Group+One

Members: Mike Johansen, Matt Pearson, Mike Arigot, and Brett Lewbel

Chapters 1-3
Mike J: Imagery & Symbolism Chapters 1-3: Imagery & Symbolism Through the first few chapters, one of the examples of symbolism is the rosebush at the prison door. In the beginning of the novel, there is a dreary setting except for the rosebush by the prison door. So far the only symbolic message that comes from the rosebush is the transcendental idea of people connecting with nature, and how nature shows relief and sympathy to the people in jail that are experiencing trouble and sadness. Another example of symbolism is that of “Divine Maternity”, and this example obviously refers to the Virgin Mary, who gave birth to Jesus. The Virgin Mary was seen as never committing sin, while Hester is seen as the devil for committing adultery and having a child, which is ironic. In the first few chapters of the book, there are many pictures created through the use of imagery. One of the first images is the depiction of the angry crowd that wants to punish Hester severely for what she has done. The way it is described creates an ominous image. The prison and especially the prison door is described as dreary place, and the Puritans realize that even in their Utopian society that sin and crime is inevitable. The scarlet letter that Hester has to wear on her shirt is described as the letter “A” that is stitched in gold and scarlet, and it stands for the word “Adulterer”. This shirt is supposed to create shame upon Hester and make her feel embarrassed, however she does not feel this shame.

Matt: Character Behavior

I for one, found the way the group of women overlooking the public embarrassment behaved unbelievably frightening and foreshadowing. I think the foreshadowing aspect falls in the category of mob-mentality... which is quite a frightening thing. It's possible, based on the narrow-minded psyches the women are displaying, that they will develop a crazed aggressive mob-mentality and violent attitude toward their heinous "adulterer". On the other hand, our "rose bush in the prison cell", (Hester) displays some of the most admirable psychological and character traits one can have. She has a certain arrogance and pride and sense of self worth that i wish i had myself. Under complete public shame and shun she manages to keep her pride when no one else will give her an ounce of respect. The whole town hates her, but she still loves herself and her child. I think she's able to do this largely through an overdeveloped sense of morality. She refuses to conform to the public or common beliefs on morals, and sticks by hers and her beliefs on what's right and what's wrong.

Brett: Interesting Passages
 * 1) The rust on the ponderous iron-work of its oaken door looked more antique than any thing else in the new world. Like all that pertains to crime, it seemed never to have known a youthful era. Before this ugly edifice, and between it and the wheel-track of the street, was a grass-plot, much overgrown with burdock, pig-weed, apple-peru, and such unsightly vegetation, which evidently found something congenial in the soil that had so early borne the black flower of civilized society, a prison. But, on one side of the portal, and rooted almost at the threshold, was a wild rose-bush, covered, in this month of June, with its delicate gems, which might be imagined to offer their fragrance and fragile beauty to the prisoner as he went in, and to the condemned criminal as he came forth to his doom, in token that the deep heart of Nature could pity and be kind to him. (from Chapter one)

Had there been a Papist among the crowd of Puritans, he might have seen in this beautiful woman... Divine Maternity, which so many illustrious painters have vied with one another to represent; something which should remind him, indeed, but only by contrast, of that sacred image of sinless motherhood, whose infant was to redeem the world. Here, there was the taint of deepest sin in the most sacred quality of human life, working such effect, that the world was only the darker for this woman’s beauty, and the more lost for the infant that she had borne. (from Chapter two): Brett

Mike A: Questions & Predictions
 * 1) The father of Hester's baby is a Native American. This explains her vehement silence because the Puritans abhor anyone who is not of their religion, especially Native Americans. In their view, it is deplorable enough that Hester committed adultery, but at least they can say it was with another Puritan. However, if it turns out that the father is a Native American, the Puritans will view this as a "double whammy" sin; illegal birth AND with someone who is not even a Puritan. (Brett)
 * 2) Hester's baby will be labeled and possibly and burned as a witch, for her "devilish" behavior in public (throwing stones at anyone who makes fun of her/her mom)

