|
|
Post by 14elesvik on Dec 2, 2012 11:31:42 GMT -5
I don't know if anyone else noticed, but the narrator never directly mentioned adultery. The narrator only implied it with Pearl, etc. Does this mean something?
|
|
|
|
Post by sophiapa116 on Dec 2, 2012 12:17:58 GMT -5
As we discussed in class, we can only make speculations about Hester's sin. Rather, what Hester believes her sin to be. Hawthorne does not directly mention adultery because that is only one of the possibilities of her sin. It could also be sex out of wedlock or concealment. Even by the end of the novel, I don't think we will know what Hester believes her sin to be. We just have to draw our own conclusions.
|
|
|
|
Post by sophiago116 on Dec 5, 2012 19:49:01 GMT -5
Like what Sophia said, I think it is up for the reader's interpretation because Mr. Cheddar said that it could be an essay topic.
|
|
|
|
Post by 14elesvik on Dec 8, 2012 15:04:52 GMT -5
OK, so possible sins are:
1. Adultery (unlikely, but would fit the conforming-to-Puritans trend)
2. Concealing Dimmesdale from Chillingworth (evidence: Hester feeling better/becoming beautiful after telling D, also, Hester only really became miserable after Chillingworth made her promise)
3. Marrying Chillingworth (the narrator would said such a marriage was unnatural, not only due to the age difference, but b/c it lacked passion, this would fit 'cause Hester, at least was, a Romantic; Hester freaked out when she saw Chillingworth, as seen when she re-entered the prison)
|
|
|
|
Post by sophiapa116 on Dec 9, 2012 17:35:11 GMT -5
I guess concealing Dimmesdale from Chillingworth could be a possible sin, but is there any texual evidence of that? What is your reasoning behind that perceived sin? Personally, after analyzing the novel, I believe Hester deems her sin to be the concealment of Chillingworth from Dimmesdale. It seems the most probable, given the drastic changes in Hester after she tells Dimmesdale his true identity. She rips the A from her chest and immediately becomes more beautiful, as she is purged of her perceived sin. Also, Hester informs Pearl "Once in my life, I met the Black Man...this scarlet letter is his mark." Given that the Black Man can be interpreted as both the Devil and Chillingworth, the A (her perceived sin) must be Chillingworth's mark.
|
|
|
|
Post by 14elesvik on Dec 11, 2012 21:16:31 GMT -5
Oh, my bad....I meant to say concealing Chillingworth from Dimmesdale...
|
|
|
|
Post by leiade116 on Dec 13, 2012 16:35:43 GMT -5
I agree with Sophia, Hester believes her sin is hiding who the true father of Pearl is. The narrator kind of directs us toward this conclusion, based on Hester's actions after she tells the truth. Hester does not feel any relief after people have found out about her adultery, but she does feel relief when she is truthful about who she committed the adultery with.
|
|
