Quote 1:
"[Dimmesdale] besought his friend to continue the care, which, if not successful in restoring him to health, had in all probability, been the means of prolonging his feeble existence to that hour" (Hawthorne 125)
Analysis 1:
Chillingworth has completed his mission to gain complete control over Hawthorne's life. Dimmesdale would like nothing more than to die and forget his sin, however Chillingworth is prolonging his miserable existence. Admitting his sin is a fate worse than death for Dimmesdale. Chillingworth is pushing Dimmesdale's buttons by attempting to make his sin the topic of conversation. One can logically predict that this will become expeditiously easier as Chillingworth has linked Dimmesdale physical illness to his mental anguish. Chillngworth is simply waiting for a formal confession of Dimmesdale's sin before he can cast his final judgement. Chillingworth is like a teacher who had just been pricked by a pin he had sat on. Who saw his student (Dimmesdale) walk into class earlier that day with an excessive amount of pins and a smirk on his face. Chillingworth has the probable cause to suspect Dimmesdale, but he is still awaiting a verbal confession.
Quote 2:
"Had a man seen old Roger Chillingworth, at that moment of his ecstasy, he would have had no need to ask how Satan comports himself when a precious human soul is lost to heaven, and won into his kingdom" (Hawthorne 126).
Analysis 2:
What makes Chillingworth such a dangerous villain? The answer is very simple, it is his reason for originally seeking vengeance. Chillingworth has a legitimate reason for extracting vengeance. His wife was successfully wooed by another man who only sought to sweep the incident under the rug and leave the incident Scott free. In the play Othello, Iago was almost a perfect villain. He was intelligent, duplicitous, and fought most of his battles through mental warfare. His one great downfall was the fact that he was without a motive for tormenting Othello. He was evil for the sake of being evil. Consequently Othello showed him no mercy in the end. In contrast, Chillingworth has a motive which Dimmesdale cannot question him on. Compared to the Brave Othello, the frail reverend Dimmesdale does not have the ability nor the right to defend himself against Chillingworth's vengeance. Most people can empathize with Chillingworth in the sense that most have experienced some form of betrayal. In short, The reader does not hate Chillingworth as much as Iago.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
The Scarlet Letter blog #4
Quote 1:
"She resembled, in her fierce pursuit of them, an infant pestilence, -the scarlet fever, or some such half-fledged angel if judgment,-whose mission was to punish the sins of the rising generation" (Hawthorne 93).
Analysis 1:
Chillingworth is using Pearl as a medium with which to inflict his vengeance upon Dimmesdale. The manner in which Chillingworth is pursuing his vengeance sharply resembles the tactics of Iago in the play Othello. Iago pretended to befriend Othello only to play upon his insecurities and fool him into his downfall. In the same way, Chillingworth, is seen in Dimmesdale's social ring at the Governor's house remarking upon the overly concerned manner in which Dimmesdale treats Pearl.
Quote 2:
"Therefore it is good for this poor, sinful woman that she hath an infant immortality, a being capable of eternal joy or sorrow, confided to her care [...] that, if she bring the child to heaven, the child will also bring the patient thither!" (Hawthorne 105).
Analysis 2:
One is easily swayed into feeling sympathy for Prynne. She has lost her honor and does not allow herself to rejoice in anything that brings her happiness, because she regard it as sin. Curiously enough, Pearl brings Prynne felicity, yet Pyrnne feels no guilt. Pyrnne is rather self critical and she still feels that the happiness Pearl gives her is righteous. Pyrnne's conscience screams for justice and forgiveness for the sin that Pyrnne has so heavily repented.
"She resembled, in her fierce pursuit of them, an infant pestilence, -the scarlet fever, or some such half-fledged angel if judgment,-whose mission was to punish the sins of the rising generation" (Hawthorne 93).
Analysis 1:
Chillingworth is using Pearl as a medium with which to inflict his vengeance upon Dimmesdale. The manner in which Chillingworth is pursuing his vengeance sharply resembles the tactics of Iago in the play Othello. Iago pretended to befriend Othello only to play upon his insecurities and fool him into his downfall. In the same way, Chillingworth, is seen in Dimmesdale's social ring at the Governor's house remarking upon the overly concerned manner in which Dimmesdale treats Pearl.
Quote 2:
"Therefore it is good for this poor, sinful woman that she hath an infant immortality, a being capable of eternal joy or sorrow, confided to her care [...] that, if she bring the child to heaven, the child will also bring the patient thither!" (Hawthorne 105).
