Group ONE: Chapters 1-7

8/25/2010

1. Describe the attitudes of the Puritan society toward Hester Prynne and Pearl. What were your reactions as you were reading this? Use text examples and page numbers to provide insight.

2.What do you feel is the importance of chapter 5? Why does Hawthorne go into such detail about Hester's needlework? Use text examples and page numbers to provide insights.

3. Explain any character traits you have seen already concerning YOUR character you are to analyze. Use text and page numbers to provide insight. Please respond to others' analysis with thoughts of your own. Add any impressions you have of the characters mentioned.

47 Comments

Thomas Carota

2/12/2011 12:40:39 pm

Question 1

The Puritan town has hate towards Hester and Pearl. For instance, the women of the town believe Hester's punishment is not severe enough, as they believed Hester should have a hot iron branded to her forehead(page 58). Also Hester must stand on platform for the public to see, which is a harsh punishment in my opinion (page 64-65). Pearl is portrayed to be a demon child. She is also shunned and made fun of by the Puritian children (page 107-110). Therefore she is no different from her mother. I believed Hester should have been punished for her actions because she was wrong. Pearl should not be made fun of because of her mother though because she is innocent and she did nothing wrong.

Thomas Carota

2/12/2011 12:45:40 pm

Question 2

I feel that Chapter 5 is important because it shows the importance of Hester Prynne's needlework. In Chapter 5 she is released from prison and decides to stay in Boston in a cabin on the outskirts of town. She has to support her daughter Pearl and herself through her needlework (page 54). Needlework is her skill and everyone admires it.

ryan smith

2/12/2011 01:40:24 pm

reply to thomas; question 1

I agree with Thomas about how Hester should be the only one punished and not Pearl. Hester commited the crime and therefore must suffer the consequences. But the town children were making fun of Pearl and nobody really had any power over it. It wasn't like they were forcing Pearl to suffer the punishments as of an adult. On page 42 it talks about how the towns first thought of punishment to Hester's crime was death but as it reads "but in their great mercy and tenderness of heart they have doomed Mistress Prynne to stand only on a space of three hours on the platform of the pillory",so i believe that the town does have true beliefs and heart to their Puritan status. As i read this, i felt that Pearl was definiately a very poor baby because of her life due to her mother's mistake. so i felt bad for Pearl; but throughout the chapters it talked about how Pearl would jump up and down while throwing flowers at her mother's bosom and everythime she'd hit the scrlet letter she'd cheer. I feel that Pearl will have a positive attitude and input in the story toward her mother and help her mom get through alot. pages 64 and 65

Emily Clark

2/13/2011 04:49:11 am

The Puritans show resentment and feel that Hester has not been punished enough. (pg. 34) ""I'll tell ye a peice of my mind. It would be greatly for the public behoof if we women, being of mature age and church-members in good repute, should have the handling of such malefactresses as this Hester Prynne. What think ye, gossips? If the hussy stood up for judgement before us five, that are now here in a knot together, would she come off with such a sentence as the worshipful magistrates have awarded? Marry, I trow not!"" They women feel that she has been awarded not punished and if they had had a say she would with fo great suffering. (pg.34-35)""This woman has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die.""

Ashley Beckham

2/13/2011 05:05:18 am

Question 1

The Puritan town strongly dislikes Hester Pryne. They are afraid that she is a threat to their Purtitan Society because of the aldutery she has committed. The women of the town would have branded the "A" on her forehaed instead of her bodice had they had the choice (pg. 34). The town also made Hester and Pearl stand on the scaffold for everyone in the town to see (pg. 37-38). Pearl wasn't really liked that much either. Whenever the little Puiritan children gathered around Pearl she would scream and throw rocks at them. When Hester and Pearl would walk the streets people stared at them and "fore scorned them with their hearts and reviled them with therir tongues" ( pg. 62). As I read all of these things i got angry. I dont persionally believe in adlutery but it's Hester's life and no one elses. Plus Hester and the whole town believed Hesters's husband was lost to the Indians(pg. 41). It was her choice and I belive she can choose to live as she wishes. As for Pearl, none of it was her fault. She should be treated just as any other child is treated.