Chapters 4-10
The "Devil Connection" Chillingworth is seen as the devil, Pearl is seen as demonic, and Hester's actions are viewed a sinful. If Chillingworth has truly found the father of Pearl, perhaps he can transfer his supposed evil and public damnation to Dimmesdale. Therefore, his actions are purely selfish and Hester and Pearl will be left in the horrific limelight. (brett)

Passages: Although not religious by nature, Roger Chillingworth chooses the Reverend Mr. Dimmesdale as his spiritual advisor, a choice designed to raise the reader’s curiosity. Dimmesdale’s humility and his many fasts and vigils have impressed the townspeople with his holiness, but they fear that his deteriorating physical condition has brought him close to death. The elders persuade him to seek the advice of the learned doctor. Though Dimmesdale says he prefers death to Chillingworth’s medicines, he and the doctor spend long hours together talking about many subjects. To allow him to “help” the minister even more, Chillingworth arranges that the two of them should live together in separate apartments at the home of a widow.

Mike Johansen: Chapter 7-10-Predictions and Questions

Predictions - At the end of chapter 10, Chillingworth lifts up Dimmesdale shirt when he is sleeping and then he gets excited at what he sees. However, the reader is not told what Chillingworth has found. My prediction is that Chillingworth has diagnosed the health problem that Dimmesdale had, and he was lifting up his shirt to see if his diagnosis was correct. Based on his reaction, I believe that Chillingworth has found the health condition that Dimmesdale has and now he can cure him. - The townspeople now see Chillingworth as the Devil because rumors have spread about his personal history. In addition, Chillingworth’s face has the look of evil. They feel that Chillingworth has come to live in the town so he can take Dimmesdale soul. My prediction is that the townspeople will become more suspicious throughout the next few chapters, and the townspeople will link that Hester, and Chillingworth have a personal relationship. Since Pearl is seen as demon-like and her mother is seen as an adulterer, and Chillingworth is now seen as the Devil, the townspeople might make the connection that they are related.

Questions - The townspeople see Chillingworth as the Devil now, will they try to take action, and if so what will they do? - What has Chillingworth found under Dimmesdale shirt to make him so excited?

My prediction is that Chillingworth has found something on Dimmesdale's Chest that can link him to Hester and Pearl (e.g. "H and D Forever"). His happy reactions is because he has finally found Dimmesdale's secret and the father of Pearl. (brett)

Mike A: Character Behavior


 * __Hester__** - she is utilizing her skill of making beautiful clothes. She dresses Pearl in beautiful dresses and even though the clothes she makes is beautiful many of the townspeople won't buy any because they were made by her. While delivering some gloves she made for the governor she begs Bellingham for custody of Pearl, she heard that they were going to take Pearl away from her. While on her way back home with Pearl talks with Bellingham's sister, Mistress Hibbins, who asks Hester if she would like to like to attend a witch meeting. Hester refuses but says that she would if it were not for Pearl, if the governor took her daughter away she would gladly join the cult.


 * __Pearl__** - she is not like the other children. Pearl enjoys solitude and does not play with the other children. She often throws small stones at them and yells at them. The townspeople do not like her either, they believe that she is a devil child and that she should be taken away from Hester. Another really strange thing Pearl does is deny God. When asked who made her she said that she was not made, but that she was plucked off the bush of wild roses that grew by the prison door.

__**Roger Chillingworth**__ - he becomes a "leech", he realizes by Dimmesdale's body language that he is hiding something and he spends two chapters trying to figure out what it is. Also, he finds something strange on Dimmesdale's chest.


 * __Dimmesdale__** - he is physically deteriorating and this causes his emotional distress (which Chillingworth quickly picks up on). He is hiding something from the townspeople and he is trying to live up to his reputation of the holy man of the town.


 * __Bellingham__** - governor, wants to take Pearl away from Hester but does not.


 * __Mistress Hibbins__** - Bellingham's sister, witch, tries to get Hester to attend a witch meeting.