Analysis 2:
One is easily swayed into feeling sympathy for Prynne. She has lost her honor and does not allow herself to rejoice in anything that brings her happiness, because she regard it as sin. Curiously enough, Pearl brings Prynne felicity, yet Pyrnne feels no guilt. Pyrnne is rather self critical and she still feels that the happiness Pearl gives her is righteous. Pyrnne's conscience screams for justice and forgiveness for the sin that Pyrnne has so heavily repented.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The Scarlet Letter blog #3
Quote 1:
"It is probable that there was an idea of penance in this mode of occupation, and that she offered up a real sacrifice of enjoyment, in devoting so many hours to such rude handiwork" (Hawthorne 77)
Analysis 1:
The embroidery upon Pyrnne's chest has penetrated deep into her soul. The style of punishment in which has been cast upon Prynee has worked ideally. Not only is she feeling the shame that she ought to, but her reflection on her shame has also driven her to committing good works. Also, Pyrnne has accepted her fate as a sinner. She does not try to hide her embroidery, but rather she openly presents it knowing that a pang of shame with be following closely behind. Chillingworth ought to use this towards his advantage. He should try to convince her that only way that she can truly be absolved from her sin and escape its shame would be to reveal her lover.
Quote 2:
"Pearl was a born outcast of the infantile world. An imp of evil, emblem and product of sin, she had no right among christened infants" (Hawthorne 85).
Analysis 2:
Pearl's story bears a strong resemblance towards the story of Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve were initially pure, as they were the first to be created in God's image and likeness. In the same way, Prynne was the innocent and most beautiful girl in her town and Dimmesdale was quite the Renaissance man and an ideal pastor. When Adam and Eve sin they lose God's good favor and are removed from the Garden of Eden, giving all of humanity original sin. Prynne and Pearl have been made outcasts in their society and Pearl has received her original sin from the follies of Dimmesdale and Prynne.
"It is probable that there was an idea of penance in this mode of occupation, and that she offered up a real sacrifice of enjoyment, in devoting so many hours to such rude handiwork" (Hawthorne 77)
Analysis 1:
The embroidery upon Pyrnne's chest has penetrated deep into her soul. The style of punishment in which has been cast upon Prynee has worked ideally. Not only is she feeling the shame that she ought to, but her reflection on her shame has also driven her to committing good works. Also, Pyrnne has accepted her fate as a sinner. She does not try to hide her embroidery, but rather she openly presents it knowing that a pang of shame with be following closely behind. Chillingworth ought to use this towards his advantage. He should try to convince her that only way that she can truly be absolved from her sin and escape its shame would be to reveal her lover.
Quote 2:
"Pearl was a born outcast of the infantile world. An imp of evil, emblem and product of sin, she had no right among christened infants" (Hawthorne 85).
Analysis 2:
Pearl's story bears a strong resemblance towards the story of Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve were initially pure, as they were the first to be created in God's image and likeness. In the same way, Prynne was the innocent and most beautiful girl in her town and Dimmesdale was quite the Renaissance man and an ideal pastor. When Adam and Eve sin they lose God's good favor and are removed from the Garden of Eden, giving all of humanity original sin. Prynne and Pearl have been made outcasts in their society and Pearl has received her original sin from the follies of Dimmesdale and Prynne.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The Scarlet Letter blog #2
Quotation 1:
" 'Thus she will be a living sermon against sin, until the ignominious letter be engraved upon her tombstone" (Hawthorne 59).
Analysis 1:
The townspeople have taken a remarkable approach to enforce their punishment. Throughout history rebellions and war have taken place in spite of a government that unjustly punished people. During world war two, the allied powers were too easily provoked by anti-Zionist Germany and fought arduously to defeat the injustice the Nazis upheld. In The Crucible, society toppled their government because martyrs were being made out of a large portion of the townsfolk. The government in The Scarlet Letter have taken a route much like the central government of 1984. Rather than blindly kill the opposition, the rebels are converted and are forced to realize the shame that they previously shut their eyes to.
Quotation 2:
" "Not thy soul,' he answered, with another smile. 'No not Thine!' " (Hawthorne 72).
Analysis 2:
Chillingworth's attitude is a frightening one. He has taken on a God complex and bears a strong resemblance towards Danforth in The Crucible. Chillingworth has offered of forgiveness when he ought to be anger. He indirectly threatened Pyrnne's lover and is completely sure that he will discover who he is despite the substantial population. Ever since he walked in the Pyrnne's cell he began to talk of what he can do, from alchemy to murder.
" 'Thus she will be a living sermon against sin, until the ignominious letter be engraved upon her tombstone" (Hawthorne 59).