Emily Clark

2/13/2011 05:09:45 am

Question 2

I feel that the importance of Hester's needlework is that it brings back the shock and impact that the scarlet letter surrounded by the gold had on the community. In chapter five it describes the delicacy of Hester's work. She has been released from prison and has decided to move into a small cabin just outside of town. Now she must take care of herself and her daughter Pearl so she begins to sew in order to support them. Although society recognised her talent she still was limited on what she could preform. (pg. 55) "Her needlework was seen on the ruff of the Governor; military men wore it on thier scarfs, and the minister on his band; it decked the baby's little cap; it was shut up to be mildewed and moulder away, in the coffins of the dead. But it is not recorded that, in a single instance, her skill was called in to embroider the white veil which was to cover the pure blushes of a bride. The exception indicated the ever relentless vigor with which society frowned upon her sin."

Thomas Carota

2/13/2011 05:18:13 am

Reply to Emily; Question 1

I agree with you 100% One woman of the Puritan society said Hester should be hung upon the gallows, and another woman also said she should have a hot iron to brand the letter "A" into her forehead. Therefore the women in the Puritan society show Resentment towards Hester Prynne.

Ashley Beckham

2/13/2011 05:20:44 am

Question 2

I believe the imprtance of chapter 5 is to show how strong Hester is despite the way she has been ostracized by the town. The book says, "Lonely as was Hester's sistuation, and without a friend on earth who dared to show himself, she, however,incurred no risk of want. She possessed an art that sufficed, even in a land that afforded comparatively little scope for its exercise, to supply food for her thriving infant and herself." (pg. 54) I think Hawthorne went into such great detail about Hester's needlework to show you that Hester went on with her life. She didn't let her situation drag her down. Even though she felt banished she was still needed by the town to make them garments. (pg. 55-56).

Thomas Carota

2/13/2011 05:22:35 am

Reply to Ashley; Question 1

I also agree with you. The Puritan women do believe that her punishment was not harsh enough. I believe that Hester commited the crime and should be punished for it. But Pearl should not have been treated for that, as she didn't commit any crimes. She was just an innocent child. The way the children in the town treated her was uncalled for. Yes, Hester should be punished for her crimes, but Pearl had nothing to do with her mother's crime.

Ashley Beckham

2/13/2011 05:32:20 am

Reply to Emily; Question 2

I completely agree with what you said about Hester having to sew to support herself and Pearl. Being considered an outcast, it was the only way she had to provide for them. And you're right about the fact that society recognized her talent;that you could find her work on all those important people such as governors and ministers and so forth. "In this matter, Hester Prynne came to have a part to perform in the world." (pg. 56)

Thomas Carota

2/13/2011 05:39:55 am

Reply to Ashley; Question 2

I agree with you that she felt ostricized in the town of Boston. The Puritan town did recognize her talent but didn't speak to her because of the crime she has commited (pg. 54-56) And yes, she also did her needlework because it was the only possible way to provide for her daughter Pearl and herself (pg. 55). She went through tough times but she is surviving despite the crime she has commited

Ashley Beckham

2/13/2011 05:43:22 am

Reply to Thomas; Question 1

I agree with you that the town truely felt hatred toward Hester Prynne. One woman said, "it were well if we stripped Madame Hester's rich gown off her danity shoulders; and as for the red letter which she hath stitched so curiously, I'll bestow a rag of mine own rheumatic to make a fitter one!" (pg. 36) I also believe that Pearl is innocent because she has no control over who her parents are and what they have done.

