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This is a place for us to discuss openly and honestly the literature we are reading. Here we are all just communicating our thoughts on what we are reading. There are no right and wrong answers. However, you are expected to be polite, mature, and on topic.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Puritan Alphabet Soup

We all know what the "A" on Hester's chest symbolizes. However, the characters of the novel have many facets. What letter should Dimmesdale wear and why? What letter should Chillingworth wear and why? What letter should Hester truly wear and why? (The deadline to post a comment to this blog question is midnight Friday, November 12, 2010)

2 comments:

Rachel D. said...

Even though I do not think that a person should be defined by a letter, I believe Dimmesdale should wear "C" for coward because he is wallowing in self-pity rather than taking a stand and doing what is right for the well-being of his child. On the other hand, Chillingworth should wear the letter "H" for the hate that envelops his sould. Chillingworth has become a physically and mentally hateful person; his eyes are red and his heart has become hardened. The only thing that Chillingworth seeks is "justice", which entails a story of hate not only for Hester and Dimmesdale but also for himself. Lastly, I believe Hester should wear the letter "T" for teacher. Hester has become the prime example of not only sin but also an examply of how to cope with sin like that of a true Christian woman. She holds no hate in her heart for the mistreatment which has been bestowed unto her. She may have faults but who is perfect? Hester Prynne is the perfect example of learning from mistakes and trying to make the best of the situation by never truly giving up hope that one day things will be better.

Unknown said...

While each character in the novel is complex and can not be done justice with a single title, they each personify a consequence of sin. Dimmesdale would best be represented with a "C" for coward. While Dimmesdale knows that he has committed a sin and is remorseful for it, he can not openly admit it to the public. He only shows affection and kindness to Pearl or Hester by cover of nightfall. To see Hester be made an example of every day without taking responsibility for the same sin shows that Dimmesdale is truly a coward. Chillingworth, however, is much more evil than Dimmesdale and should be represented with an "R" for revenge. Revenge would best represent Chilingworth because it fuels every single one of his actions in the novel. He is absorbed with finding out who Hester has committed adultery with so that he can get his revenge against him. This even changes Chillingworth's character from a great, intellectual figure into a monstrous, dark man. Finally, Hester should be marked with an "M" for martyr. While in the Puritan religion Hester and Dimmesdale's act was a sin, she did not believe it to be so. She is a martyr in that she stuck by what she believed even if it meant being shunned from the entire community and being branded for the rest of her life. It caused a figurative death in Hester's spirit to deal with these consequences. However, despite this treatment she never betrays herself, Dimmesdale, or her letter to the public.

-Blakeney M.