tries to boss around his co-workers

Ignominous

The boy's ignominious exposure was a result of the girl pointing and laughing at him. (Page 106)

Pearl = Scarlet Figure

"The Governor, in advance of his visitors, ascended one or two steps, and, throwing open the leaves of the great hall-window, found himself close to little Pearl... 'What have we here?' said Governor Bellingham, looking with surprise at the scarlet little figure before him" (98, in The Elf-Child and the Minister).  I found this line very interesting and almost suspenseful, because at first I had no idea what the phrase "scarlet little figure before him" was referring to.  At first, I thought it was just going to be Hester's scarlet letter, just laying alone on the floor.  When the paragraph continues and reveals that the "scarlet little figure" is referring to Pearl, and how red her face gets when she is most likely just blushing.  I thought the choice of words was just interesting, how the whole book is about Hester and the scarlet letter, and the Governor happens to describe Pearl as scarlet, the same as her mother's letter.  Does the Governor do this on purpose, in a way shunning Pearl because he actually knows who she is and is saying she is scarlet, saying how she is in a way, another scarlet letter that Hester must carry with her at all times?

My Area of interest was with the appearance of our characters and how they are looked at by their peers. The superior peers of the town change their minds about the Pearl and "the Leech". In the beginning, the elders were close to separating Pearl and Hester but by the end of the chapter they say, "Even thus early had the child saved her from Satan's snare" (105). People look down on Pearl in the beginning but can so easily change their minds about her as well. The town does the same with Chillingworth. At the beginning when he shows up to town, people value the foreign doctors opinion bur by the end of the chapter people are calling Chillingworth Satan himself. "To sum up the matter... Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, like many other personages.... was haunted either by Satan himself, or SAtan's emissary, in the guise of old Roger Chillingworth" (115) The peers in the town changed their opinions very fast about Pearl and Chillingworth so what interests me is if they are going to find out the connection between Hester Prynne, Pearl, and Chillingworth (Mr. Prynne). If they do what will the consequences be? They have already changed their opinion of that family so many times, what will happen if they find out the truth?  

Hester's Shame

"She could no longer brow from the future, to help her through the present grief. To-morrow would bring its own trial with it; so would the next day, and so would the next; each its own trial" (71). This quote caught my attention when reading because it showed how Hester felt miserable and believed that the rest of her life was going to worse and that each day would be filled with a different grief. Although Hester still had her new born child, it seemed of little reassurance to Hester that she still had someone close to her who she could love. Hester also feels incredibly isolated and alone with no one to understand her.  

VAP word: Sojourn (pg.56)

Late at night she sojourned to a nearby hotel for she was getting tired after driving for so long.