ryan smith

2/13/2011 08:35:43 am

question 2

I beleive that the importance of chapter 5 is to show how even though the town treated Hester as poorly as they did, she still sew them different things as they asked. This shows how Hester's character really is. On page 55 it describes all the things that Hester sews for other people; " military men wore it on their scarfs, and the minister on his band; it decked the baby's little cap" and also tells how it was used to embroider the white veil to cover the pure blushes of a bride. I believe Hawthorne went into so much detail about Hester's needlework to show how she didn't let the towns people's comments and cruelty bring her down. She went on with her life to help herself and her daughter Pearl. On page 55 it says "Hester sought not to acquire anything beyond a subsistence, of the plainest and most ascetic description, for herself, and a simple abundance for her child." She did this for her daughter. She filled a gap that otherwise would've remained vacant; aslo stated on page 55.

Abbey Byrd

2/13/2011 09:03:33 am

reply to Ashley; Q1

I agree with you. It is Hester's life and if the puritans claim to be such good people then they should help Hester realize the crime she has committed in a positive way and help her be saved from her sin. Instead they are being very harsh to her and her child. Pearl has done nothing and shouldn't be treated differently because of the mistake her mom made.

Abbey Byrd

2/13/2011 09:35:31 am

Question 1

The attitudes of the Puritan society towards Hester Prynne and Pearl were harsh. The puritans said very mean things about Hester when she was going up to stand on the scaffold. one women said "What do we talk of marks or brands, weather on the bodice of the flesh of her forehead". Then another women said " This women has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die". Yes, Hester did comment a crime and should be punished, but being good puritans as they claim they should help her realize her mistake and help her be saved. For Pearl, she is just a innocent child. Kids in the town treated her bad and she hasn't committed a crime. She should not be treated differently because of her moms mistake. Since Pearl has imaginary friends, she sings and dances does not mean she is some kind of demon child. She is just a creative kid who has an imagination.

ryan smith

2/13/2011 09:38:35 am

reply to emily; question 2

I agree 100% with Emily.I feel that the quote that she mentions on page 55 shows how Hester used her needlework to support her and Pearl. The town somewhat recognized her in a positive way for the first time since she commited her crime; but they didn't recognize her for who she was, the town recognized her for what she could do.

ryan smith

2/13/2011 09:45:36 am

reply to abbey; question 1

i agree with abbey. Puritans aren't supposed to believe in murder and death; but many people of the town stated that Hester should be killed for the crim she commited. Hester made a mistkae just as everyone else will do in their lifetime. Almost everyone deserves a second chance. Hester felt lonely considerin her husband didn't make the trip with them. I feel it is partialy her "husbands" fault but all the town is doing is blaming it on Hester and taking it out on her and her daughter. Pearl is very creative...no a possesed demon child. Since the scarlet letter takes place way back then, they have different beliefs than we do today. Pearl is a good child but it may take the towns poeple a while to realize this.

Abbey Byrd

2/13/2011 09:49:36 am

reply to Thomas; Q2

I agree with you. The importance of chapter 5 is Hesters skillful needlework. Hester does have to support her daughter, Pearl, through her needlework. Others do admire her rare talent. Even referring back to chapter 2 when some women said "She hath good skill at her needle, that's certain". So people do really admires it.

ryan smith

2/13/2011 10:03:59 am

question 1

The attitudes of the puritans of the town towards Hester and Pearl were very crude and in some cases misunderstanding. Hester commited adultery therefore she should be punished. The towns people suggested death and branding her with the scarlet letter. On page 42 ,in paragraph 2, the man states "the penalty therefore is death. But in their great mercy and tenderness of heart they have doomed Hester Prynne to stand only on a place for 3 hours". So they pretty much made her stand in one place so they could critisize her and be rude. Pearl was known as the demon child because she had imaginary friends and danced around with them. She was just very creative but the townspeople have yet to realize this. As i read this, i compare Pearl's situation to the ones of my life today. I honestly am guilty of making fun or and critisizing others of whom i didn't know. I judged them for what they looked like and that they did without truley getting to know them.

