"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?
The English Dork Club: A real-time ongoing conversation for Readers, Writers, Thinkers, and Discussers in English 4
I agree that this line is really important, but I have a few of the same questions that you do. Did Pearl know that Dimmesdale was her father? If not, how was she so open to this man taking her hand and standing with her? To answer your question about whether standing on the platform benefitted Dimmesdale or Hester, I don't think it necessarily benefitted anyone. I think it definitely provided a sense of security for Dimmesdale especially, because it showed him that even if he ended up alone, and the townspeople shunned him, then he would still have someone there for him (Pearl and Hester). I don't think it really benefitted Hester, because she has been thriving without Dimmesdale, and spent all that time refusing to out him.
ReplyDeleteI also had some of the same questions you had. The first appearance of all three of them on the scaffold is a very important scene in the book because it represents that they are all connected and are like a family. if his sickness is guilt more than anything then do you think that it is possible for this guilt to be removed? It is ironic that the 3 sinners in the town are physically above everyone else on the scaffold. It is as if they are being looked up to by all the town people even though they are sinners. Maybe they think that god purposely caused this situation to prove a point about self blame and you being your own harshest critic.
ReplyDeleteI also thought this line was really important. Going off of what Matt said about it being ironic that while they are on the scaffold, they are at a higher state than everyone else. I think it represents that they are the most courages. Yes, Hester may not have a choice, and neither does Pearl, but people should be looking up to them because of their bravery. In that community, standing up their is one of the hardest things to do and everyone else in society hides behind Hester's shame so they don't have to face their own. This also connects back to how Dimmesdale stands above the scaffold. The townspeople see him asa godly figure, but really, I believe they should be looking down upon him. He is not owning up to being the father of Pearl and that is not something he is proud of.
ReplyDeleteI was also confused by why Hester and Pearl went onto the scaffold with Dimmesdale, if it was either for her own benefit to get closure and talk to Dimmesdale privately about what they had done. Although the other possibility I felt why Hester went onto the Scaffold when she saw Dimmesdale was because she had feelings for him and was proud that he was finally able to come out with his guilt and admit what he had do, even though it was at night.
ReplyDeleteAn ELECTRIC CHAIN!
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