The Scarlet Letter- a Classic?

The Scarlet Letter is a definitive classic novel. The story is so impressive in many ways. Although a certain English teacher made it the book of choice to read over a semester where she discussed classic novels, a conclusion will not just be drawn from that evidence alone (although it very likely could be). The novel portrays certain problems that exist in the world today. Because some of the events are relatable to real life stories for some people, it makes the book more lasting than thoise which do not have exciting/relatable themes.

In the novel, a woman named Hester Prynne decides to get with another man because her husband went overseas and did not try to contact her for a few years. As a result, she gives birth to a baby girl in wedlock. The town knows her husband is not present, and decides to punish her for it. Besides being locked up in prison for her "adulterous acts," she has to wear a life-long symbol of shame. She must wear a Scarlet "A" on her dress for life, so others know that (and are weary) she is an adulterer. The novel ends with Hester escaping, but returning to Boston to wear her "A". No one quite knows why, but she dies and is buried next to her mister (mistress).

The theme that reoccurs in this book is adultery. It's not talked about a lot ins coiety today. However, it happens often. There are certainly studies that show a large percentage of both men and women have cheated on their spouses. However, the consequences for such actions are not the same, at elast certainly not in America.

Here in America, promiscuity is also popular (at least in the "limelight".) However, there are certain ways in which the shame factor is associated in today's world much like it was in Boston in the story's time setting. Today, adulterers are often known of by word of mouth, and the shame they share is of their (former) family and friends. Most adulterers are put to this type of shame, although some are given another chance. It's rare to se someone not face moral or social consequences from society for these actions (unless they are a celebrity who feeds off of that kind of publicity). The difference between punishments is quite substantial though, in that there is certainly no jail time for this social crime in America.

This book helps historically archive what adultery once meant, and how even in somewhat honest circumstances, it was always a serious offense. It helps people today to remember how it was frowned upon, and how it still should be seen as (a bad act.) America could use a refresher on moral values, and the idea that this book presents is one that is relevant to society today. It is for these exact reasons that "The Scarlet Letter" is indeed a classic novel.

8th Quote- Blog Analysis

A quote on page 145 of "The Scarlet Letter," is one that provides tremendous insight into an akward situation for a parent. The quote on this page, by Pearl, reads, "What does this letter mean, mother? and why dost thou wear it? and why does the minister keep his hand over his heart?" This quote shows an interesting situation in which Hester is being pummeled intoa situation of discomfor, where she doesn't really want to tell her daughter why it is that she has to wear the horrib letter. She doesn't want her to think any less of her than she does already. However, it is quite curious that Pearl is asking ehr mother all fo these questions. It is inferred that she already knows what the letter represents, and that she just wants her mother to be shameful. It's as if she is feeding off of her mother's woes and depression to satisfy her own happiness. It really does seem quite odd, but the daughter is envisioned as having black eyes, adn being somewhat evil. So, in reality, it's believable that a child with that description could actually be trying to torment her own mother. In today's society, there are teenage arguments with parents. Although that is a someone common occurance today, the type of insult and maliciousness of Pearl's somewhat rhetorical questions is a much less common occurance. Children don't normally psychologically abuse their parents, but it seems that Pearl has done so to her mother, Hester.

7th Blog- Quote Analysis

A quote on page 196 of "The Scarlet letter" provides insight into how the character's feel. The quote, by the minister, reads, "May God forgive thee! Thou, too, hast deeply sinned!" This quote is very significant in that the man screaming for forgiveness in sucha way is a teacher and strong servant of the Lord, a minister. It's almost shocking to learn that someone who has so much religious influence in the community has not follwed what he had preached for years. it's relatable to a prisoner and a prison guard, in which the prison guard has a warrant for arrest. In this case, the prison guard is no better than the prisoner. However, appearance at that time kept the two from falling into the same moral category. The fact that the minister has come clean with God is a relief to him. Shortly after this scene, he tells Pearl that he is her father. They exchange kisses, but she secretly despises Hester for a while afterwards. In many ways, this quote is that of a hypocrite. In already saying that he didn't follow what he taught, it shows the minister to be hypocritical. This, in turn, makes him less influential in the community and certainly less-respected. The only thing the minister has to fall back on after this scene is that God is merciful. he repeats it to himself a few times, maybe out of worry, Either way, it's safe to say the minister had a large moment of weakness.