Abbey Byrd

2/13/2011 10:26:33 am

Question 2

I feel that the importance of chapter 5 is the way Hester is using her talent in needlework to support herself as well as her daughter. I think Hawthorne goes into so much detail with Hester's needlework because he is elaborating on how good her work is but yet she is still limited because of the her crime. In the book they said she is not allowed to do things for brides because of her sin. I think that her needlework is a way of her giving back to the community and trying to fit in again. But people still frown upon her.

Emily Clark

2/13/2011 11:08:49 am

Reply to Ashley question 2

I completely agree with your saying of the importance of chapter five showing Hesters strength. In the chapter she is able to do magnificent embroidary for the town after being ostrosized. In the chapter Hester recognizes her skill but feels she does not deserve the enjoyment of her needlework. Therefore, she looks at it only as a means for support.

Emily Clark

2/14/2011 10:00:57 am

Reply to Thomas #1

I agree with you completely about what you said about Pearl. The Puritan children didn't fully understand the situation but could tell pearl was different. In chapter 7 it mentions their plan to throw mud at Hester and Pearl as they walk to the Governer's house. In this chapter it also mentions the Puritan's comparison of Pearl to Luther.

Emily Clark

2/14/2011 10:10:20 am

Reply to Ryan #1

I agreee that Pearl is not a demon child and that she is just misunderstood. However, in the Puritan times it was considered the devil's work to sing and dance. In chapter 6 it describes Pearls play with the objects in the woods it also mentions Hester seeing a peeping demon in the child's eyes. Durring these times this led people to believe a person to be of the devil.

Abbey Byrd

2/15/2011 02:14:32 am

Question 3

In chapter 6, Pearl was described into detail. Pearl has a lot of Hesters traits. She has imaginary friends and likes to dance around. Since the puritans are very strict they look at Pearl as being some kind of demon child. She is described as an "outcast" to others. Pearl said in the book "I have no heavenly father" when Hester tried to teach her about god. Hester loves Pearl but is worried about her at the same time. I think Pearl is going to be trouble maker throughout the book and won't be able to take the mistreatment others from the community give her mother and her.

Elyssia Ingram

2/15/2011 02:24:14 am

I'm replying to abbey byrd. I think that Pearl might be a problem but it seems like she's more like her mother than the other Puritains. I feel that she'll be able to stand up for her mother as well as herself. She seems like an outgoing person and looks like she posseses the qualities of a leader.

Kimberly

2/15/2011 09:04:38 am

question 1

The attitude the puritans had toward Hester and Pearl were hatred,because of what she did.They made her stand in front of the public while everyone mocked her and called her names like "a scandal".I think it was harsh for them to judge her like that and for the whole town do know of what she did,although it was wrong.She made her own decision to do what she did.

Elyssia Ingram

2/15/2011 09:04:56 am

I feel that Hester's needlework is noticed because it's an advantage to get the latest fashion in amazing stitch work. They shun her because of her sin but they acknowledge her talent which I believe is wrong. The Puritans should either punish or forget because using her is wrong.

Elyssia Ingram

2/15/2011 09:08:51 am

I think that the opinion of the town is all the same because they all share what they think is right. The people of this town are really not subjected to they're own opinion and so they agree with the higher powers to not get shunned as well. Pearl is a misunderstood girl who is getting the effects of her mother's actions without really knowing what she did. The Puritans are judging her for who her mom is, not for her personality or being.

ryan smith

2/15/2011 09:21:13 am

anyone know who my charACTER IS? :(

cara saxton!

2/15/2011 09:24:24 am

The Purtins strongly dislike Hester, because of what she did. She had to stand out in front of everyone, as they called her rude and harsh names. What she did was wrong but she has been punished for it enough. i think.

kimberly carpenter

2/15/2011 09:24:52 am

question 2

I believe that the importance of chapter 5 is that he talks about how good Hester's needlework is.She provides the stuff her and Pearl need by her needlework.People like what she does but they still judge her for it and they wont let her make wedding dresses because of her sin.I believe Hester wanted to do something good,but still felt ashamed about the past and was constantly reminded of it.

kimberly carpenter

2/15/2011 09:30:41 am

reply to Cara

I agree with you because she has been punished alot for what she did and she's constantly reminded of it too.

cara saxton!

