Essay...

A dance with fear; as fear is associated with shame. I will begin my essay by addressing Hester's negligence to cover the scarlet A in order to rise above the publics diminishing eye and show pride in her newfound identity; thus banishing the factor of shame which the public desires her to express. However, does this truly free her of the fear and shame of which she wishes to be emancipated from through conducting such an action? No, fear manifests itself in Pearl, and although Hester wishes to be rid such fear, it follows her. I will then delve deeper as to why Pearl is a symbol of fear; being a constant reminder of the sin, through her obsession with the letter, never being able to escape from criticism [I will probably use the river scene to further address this] ect. Then, for the majority of my essay, I will discuss how fear is a binding and limiting asset to life. Fear is the door to our self-created prison, it is a gate-keeper that only exists in our mind. While other who are free of sin can walk in and out of the gates (reality) at will, those engrossed with fear are limited of such a freedom. 

essay

Have you ever wondered why certain laws exsist. Sometimes you try to find a moral code behind these laws and you can't find anything. In the Scarlet letter Hester is shunned for loving someone other than her old creepy husband. This should be a private matter solved between the three of these individuals, not between Hester and all of society. Society has nothing to do with this matter and they should take no part in butting in. Rather than a sin, adultery is an individuals choice which should be respected. I find that within our legal system there are many random crimes that are looked down upon similar to the one portrayed in this book. The punishment given in return is more of a crime than the actual crime. People should have the freedom to choose for themselves and live the way they want to live. This doesn't go to say that hard crimes which harm others should be legal, they very well should not.
In the case with Hester, she is made to follow a certain path in life that she isn't allowed to break out of. She is forced into marriage at the young age of 13 because her family doesn't have the money to support her. From here she is made to be with Chillingworth for the rest of her life. Before she even reaches her peak of womanhood her life is over. She tries to break out of this path when she meets Dimmsdale and is punished for it. She never once has the option to choose for herself. Society suffocates her with it's rigid nosiness.

hypocrisy essay

Ironically, when Mr. Lavender was talking about "what Meghan would write her essay about" in class, he was kind of correct in his assumption. I do want to write aobut hypocrisy. When we were first assigned this essay, I thought I was going to write about feminism, or the lack thereof, in The Scarlet Letter. Hawthorne's passages about feminism really inspired me, and I was convinced that I would be able to write an interesting and insightful essay about the subject. However, after letting the idea percolate for a while, I was at a loss. I couldn't think of something on the subject of feminism that I wanted to say. So I started to think about other "key themes" within the novel, and the idea of hypocrisy really stuck with me. One of my pet peeves has always been hypcrites (even though I, myself, am very hypocritical at times). The passage in The Scarlet Letter where Dimmesdale is looking down on Hester, encouraging her to call forth her lover as to convict him, too, even though he WAS the lover was really intense. Just the irony was fascinating. It then lead me to think of other exmaples of hypocrisy in my life. I first thought of Telluride. Telluride prides itself on being an outstandingly openminded and welcoming town. That is, if you agree with them. As a slightly conservative minded Texas chick, I am regularly at odds with the common opinion of Telluride. And while Telluride claims to be so openminded, I found myself regularly persecuted for having different opinions than those of most Telluride residents.
Another example that came to mind was the blatant hypocrisy of many organized religions. I am a follower of the Christian faith, and I've never been shy about that. However, I quick to recognize the multitude of wrongdoings and acts of hypocrisy within the sphere of modern Christianity. As our country continues to struggle for the rights of gay and lesbian couples, many "Christians" protest this with signs saying things along the lines of "God hates fags" and "homos will burn in hell." Things like this literally nauseate me. A passage in the book of 1 Corinthians in the Bible states "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing....these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." I am baffled as to how these "Christian" people can read this passage, and yet say that God, who is, in His very essence, love, would hate someone on any occasion.
Yet another exmaple I find within myself. I often say that I am INFURIATED by my mother's inability to remember things and that she cannot stay focused on any one thing at any given time. She is the epitome of an A.D.D. sufferer. And yet, while those traits in her drive me mad, I can often be exactly like her. I have issues focusing on thigns for long periods of time, and I'm often too distracted by my surroundings to remember anything, important or otherwise.
Hypocrisy is all around us. We see examples of on a daily basis. It's the complacency with hypocrisy in our society that I want to write about.