Analysis 1:
The townspeople have taken a remarkable approach to enforce their punishment. Throughout history rebellions and war have taken place in spite of a government that unjustly punished people. During world war two, the allied powers were too easily provoked by anti-Zionist Germany and fought arduously to defeat the injustice the Nazis upheld. In The Crucible, society toppled their government because martyrs were being made out of a large portion of the townsfolk. The government in The Scarlet Letter have taken a route much like the central government of 1984. Rather than blindly kill the opposition, the rebels are converted and are forced to realize the shame that they previously shut their eyes to.
Quotation 2:
" "Not thy soul,' he answered, with another smile. 'No not Thine!' " (Hawthorne 72).
Analysis 2:
Chillingworth's attitude is a frightening one. He has taken on a God complex and bears a strong resemblance towards Danforth in The Crucible. Chillingworth has offered of forgiveness when he ought to be anger. He indirectly threatened Pyrnne's lover and is completely sure that he will discover who he is despite the substantial population. Ever since he walked in the Pyrnne's cell he began to talk of what he can do, from alchemy to murder.
Monday, January 25, 2010
The Scarlet Letter blog #1
Q1:
" 'People say,' said another, 'that the Reverend Master Dimmesdale, her godly pastor takes it very grievously to heart that such a scandal should have come upon his congregation" (Hawthorne 48-49).
A1:
It is plausible that Reverend Master Dimmesdale would be the father of the Prynne's child. This is so because Hawthorne is a transcendentalist and would be making discreet critique of the Congregational church through the result of its teaching in its ministers. Specifically, the critique would be of the frailty of an organized church system. It calls people to appreciate God in church and act out lustfully (or in another negative way). Where as transcendentalists, in theory, are constantly surrounded in God's goodness and never lose sight of it.
Q1
" 'She hath good skill at her needle, that's certain,' remarked one of her female spectators; 'but did ever a woman before this brazen hussy, contrive such a way of showing it!" (Hawthorne 51).
A1:
The artistically sewn A is strange for someone who has been locked away. Usually, artistic expression is an expression of happiness, especially the way it has been described within the text. Prynne does not seem like she would have much to look forward to that would inspire such an elegant embroidery. Perhaps she believes that the man who has impregnated her will stay true to her and still love her in the midst of her predicament, however society's harsh treatment of such adulators would suggest otherwise.
" 'People say,' said another, 'that the Reverend Master Dimmesdale, her godly pastor takes it very grievously to heart that such a scandal should have come upon his congregation" (Hawthorne 48-49).
A1:
It is plausible that Reverend Master Dimmesdale would be the father of the Prynne's child. This is so because Hawthorne is a transcendentalist and would be making discreet critique of the Congregational church through the result of its teaching in its ministers. Specifically, the critique would be of the frailty of an organized church system. It calls people to appreciate God in church and act out lustfully (or in another negative way). Where as transcendentalists, in theory, are constantly surrounded in God's goodness and never lose sight of it.
Q1
" 'She hath good skill at her needle, that's certain,' remarked one of her female spectators; 'but did ever a woman before this brazen hussy, contrive such a way of showing it!" (Hawthorne 51).
A1:
The artistically sewn A is strange for someone who has been locked away. Usually, artistic expression is an expression of happiness, especially the way it has been described within the text. Prynne does not seem like she would have much to look forward to that would inspire such an elegant embroidery. Perhaps she believes that the man who has impregnated her will stay true to her and still love her in the midst of her predicament, however society's harsh treatment of such adulators would suggest otherwise.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Rossi, 1
Michael Rossi
December 31, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language
Crucible Long Papers- Prompt One
Proctor’s Garden
Proctor led a fateful life in a twisted society. In Salem, it was understood that sins left a stain so dark that no holiness could ever again prevail within the sinner. Proctor’s soul was black with adultery and admitted he was the Devil’s man, but in reality Proctor was achieving redemption. The residents of Salem took a very teleological approach to making sure the Devil was purged from their society. In the process, they ignored forgiveness, which is one of the chief tenants of Christianity, and embraced pride. The Devil was loose in Salem, but not in John Proctor or Goody Nurse. Throughout the course of The Crucible, Proctor earned redemption through improving his understanding of his society.
At The Crucible’s opening Proctor is vexed by the fact that he could not earn Elizabeth’s forgiveness for his affair with Abigail. Proctor attempted to alleviate his guilt by coaxing Elizabeth to allow his lechery to escape her thoughts. This approach in itself is unworthy of forgiveness. Proctor’s initial goal is not to have Elizabeth forgive him, but to have her forget about the entire incident. This is best exhibited when Proctor declares, “You forget nothing and forgive nothin’. Learn charity, woman” (Miller 54). This is a serious problem not only for Proctor, but for relationships as a whole. When any group has an argument over a matter that they do not wish to negotiate, fighting takes place. Any war in the history of man can be looked to for reference. Proctor is ignoring the crucial fact that love requires two people. Elizabeth has dealt with Proctor’s dishonesty and he now demands that she also comes to peace with it.