2/15/2011 09:31:29 am

I think Hester's needlework is very impressive and a lovely peice of work. They shun Hester for what she did and yes i think it was wrong but I believe you should forgive and forget. The Purtins are just using Hester for her beautiful needlework. Hester is not doing this so that the Purtins will leave her alone but to support her daughter!

Kimberly carpenter

2/15/2011 09:36:24 am

reply to Elyssia

I agree with you that they are using Hester for her needlework,she is only doing it to support her and pearl.

cara saxton!

2/15/2011 09:36:58 am

My character is Pearl, most of the other characters in the book think she is a demon child but she's not. She just handles things a little bit different. I do agree with what pearl did as Pearl and Hester were walking down the street and everyone was throwing stuff at them. I do not blame her for jumping on them!

cara saxton!

2/15/2011 09:40:12 am

i agree with you on question 1. they did say rude things to her. and everyone keeps bringing it up!

kimberly carpenter

2/15/2011 09:40:17 am

reply to abbey question one:

I agree with you because Pearl is innocent and should not be punished for what her mom did.Its not her fault that theyre in the situation that thy are in now.

cara saxton!

2/15/2011 09:43:23 am

reply to kimberly question 2. i agree with you her talent of her needlework should not be used nor mistreated!

Mallory Colbert

2/15/2011 09:44:20 am

Question 1:
Though it is not publicly expressed, Hester and Pearl have been somewhat ostracized by the puritans in the town. Though they support her way of life through needlework, she has no friends or even acquaintances (p. 54) and lives on the far end of the village. The puritans distaste for Hester is quite obvious in the beginning of the book. For example, in chapter one when all the townspeople await Hester’s admission from the jail they talk about the punishments they would have given her. One women even remarks, “This woman has brought shame upon us all, and ought to die.” (p. 35) While I believe adultery is a heartless act, Hester did not individually hurt any of the citizens. Though morally what Hester did crosses the line, death is too harsh of a penalty give to her especially when she has a child to take care of.
Question 2:
In chapter five Hawthorne goes into great detail about Hester’s needlework. Her needlework is vastly important because it is her livelihood; it is what supports Pearl and her day-to-day. It also fills her time. Though they were sometimes ungrateful, Hester often occupied herself by making crude garments for the poor. (p.55) Hawthorne also states that through her needle work she finds her place in the world. Though she would be forever marked with the Scarlet letter, thus causing shun from others, people could not turn away her true skill in needlework. (p.56)
Question 1:
I think Pearl is my character. I’m gonna act like she is.
In chapter six Hawthorne paints a vivid picture of who Pearl has started to grow into. While at first she seems like a bright young girl who is far more emotionally advanced than children of her age, we learn of the darkness Hester has come to see in her. In comparison we can look at page 59 where Hawthorne describes her as “…a lovely and immortal flower, out of the rank luxuriance of a guilty passion.” So, she appears to be ‘a lovely flower’, but deep inside we can see that she comes from something much darker than this. Hester even questions whether Pearl is a human child or not (p.61). Here Hawthorne elaborates on a look Pearl tends to give her mother; ”It was a look so intelligent, yet inexplicable, perverse, sometimes so malicious, but generally accompanied by a wild flow of spirits…” (p. 61) This look shows that Pearl is way beyond her years and she may come to surprise us with her actions very soon.

ryan smith

2/15/2011 09:48:10 am

question 3; Dimmesdale

Dimmesdale is quite a cowardly character. He knows he is the father and tries to hide it. He is the minister of this puritan town and he doesn't want to reveal the fact that he made a mistake. On page 44 it says Dimmsdale is very eloquence and religious and is already known as a man that is good at his profession. Dimmsdale is a great actor to be able to fool the whole town because on page 45 he personally tells Prynne to speak the name of the baby daddy infront of the whole town when he knows it is him.He needs to come forth and tell the truth considering he is a minsiter and lying is a sin.