The love hate relationship

What is love without hate? What is happiness without sadness? Can one truly exist without the other? In our society we see on a daily basis the balance of love and hate and how they are very much the yin and yang of our emotional world. Roger Chillingworth for example has a love hate relationship with Hester Prynn, he still loves her for she was his wife, but on the other hand he resents her because of her not being faithful to him. The same thing applies to Hester and her relationship with Pearl. There is no doubt that Hester loves Pearl but there is a question of whether or not Pearl is the result of sin and what that may or may not entail. This also applies to my grade.
I have a love, hate relationship with the boys in my grade. Individually they are awesome but as a whole they are obnoxious. But it is my choice on whether or not I allow them to make me mad or laugh. We have a choice when it comes to our emotions, it is completely up to the individual on how they are going to react It is true that our humanistic instincts cause us to want to react in a specific way but whether or not you give in to that instinct is up to them. It is also true that as humans we tend to focus on the negatives rather than the positives because it is more acceptable to think that you look ugly then pretty in our society. On the other hand if you are walking down the hallway and you see someone glare at you most likely you would turn away. But if you walk down the hallway and someone smiles at you, you begin to smile to and so on and so forth.

The Great Level of an Ant

In my essay I will be addressing the idea of Feminism and the existence (or nonexistence) of it in society and nature. I will base my idea of the Scarlet Letter through the use of three different scenes (Forest, Scaffold at Night, Scaffold at Day-last scene). Then use my idea to incorporate ants (which may sounds weird) as a way of proving that feminism does not naturally exist in nature. This will tie back to humans because it is true that women have a certain conneciton with nature through their cycles and such, therefore they attain a certain strength. Men feel as though society is theirs which is in ways true because they define things such as "adultry." Women may conform to the ideals of this society but really they never fit in because of their eternal conneciton with nature and a strength that is simply too strong for society. Just as men will never truly fit in with nature (as Dimmesdale doesn't in the forest, or male ants don't in their colonies). They may feel a certain comfort within but, truly men depend on women to interact with nature for them (ie, Dimmesdale craving for Hester's strength, which in the end she gives him and the female ant's ability to collect food and care for the colony while the men must depend on them to continue their work).

In a way, humans have messed up this natural system of feminist order (where everything is equal, even though the women may have more power, so it is more balanced) by placing men "in charge." All of a sudden they are the only ones who can do anything or be successful. In Puritan New England this aspect of society is very important, submitting the women into a way of tortured silence. They may only clean, care, and cook while the men are out being triumphant. Really, the women should be because they have a connection with all that is natural in this world. In Hester's case, she has escaped this hold of society and using some sort of strength (even though it portrayed itself in a bad way) she has pulled away and found her connection once again with nature (especially seen in the forest). Yes, she is tortured from her sin but she remains in Boston to develop on inner strength that changes her appearance in the eyes of the people.

She has built herself up to the level of ant (almost taking society with her), ironic yes because ants are so little, but they embody the ideal characteristics of a balanced world of gender roles. Everyone respects where they are to be and does what they know how to do instinctively, just as women do in society but they are pushed behind bars and told HOW to do what they already know and then kept from doing more of what they really could do. But these ants, living in perfect harmony respecting the superiority of the females. Hester has once again found this ability to be her own person and to lead (even through a sin). I mentioned that she is bringing society with her and in ways this is true because as she transforms, not only learning from her mistake but building an inner strength she suddenly becomes "our Hester," transforming the ideal of a strong women in the eyes of society.