Chapters 11-13
Page 271. Question 16. A: I think Dimmesdale's vigil is at night because he feels that his sin of impregnating Hester is far worse than Hester's sin of allowing herself to be impregnated. Hester's vigil was in daylight because she, objectively, is less of a guilty party than Dimmesdale. (Brett)

B: I believe that Hawthorne's reference to light tend to create emphasis on the situation.It really shows the contrast between light and dark. For example, "It was an obscure night of early May. An unvaried pall of cloud muffled the whole expanse of sky from zenith to horizon. If the same multitude which had stood as eyewitnesses while Hester Prynne sustained her punishment could now have been summoned forth, they would have discerned no face above the platform, nor hardly the outline of a human shape, in the dark gray of the midnight" (Hawthorne 128). Hawthorne uses dark language to put on emphasis on the darkness of Dimmesdale's sin. (Mike J)

C: The sound plays a very important role in this scene. The movements are slowed down, which puts on emphasis on time passing by slowly. The time passing by slowly worries Dimmesdale because he knows that as times goes by people will eventually find out his awful sin. Example of this sounds include the closing of the Bible, and the rattling of the chains. These actions can show that Dimmesdale is fearful, and worrying that people are going to find out about his dark sins. (Mike J)

D: an unvaried pall of muffled cloud...sky...zenith to horizon. multitude from the people who watched Hester sustain her vigil. but the night is dark (Brett)

E: Hawthorne uses the images of sight, sound, and feeling to emphasize the importance of this scene in the story. Dimmesdale is finally publicly admitting his sin (even though not in front of the town because it is the middle of the night). Also, the fact that this event happened at night when people tend to hide from the rest of the world, shows that he is trying to confess he is still hiding. (Mike A)

F: The metaphor can be interpreted that Dimmesdale is guilty for the sin he has commited and he feels relieved when he is holding hands with Pearl and Hester, who were publicly shamed at this exact spot (Mike J)


 * Chapters 14-16**
 * Questions: (Brett)**
 * 1) **How do you think Chillingworth's thirst for vengeance will effect Pearl? Will Pearl grow up knowing what Hester's husband did?**
 * 2) Does Dimmesdales's increasingly weakened state serve as a symbol for the difficulty of keeping his secret? How do you think so?
 * 3) Is Hester right to avoid Pearl's constant inquiries about the scarlet letter and why?
 * 4) Will Hester ever tell Pearl about the scarlet letter? Will Chillingworth?

//"It lies not in the pleasure of the magistrates to take off this badge....Were I worthy to be quit of it, it would fall away of its own nature, or be transformed into something that should speak a different purport."// (Hawthorne 147-148).
 * Interesting Passages (Mike J)**

-This quote is significant because Hester is saying that when the badge is ready to fall off, it will fall off on its own.

//"'I have already told thee what I am! Fiend! Who made me so?’’'It was myself!' cried Hester, shuddering. 'It was I, not less than he. Why has thou not avenged thyself on me?' 'I have left thee to the scarlet letter,' replied Roger Chillingworth. 'If that have not avenged me, I can do no more!' He laid his finger on it, with a smile. 'It has avenged thee!' answered Hester Prynne."// (Hawthorne 149).

- Hester tells Chillingworth that the letter cannot be removed by human authority, it can only be removed by Divine providence. Hester then goes on to say to Chillingworth that she feels it is time to tell the minister about Chillingworth’s identity. It then becomes quite clear that Chillingworth now knows that Dimmesdale had the baby with Hester. A change comes across Chillingworth's face, and it shows he wants revenge, and he will get even with Dimmesdale.

//"'Mother,' said litter Pearl, 'the sunshine does not love you. It runs away and hides itself, because it is afraid of something on your bosom. Now see! There it is, playing a good way off. Stand you here, and let me run and catch it. I am but a child. It will not flee from me, for I wear nothing on my bosom yet!' 'Nor ever will, my child, I hope,' said Hester. 'And why not, mother?' asked Pearl, stopping short, just at the beginning of her race. 'Will not it come of its own accord, when I am a woman grown?' 'Run away, child,' answered her mother, 'and catch the sunshine! It will soon be gone.'"// (Hawthorne 161).

