At the beginning of the novel, it begins to set the scene with regards to the relatively new colony. 'Have invariably recognized it among their earliest practical necessities to allot a portion of the virgin soil as a cemetery, and another portion as the site of a prison' (Hawthorne 45) This part meant to me that this new town isn't going to be all sunshine and rainbows, but there will be a lot of sin and crimes. The area near the jail cell looks very angry, and the jail seems to hold very dangerous people. The only slight thing of happiness here is the rose bush. I am happy that the rose bush is present because it shows me that there is a glimmer of hope for this dreadful town.
What brought shock upon me was to see that Hester Prynne has committed adultery and people now want her to be hurt and even killed! Why are the women not sticking up for Hester? The way they are treating her is deplorable! A female in the book quoted 'This women has brought shame upon as all, and ought to die.' (Hawthorne 49) In my eyes, I feel that women of today would want to stick up for each other unlike back when this story took place. Feminism has greatly grown in the last few decades, and if this story took place today things would be completely different. I feel that the women are jealous of all the attention she is getting because 'she is tall with a figure of perfect elegance on a large scale.' (Hawthorne 51)
I find it crazy that she now has a scarlet letter embroidered onto her shirt. This is a symbol that will show that they are trying to torture Hester with humiliation by leaving this 'A' on her forever. Also, at the event where she was shown on the scaffold for hours; I was very curious to whom the man watching her might have been. It first occurred to me that it might be the father of the new baby, but no it was her husband! A quote to go into this more that he knew her more personally would be 'His face darkened with some powerful emotion, which, nevertheless, he so instantaneously controlled by an effort of his will.' ( Hawthorne 58) I wonder if since this is her husband, what outcomes will occur with him and Hester by the end of the novel?
One last thing I want to go into was when Hester was in jail , a physician approached her. This man we can conclude is actually her husband. At first, he wanted her to die, but then he has chosen to let her live! 'Live, therefore, and bear about thy doom with thee, in the eyes of man and women-in the eyes of him whom thou didst call thy husband.' (Hawthorne 71) He is trying to tell her that she will now only live in despair with these people and never really see any happiness with them again!
8 comments:
I liked the idea of the rosebush too, I feel like it's really significant to the story. I like that you brought up the women not defending her. I really agree that these women should be defending her more than anything, especially because she's so much younger than all of them. I feel they should understand better you know? When you're a teenager you're impulsive. I mean she kind of went to the extreme and had a baby but I don't think death was the right punishment. They did seem jealous in some weird way. I thought Chillingsworth was the baby's father too, but then I figured it wasn't when they describe the way he reacted. It says his face showed horror and a powerful emotion. I think the powerful emotion was probably him getting angry and starting to want revenge. I feel if he had been the father he should have had guilt on his face or something.
Vicky, I was also shocked to know that Hester Prime committed adultery as well. My first thought was why did she feel the need to cheat on her husband.I didn't like the way the crowd reacted. Why are they so focused on her sins when they should be focused on their own. This story somewhat can relate to The Ministers Black Veil.
Great start! I think you make some really interesting comments and personal connections. Keep it up!
Yeah I totally agree with how chapter one sets the whole scenery for the novel. The town from Hawthorne's description isn't and ideal place, but instead "hell on earth." This makes me feel angry because they have no right to judge someone. They were judged back home in England which is why they came to the New World(to steer clear of religious persecution).
Ooh! I agree with your thoughts that the town isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. Those darn Puritans! XD
I also see that you noticed that the ladies of the town pointed out Hester’s crime more so than the men, and I also like how you stated that feminism has come a long way since then, which is pretty cool! :D
My opinions on Hester’s crime can be seen on my bloge. :3
Good job, dood!
Vicky the feminist! I agree that it's totally horrible that the other women of the colony did not stand up for Hester/defend her. You made some good points as well and seem to be connecting with the story which is something that I can always appreciate. You're already doing a great job.
I liked the tone of your post a lot. What was the most interesting to me about your post was how u made the point of how the women weren't standing up for Hester; some of them even wanted her dead. Great job :)
Good comments.
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