Dimmesdale has fallen apart, any strength or self wisdom he once retained deteriorating and wiped away by the realities of society. Hester IS so much stronger in him in coming forward to admit her sin and he cant even do that. He begs for her strength which she so willingly hands over because she loves him, but also because her femininity naturally reach out to help others and love. Her strength is so great that after seven years of suffering(?) she throws away her letter and begs him to go away with her. Betraying her (in the public eye), which is in ways a power trip by men, Dimmesdale still begs for her mercy and her ability to share her strength. She shares with him. She hands over her heart, submitting to this man, but still holding strong to her own strength. Forever, she will be above all because she has admitted to this sin she committed and lived with it for years, attached to her side and her breast. She will always have a certain strength because in her connection with nature (sex) she stepped above and took control, just as the ants would do. She continues to care for others, "collecting food" and "running her own society."

Just throwing in one more thing. In my psych book it said that autistic minds are like a sever case of a male brain. They can't communicate, they have issues being social, and their empathetic level is low or nonexistent. Sad, but true, this is seen greatly by Dimmesdale's ignorance of his sin and the way it deteriorates him. But maybe it's true, maybe he can't step out of the way men naturally are. And maybe that is why women are so powerful because they can step out of how they are and hold back on themselves. Pushed back by the norms of society, they have to control their own strengths and this takes strengths. They are strong by unwillingy controlling their natural actions while men couldn't even naturally consider doing this.

Morals

For my paper I am going to go off the basis of peoples morals and how they have changed. This is a very broad subject though so from that I am going to go more specifically into morals using the concept of nurture vs nature and if society breeds evil. When we look back today the actions that occurred in the Puritan times seem not even fathomable but in those days, it was the norm. Also, in Puritan times, if you were to go against an idea you would most likely be condemned. With this, I think that I'll be able to see how when people grow up in a society with fear, they may act differently and not discuss their true views openly, but in societies that are open to new ideas people are much more likely to also show their own views. Now the question from that asks which is which? Is is NATURAL for a human to have certain views if they are born into it or is it the nurture that once they are born, shapes them? How big of a role does fear play? Religion? What are all the factors that can change someones values? In this essay I will narrow down and discover what seems to be the most plausible cause to how people shape their views and what that has done in our world today to shape how the whole world and single communities adapt to change. Over the years, we have all become more capable of change, but why? Who started the idea of change and what caused that to begin...

Playa's and Sluts

My essay issay is going to be about the unequal treatment of women vs. men. I will start my argument by going over some of the cruel things that happened in The Scarlett Letter. For example, when any women sleepes with another man besides her husband she is commiting adultry. On the other hand, when the man cheats on his wife the communtiy does not look at him as commitng adultry, but rather commiting lechery. In society back in the 17th century the persception of adultry was a lot worse of a crime than lechery. This makes no sense conssiderding that they are commiting the exact same crime. The woman, who is Hester in this case, gets tourmented for a whole 7 years about the crime, while the name of her accomplice doesn't even come about. The man that she cheats with doesn't even give his name up for 7 years and then he kills himself because he thinks he has been tortured for all of those years. Hester was the real person who had been tortured for all of those years. After explaining how the two genders were treated differently for the same crime, I am goin to talk about how the same thing happens in this day and age. Although the legal system these days treats men and woman the same, the eyes of the public has a completely different perseption. These day's when a girl sleeps with a large number of men she is immidiatly considered a slut. Not only is she considered a slut by the men, she is also considered a slut by her fellow girlfriends. On the other hand, when a guy gets his mac on and sleeps with a bunch of girls, he is immidiatly considered a player. This will all just add to my argument that the treatment of the two genders has been the same since the 17th century.

How should people deal with shame?

How should people deal with shame? Is there a right way to deal with shame? Should you hide your shame like Dimmesdale or ignore it like Chillingworth. Or should you embrace it like Hester. I think you have to embrace it and not hide it. If you keep your shame to yourself, you can never get over it. You will always be unhappy. If you can stare shame in the face, you might have deal with the consequences of being judged by everyone else, but you can "scare it away" and get on with your life.