- Pearl says to her mother that the sunshine does not love her because it is afraid of something on her chest. Pearl goes on to say that it cannot runaway from her because she is a child and she does not wear anything on her chest. Basically this quote is saying that, children are not old enough yet to make their own choices and have sin. Adults on the other hand can make their own decisions and can have sin like Hester, who is an adulterer.

It is Chillingworth who has committed the vilest sin, according to Dimmesdale. He has sought continual revenge in a calculated manner; the two lovers, while sinners, did not set out to hurt anyone. (annotations) Basic point of Chapter 17: is revenge worse than adultery? Brett says: Religion has generally frowned upon revenge, professing blind forgiveness in lieu. I feel that revenge, like forgiveness, has its place. Each case where revenge/forgiveness would seem viable options should be examined by a logical, non-religious mind to find the best route. Adultery is wrong but undeserving of the extreme punishment that religion bestows upon it.
 * Chapter 17-21**

Chapter 19 Summary (Brett) While Hester and Dimmesdale wait for Pearl, Dimmesdale dreads her, seeing her as a reminder of his sin. Hester, to the contrary, speaks lovingly of her child. Pearl throws a tantrum when she sees the scarlet letter is no longer on Hester, who then shows Pearl the letter lying beside the stream. Hester reattaches the letter, and Pearl kisses it, much to Hester's chagrin. Pearl reacts cautiously to Dimmesdale and disdainfully washes off his kiss.

Hester: In Chapter 18, Hester finally takes of her scarlet letter, and the behavior and psychology of Hester changes as a result. For example, Hester recovers some of her former beauty, and she starts to smile. In addition, the sunlight, which only targets Pearl now, suddenly brightens the whole forest. Removing the letter, puts Hester in a better mood, she starts to smile, and the light now targets her, which makes her feel good about herself. Hester and Dimmesdale will be moving to Europe to escape persecution of Hester’s past deeds, and Dimmesdale sin.

Dimmesdale: In the beginning of these chapters Dimmesdale is mad that Hester tells him that Chillingworth is her husband. Dimmesdale blames Hester for his health conditions. Dimmesdale eventually forgives her. Dimmesdales behavior changes and now he finds things that were once familiar, including himself, to seem strange. For example, he is a minister and the book says that when he passes by the church elders he feels the urge to yell out unholy and blasphemous statements, this shows how Dimmesdale has changed.

Pearl: Pearl acts differently since Hester has removed the scarlet letter. For example, she refuses to go to her mother because she sees the scarlet letter isn’t there. Pearl realizes that something is going on between Hester and Dimmesdale, and Dimmesdale kisses Pearl on the forehead and she runs to the brook and attempts to wash it off. This shows that Pearl is not ready to accept that Dimmesdale is her father.

Chapter 22-24:
Questions: 1. How do you feel about revenge after reading this book? 2. What is your reaction to this book? 3. Do you see religion in a different light? Why?

Important Passages- Mike J
//"that the awful symbol was the effect of the ever-active tooth of remorse, gnawing from the inmost heart outwardly, and at last manifesting Heaven's dreadful judgment by the visible presence of the letter."// (Hawthorne 228).

This quote talks about Dimmesdale and the basic message is that Dimmesdale was so remorseful for the sin he committed that it had gnawed away from his heart until finally the letter became apparent on his chest. Dimmesdale was extremely remorseful for the sin he had committed, and tried repeatedly to get rid of the guilt, but no matter how hard he tried the guilt was still there.

//"a new grave was delved, near an old and sunken one, in that burial-ground beside which King's Chapel has since been built. It was near that old and sunken grave, yet with a space between, as if the dust of the two sleepers had no right to mingle. Yet one tombstone served for both."// (Hawthorne 233).

In the end Hester ended up getting buried close to Dimmesdale, which is ironic because the adulterers were put together. In Puritan society, adultery is a serious crime so it is odd that they were buried so close together.

//“On A field, sable, the letter A, gules”// (Hawthorne 233).

This is a significant quote because it basically says that shame of the scarlet letter followed Hester through life and even beyond, to the grave.