6th Quote- Analysis

A quote on page 186 of "The Scarlet Letter," is significant in relaying facts to the audience. The quote, by Pearl, asks, " Mother, was that the same minister who kissed me by the brook?" This quote is significant in telling the audience that Pearl does not know who this man is, when he is, in reality, her father. It is also a good job of foreshadowing by the author, because I don't think the audience quite knew at this point who the man was themselves. It shows the willingness of the mother to keep it a secret from Pearl, in everyone's best interest. Pearl shouldn't have to worry about who her father is. The minister doesn't need to be shamed as well for what he and Hester did. It seems the two ahd the agreement that they both do not need to be miserable, and if one can take the fall for both, then so be it. Hester is selfless in doing so, and it shows a great deal of character on her part (regardless of what the public perceives her character to be like). This quote is interesting in relativity to the world today. I have heard stories of mothers taking their children to say hello to a man before and not telling them it was their father. Sometimes fathers who run away re-instert themselves into their children's lives only to get close to them without them knowing who they really are. I think this is a defining moment in Pearl's life. Later on, the parents usually tell their children who that really was, and sometimes they snap back with anger (much like Pearl does later in the story).

5th Blog- Quote Analysis

In the book The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, a particular quote caught my eye. On page 160 of the book, this quote was found: "The stigma gone, hester heaved a long, deep sigh, in which the burden of shame and anguish departed from her spirit." This quote is so significant to everything she's going through. It is referring to her Scarlet Letter leaving her dress. As it falls, everything she has felt in the last few years (shame, guilt, angusih) also lie there with it. She hopes to leave it there, never to see it again (although her daugter Pearl won't have any of it). It represents a moment of peace and freedom for the woman that just wanted to be accepted. It seems unfair that she was put int he position she was put in, so this moment where she sighs of relief makes the audience react in sucha way that they almost sigh with her. The stigma from the quote is obviously referring to the Scarlet Letter that was stitched onto her dress. The uniqueness of this quote is partially the emphasis on the sigh. She did not just let otu any sigh, but it was a "long, deep sigh." There is a quite a difference between the two. The other significant part of this quote is where the shame and anguish depart from. The soul is an extremely "powerful" part fo the body for most believers (of anything to do with soul). Using the word soul, to have the bad depart from, means that she is altogether better for eternity because of what she has done. The moment she left that letter on the ground, she was cleared and free from the sinful nature society has to see in her. The soul is arguably the strongest (and most effective when writing) part of the body. This quote really has an impact on the reader's vision of the scene.

Blog Post Response to a Quote #2

A quote on page 83 of The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, reads, "The discipline of the family, in those days, was of a far more rigid kind than now." This quote alludes to harshness of punishment within the family, and it also compares the norm of that time period to the norm of the author's.

Hester Prynne's daughter, pearl, is described as being somewhat disobedient, so this quote appropriately ties in to the story. However, a layer of complexity is added when one considers that Hester herself is being disciplined by a higher authority at the same time she might be trying to discipline her child. This may not bode well with regards to controlling the child's behavior.

This quote helps describe how beatings were common back in the day, though not severe ones. It is almost contradictory, however, that hester may have sufferred beatings herself as a grown woman and an adulter, while her somewhat disobedient child may have to suffer the same from a "criminal."

In time, it is almost certain that Pearl would lose all respect for her mother based on her crime and what other people say about her. She will want to disobey her orders and separate herself from even being associated with Hester. She is probably ashamed of her heritage, and for this reason she will likely defy her mother with hopes that one day she can be considered socially normal. In this case, the want to be accepted by society may very well outweight the bond between a mother and her child.

Blog Quote Response #1

A quote from page 74 of The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, says," She could no longer borrow from the future, to help her through the present grief. This quote tells so much about the main character, Hester's, situation. It is describing the fact that there is no hope for a better tomorrow than there is of today. Things were only getting worse for her, and in turn, she may even lose her child.

Even though Hester had the chance to leave the city, she didn't. She stayed there to face the agony of being taunted by the public for her scarlet letter everyday. This quote shows that she is never going to have a better future, but in fact, a seemingly worse one. Everyday, Hester passes a new group of people in the streets who will see her and potentially make fun of her. So, in turn, everyday more and more people recognize Hester and resent her for her actions. More and more people hate and taunt her everyday, and some wish she just wouldn't exist at all. Before everyone recognized her, I'm sure life was easier. However, not that more and more people know who she is and what she has done, thanks to the letter on her clothing, she can no longer look to the future to help her through her grief. The future is most likely more scary than it is helpful with regards to her situation. In conclusion, this quote recognizes the grief that Hester faces at the present time, but it also makes the reader aware that her situation/condition in society will most likely never improve, but will likely deteriorate.