Rossi, 2
Elizabeth made this lucidly clear when she said, “I do not judge you. The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you” (Miller 55).
In the beginning, Proctor was swallowed by the lecherous evil that Abigail exposed him to. He demanded that Elizabeth extend her arm and hoist him from it, but he was unable to extend his own as it was heavy with lies and selfishness. When Salem decided that Elizabeth was a witch, Proctor learned that by burying the truth he not only blinds himself, but the very court who is judging his wife. When Proctor admitted to the lechery, he soiled his good name and admitted his flaw not only to the court but to himself. When Proctor buried the truth, and all the weight it carried, it was far too difficult to dig himself out. Like any relationship, one has to truly realize the offense before they can seek forgiveness for it. Understanding the problem was proctor’s first step toward redemption.
The author, Arthur Miller, made it effortless to empathize with Proctor, as repression is a common and negative coping mechanism that everyone has experienced. Utilizing the witch hunt, Miller demonstrates how repression can be harmful to an individual and the individual’s society. Any unchristian man, with no remorse, who was open about the affair, would have received a few whiplashes. By characterizing Proctor as the strong silent type, he demonstrates how even a devout Christian man can adversely affect society with nothing more than a repression of emotion, even if he is sorry. Miller shows that if Proctor was more in touch with his feelings, his proactive confession could have quelled the hysteria and exposed Abigail as no more than a lying strumpet. If Proctor had been more in touch with his feelings, he would have been able to testify in court instead of taking that time to first testify to himself. Miller makes it lucidly clear that tough guys create a tough guise, which in Proctor’s case, leads to the near
Rossi, 3
destruction of his relationship with himself, his wife, and the Court. Overcoming this state of mind and rapidly striving to understand things as he should for the sake of his wife, allowed Proctor to grow even closer to redemption.
Proctor was ultimately redeemed when he resolved to die in the name of those who were hanged. Proctor realized hysterical state that Salem was immersed in and the honorable nature of those who were hanged in the name of truth: “Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang!” (Miller 143). Proctor relinquished the last of his ego when he would not agree to the singed confession. Miller facilitates the reader’s ability to empathize with Proctor because Proctor’s last minute regression towards selfishness exhibits tendency that most people experience at some point in their lives. Proctor conquered his human instinct of self preservation in the name of truth and honor. This is a natural fear which most people will never conquer. Proctor was coming to grips with the fact that he was singing his death sentence by shredding his confession. Thoughts of fear and sorrow sped through his mind and left logic in the dust. Nevertheless, Proctor was able to gather his thoughts and be selflessly martyred. Proctor finally gained redemption because in the eyes of the reader, God, and Elizabeth because he ended the very witch hunt that he could have prevented. Proctor makes made amends to Salem by hanging alongside those who were hanged and destroying the court system which was responsible for advocating the witch hunt.
Throughout the course of The Crucible, Proctor earned redemption through improving his understanding of his society. Salem is like the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were negatively influenced by the devil and misused the tree of knowledge in order to try to compete with God’s knowledge. In the same way, Abigail fooled the residents of Salem to preserve the community.
Rossi, 4
In doing so, Salem ignored the fact that a community cannot be a community without people. Whimsically killing cast numbers of people defeats the purpose of having an organized community, whose goal should be to protect people in the first place, and is the wrong approach to trying to preserve its members. Abigail tainted Salem. Similarity, God punished the devil and removed Adam and Eve from the garden. By acting selflessly Proctor became symbol of Christianity. In life, Proctor was a lecher who was partially to blame for the witch hysteria in Salem. In death Proctor was a martyr who demonstrated what it means to selflessly die for an injustice.
Michael Rossi
December 31, 2009
Advanced Placement English Language
Crucible Long Papers- Prompt One
Proctor’s Garden
Proctor led a fateful life in a twisted society. In Salem, it was understood that sins left a stain so dark that no holiness could ever again prevail within the sinner. Proctor’s soul was black with adultery and admitted he was the Devil’s man, but in reality Proctor was achieving redemption. The residents of Salem took a very teleological approach to making sure the Devil was purged from their society. In the process, they ignored forgiveness, which is one of the chief tenants of Christianity, and embraced pride. The Devil was loose in Salem, but not in John Proctor or Goody Nurse. Throughout the course of The Crucible, Proctor earned redemption through improving his understanding of his society.
