" The unlikeliest materials- a stick, a bunch of rags, a flower- were the puppets of Pearl's witchcraft, and, without undergoing any outward change, became spiritually adapted to whatever drama occupied the stage of her inner world." (96-97) The Scarlett Letter
Nathaniel Hawthorne describes young Pearl in such a fascinating edifice, that the audience knows that this child is an extraordinary child, she is different, she will never fit in her society (as her own mother). Pearl-daughter of a puritan woman who has been condemned to a life of misery- will not fall into the Puritan world as the rest of the children her age; she was born out of a sin, so others will treat her different, and she will want to change her society's standards. This quote I chose to share, is significant because it defines Pearl as a creative, sweet, joyous and adventurous person. In this passage, Hawthorne also describes her hobbies of curiosity, and he mentions her doings are like witchcraft-which makes her stand out even more from their religious society. Pearl is not afraid of living, she wants to have fun as she is a child, and she does this by creating her own world. The author uses a long metaphor in this passage to describe Pearl, define her young personality, in order to show us that she is a beautiful child, that Hester Prynne is beautiful, because she is her mother.
Questions:
1. Why has Hawthorne chosen to describe young Pearl as such a beautiful, rare creature in chapter 6?
2. Why is Hester Prynne worried about Pearl's actions or doings? How will this affect her in her cruel society? Or why is Hester Prynne worried for Pearl's future?
3. Will Pearl rebel against the puritan laws in the future? (predict) And what may be her reasons for doing so?
Ms. Rozmiarek: I will not be able to comment on my team member's blogs (as I will have no access to the internet) until I get back on January 7, 2010. Thanks in advanced.
HAPPY NEWYEARS TO ALL!!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Hester Prynne:widow,ex-wife, ex-adultrist, fashion designer, gardener, and mother to Pearl.
"Children, too young to comprehend wherefore this woman should be shut out from the sphere of human charities, would creep nigh enough to behold her needle at the cottage window, or standing in the doorway, or laboring in her little garden, or coming forth along the pathway that led town ward; and, discerning the scarlet letter on her breast, would scamper off with a strange, contagious fear." (85) The Scarlett Letter
Nathaniel Hawthorne writes an impressive dark tale about a young woman stricken with a devilish, unjust fate for committing one of the most sinful crimes of her time; Hawthorne gives the audience honest revelations of the Puritan era. The passage I chose to share, further describes the puritan society as sinister and evil, it teaches the audience more of the religious society during the 1700's. The children- influenced by the adults, comprehended that Hester Prynne was the outlaw, therefore she should be shunned from the enitre village, she was worth nothing, could never be Godly and the scarlett letter on her chest would forever prove this theory. Hawthorne is able to describe Hester as well; he writes that she gardens and sews; he describes her through her actions, she is described as a creative, peaceful, kind soul. Hawthorne uses an antithesis- showing contrasting ideas, in a balanced parallel construction, in order to portray Hester as the protagonist or the good guy and the puritan society (even the children) as the antagonist. Why? Hawthorne is obviously against the religious leaders of this time who are prejudice, are hypocrites and hold too much political power! His opinions about harsh puritan society demonstrated in The Scarlett Letter show us that he is a man who does not fear anyone, he acts through literature, shares his ideas, is honest and writes with purpose.
Questions:
1. Why has the author chosen to portray Roger Chillingworth-husband to Hester Prynne-as a doctor?
2. Is Hester Prynne still married to Roger Chillingworth?
3. How are the author's opinions about the puritan society depicted throughout this novel?
Nathaniel Hawthorne writes an impressive dark tale about a young woman stricken with a devilish, unjust fate for committing one of the most sinful crimes of her time; Hawthorne gives the audience honest revelations of the Puritan era. The passage I chose to share, further describes the puritan society as sinister and evil, it teaches the audience more of the religious society during the 1700's. The children- influenced by the adults, comprehended that Hester Prynne was the outlaw, therefore she should be shunned from the enitre village, she was worth nothing, could never be Godly and the scarlett letter on her chest would forever prove this theory. Hawthorne is able to describe Hester as well; he writes that she gardens and sews; he describes her through her actions, she is described as a creative, peaceful, kind soul. Hawthorne uses an antithesis- showing contrasting ideas, in a balanced parallel construction, in order to portray Hester as the protagonist or the good guy and the puritan society (even the children) as the antagonist. Why? Hawthorne is obviously against the religious leaders of this time who are prejudice, are hypocrites and hold too much political power! His opinions about harsh puritan society demonstrated in The Scarlett Letter show us that he is a man who does not fear anyone, he acts through literature, shares his ideas, is honest and writes with purpose.
Questions:
1. Why has the author chosen to portray Roger Chillingworth-husband to Hester Prynne-as a doctor?
2. Is Hester Prynne still married to Roger Chillingworth?
3. How are the author's opinions about the puritan society depicted throughout this novel?
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