Mallory Colbert

2/15/2011 10:01:03 am

Reply to Ashley, question 1:
I’m totally on your side here. I also think adultery is a heinous act and should never be taken lightly, but the puritans, just like Hester, believed her husband was dead. Now while she did not marry, is she not free to make her own choice and move on? Also, Pearl was just a product of this, but she did not ask of or choose her fate. So while she lives with her mother and her mother will always be treated differently, I think the puritans should take that extra step to make Pearl feel welcome so that she does not think it’s okay to commit the same act her mother has committed. If she grows up shunned, why would she fear it when she is older?

Reply to Elyssia, question 2:
I like the statement you made about ‘punishing or forgetting’. I can see how the puritan people think Hester is a horrible sinner, but then they turn around and acknowledge her talent while still looking down on her. It’s almost as if they are willing to forget for a moment how they feel about her sin as long as she will produce a product for them.

Reply to Cara, question 3:
I also support the statement that Pearl handles things differently those others her age. Like some people would say today “She is a ‘Froot Loop’ in a world of Cheerios”. Pearl was born to look at the world differently. This may be bad or good depending on the situation, but she is still a young girl with time to learn and grow.

Abbey Byrd

2/15/2011 10:54:53 am

reply to ryan: Q3

I agree with you about Dimmesdale. He should come out and admit to the sin he made because he is just as much at fault as Hester is. Pearl also deserves to know who her father is and deserves to have a father in her life. I agree that Dimmesdale is a coward. I think that once you make a mistake you need to take responsibility and own up to it no matter what the consequence.

Emily Clark

2/15/2011 11:09:46 am

Question #3

Dimmesdale

In chapter 2 we are first introduced to Dimmesdale. Dimmesdale is the ministor of the town and is highly respected. On page 34 a woman says ""that the Reverend Master Dimmesdale, her godly pastor, takes it very grievously to heart that such a scandal should have come upon his congregation."" which means he feels that it is his fault that this event has occured. This persona leads people to believe that the preacher is noble and highly respectable. When Hester is on the scaffold in chapter two the magistrate ask the reverend to convince her to confide in them the name of the father. Dimmesdale hesitates then preforms the task at hand. This hesitation implanted a suspicion of Dimmesdale in my mind.

Thomas Carota

2/15/2011 11:54:28 am

Question 3

My character is Chillingsworth. We Are first introduced to Chillingsworth in Chapter 2 when he shows up in the town pretending to be a stranger asking what crime Hester has commited. I believe he is going to cause trouble later in the book because he broke his promise to Hester about following her to America. That shows that he is not trustworthy and he is sneaky. I believe he will come up later in the book to cause problems.

Ashley Beckham

2/15/2011 11:57:58 am

Question 3

Hester Prynne

Hester is of course one of the main characters in the book. She shows a lot of will power and determination for not only herself and her child but also for the father of her child as well. In chapter 2 as Hester stands on the scaffold the book says, "The unhappy culprit sustained herself as best a woman might, under the heavy weight of a thousand unrelenting eyes, all fasted upon her, and concentrated at her bosom." (pg.3) Even though Hester is considered and outsider she stays strong for her Pearl.

Ashley Beckham

2/15/2011 12:06:10 pm

Reply to Thomas; Question 3

I agree with your thoughts on Chillingsworth. He gives off a creepy vibe. When he is speaking to Hester in chapter 4 he says, "...Let him live! Let him hide himself in outward honor, if he may! Not the less he shall be mine!" (pg. 51) He is talking about the father of Pearl and i believe the author is foreshadowing his deffinite return later on in the book.
P.S. his name is Chillingsworth. Thats creepy in itself.

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Group ONE: Chapters 1-7

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