At The Crucible’s opening Proctor is vexed by the fact that he could not earn Elizabeth’s forgiveness for his affair with Abigail. Proctor attempted to alleviate his guilt by coaxing Elizabeth to allow his lechery to escape her thoughts. This approach in itself is unworthy of forgiveness. Proctor’s initial goal is not to have Elizabeth forgive him, but to have her forget about the entire incident. This is best exhibited when Proctor declares, “You forget nothing and forgive nothin’. Learn charity, woman” (Miller 54). This is a serious problem not only for Proctor, but for relationships as a whole. When any group has an argument over a matter that they do not wish to negotiate, fighting takes place. Any war in the history of man can be looked to for reference. Proctor is ignoring the crucial fact that love requires two people. Elizabeth has dealt with Proctor’s dishonesty and he now demands that she also comes to peace with it.
Rossi, 2
Elizabeth made this lucidly clear when she said, “I do not judge you. The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you” (Miller 55).
In the beginning, Proctor was swallowed by the lecherous evil that Abigail exposed him to. He demanded that Elizabeth extend her arm and hoist him from it, but he was unable to extend his own as it was heavy with lies and selfishness. When Salem decided that Elizabeth was a witch, Proctor learned that by burying the truth he not only blinds himself, but the very court who is judging his wife. When Proctor admitted to the lechery, he soiled his good name and admitted his flaw not only to the court but to himself. When Proctor buried the truth, and all the weight it carried, it was far too difficult to dig himself out. Like any relationship, one has to truly realize the offense before they can seek forgiveness for it. Understanding the problem was proctor’s first step toward redemption.
The author, Arthur Miller, made it effortless to empathize with Proctor, as repression is a common and negative coping mechanism that everyone has experienced. Utilizing the witch hunt, Miller demonstrates how repression can be harmful to an individual and the individual’s society. Any unchristian man, with no remorse, who was open about the affair, would have received a few whiplashes. By characterizing Proctor as the strong silent type, he demonstrates how even a devout Christian man can adversely affect society with nothing more than a repression of emotion, even if he is sorry. Miller shows that if Proctor was more in touch with his feelings, his proactive confession could have quelled the hysteria and exposed Abigail as no more than a lying strumpet. If Proctor had been more in touch with his feelings, he would have been able to testify in court instead of taking that time to first testify to himself. Miller makes it lucidly clear that tough guys create a tough guise, which in Proctor’s case, leads to the near
Rossi, 3
destruction of his relationship with himself, his wife, and the Court. Overcoming this state of mind and rapidly striving to understand things as he should for the sake of his wife, allowed Proctor to grow even closer to redemption.
Proctor was ultimately redeemed when he resolved to die in the name of those who were hanged. Proctor realized hysterical state that Salem was immersed in and the honorable nature of those who were hanged in the name of truth: “Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth the dust on the feet of them that hang!” (Miller 143). Proctor relinquished the last of his ego when he would not agree to the singed confession. Miller facilitates the reader’s ability to empathize with Proctor because Proctor’s last minute regression towards selfishness exhibits tendency that most people experience at some point in their lives. Proctor conquered his human instinct of self preservation in the name of truth and honor. This is a natural fear which most people will never conquer. Proctor was coming to grips with the fact that he was singing his death sentence by shredding his confession. Thoughts of fear and sorrow sped through his mind and left logic in the dust. Nevertheless, Proctor was able to gather his thoughts and be selflessly martyred. Proctor finally gained redemption because in the eyes of the reader, God, and Elizabeth because he ended the very witch hunt that he could have prevented. Proctor makes made amends to Salem by hanging alongside those who were hanged and destroying the court system which was responsible for advocating the witch hunt.
Throughout the course of The Crucible, Proctor earned redemption through improving his understanding of his society. Salem is like the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were negatively influenced by the devil and misused the tree of knowledge in order to try to compete with God’s knowledge. In the same way, Abigail fooled the residents of Salem to preserve the community.
Rossi, 4
In doing so, Salem ignored the fact that a community cannot be a community without people. Whimsically killing cast numbers of people defeats the purpose of having an organized community, whose goal should be to protect people in the first place, and is the wrong approach to trying to preserve its members. Abigail tainted Salem. Similarity, God punished the devil and removed Adam and Eve from the garden. By acting selflessly Proctor became symbol of Christianity. In life, Proctor was a lecher who was partially to blame for the witch hysteria in Salem. In death Proctor was a martyr who demonstrated what it means to selflessly die for an injustice.
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