Tuesday, February 9, 2010

The Scarlet Letter blog #9

Quote 1:
"After exhausting life in his efforts for mankind's spiritual goo, he had made the manner of his death a parable, in order to impress on his admirers the mighty and mournful lesson" (Hawthorne 231).

Analysis 1:
The main reason why Dimmesdale did not admit to his adultery with Prynne was because Dimmesdale believed that he would demoralize his followers by showing them that Dimmesdale could not lead by his example. This fear, however was proven to be unfounded. By dying in front of the crowd, Dimmesdale showed everyone how painful the sin was for him to endure. Dimmesdale also showed little indication of dreading his death. Few people would want to commit a sin that makes them welcome death with open arms.

Quote 2:
"Pearl was not only alive, but married, and happy, and mindful of her mother, and that she would have most joyfully have entertained that sad and lonely mother at her fireside" (Hawthorne 234).

Analysis 2:
Before Dimmesdale admitted his sin, Pearl acted as an emblem that represented the punishment that Prynne and Dimmesdale ought to have endured our their years of secrecy. Pearl was a burden to Prynne and Dimmesdale when they deserved to be inconvenienced. When Dimmesdale was cleansed of his sin, Pearl's cumbersome duty enforcing punishment was alleviated and she was free to enjoy her life. With parents such as Prynne who understands what repentance is and Dimmesdale who dies for his sin, Pearl lived a prosperous life, obviously learning from her parents sins.

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