$HAME AND THE INTERSECTION BETWEEN NATURE AND $OCIETY

revenge

For my paper i will be writing about revenge. What it is, why people seek it, what it leads to. the main question i will be asking is "Does revenge ultimately lead to resolution or corruption?" I'll use examples like Chillingsworth and his change throughout the book for an example of the effects of revenge. In the beginning, Chillingsworth has an air of “oh, I’m finally going to boston, I’ll see my wife…” but what he sees is his wife on the scaffold with a young child of her own. After seeing this he decides he’ll do whatever it takes to find the man that tempted his wife, and won. Throughout the book Chillingsworth starts looking more deformed and takes on a darker and darker role. The revenge he seeks is corrupting him. But are there instances where revenge doesn’t corrupt the seeker? I’ll be exploring different contemporary novels to find the answer.

Theocracy

In this essay, I'm going to talk about religion. My intention is to explain how powerful it has been in the centuries and how powerful it still is.
When Hester Prynne lived, the Church was the strongest institution able to influence an entire society. Pearl was called the "demon child" and one of the descriptions Hawthorne gives her says "There was a fire in her and through her; she seemed the unpremeditated offshot of a passionate moment".
Now, the Church seems not so important as it used to be, but I know that in the 21st century, many people couldn't live without it. They need a guide to tell them what to do and apparently that guide is God. Some pray many times a day, they go to church every Sunday and sometimes even during the week. They have the same belief that people had three centuries ago and they strongly critize those like me, who believe neither in God nor in Church.
I come from Italy, the State of the Catholic Church, and I can tell you that the Pope has an immense power and an unbelievable leverage on the government. This is important to say just to make you understand that the Church still IS powerful; only, people don't talk about it as much as they used to do.
Some of the questions I'll try to answer are: Is there a difference between God and Church? What brings people to be religious? Is religion useful?.
As a conclusion, I will write about some of my personal experiences that brought me not to believe either in Church or in God.

Essay....

For my essay i want to focus on the role of a persons actions in shaping one's character. The ultimate question i will hopefully answer is, "Should we judge someone based on what they appear to do?" I will start my essay by exploring both Hester and Mr. Dimmesdale's contributions or services to society and contrast those with their internal thoughts. Although this will kind of tie into hypocrisy, i want to delve deeper into how the townspeople view these two characters and how they view each other. Is intimacy the only way to truly know someone? I hope to transition into assessing the actions of contemporary people, such as the students at THS. I will provide stereotypical examples to reveal that a persons actions do not accurately reflect their internal selves. Such as the student body president who seeks to rebel, or the loner who wants to be a part of the in crowd, or even the teachers who desperately wish they could find more excitement in their everyday lives. I think the contrast between what someone does with who they are will provide me with a strong foundation for my essay. For the conclusion i would like tie this topic in with how we judge people, and if judgement is rational or necessary because we will never truly know other people's internal selves. Should we completely eliminate judgement and criticism since the things we judge and criticize are not accurate representations of a person's true character. Throughout life we all find some sort of self identity, but sometimes the identity we choose to project may not be the true identity of our inner being. I think my essay will argue that outward appearance is insignificant, and society should focus less on how we perceive other people and more on how we perceive ourselves. If we truly know ourselves we have the power to reveal our genuine identity to others, thus eliminating the hypocrisy of external appearance. Hopefully i can use the characters in the Scarlet Letter as a starting point and expand on contemporary characters to bring home my arguement. It seems i have already answered my central question, but my essay will serve as a rationale for my answer.

Respect vs. Fear

I'm not quite sure exactly how to start this, but I'm thinking of writing my essay on the themes of respect, shame and fear through parenting. Comparing and Contrasting today's society to Hester's will be a main focal point as well, and asking questions regarding if society is better today. Through the parenting of Pearl, I feel that I can show these aspects clearly. In the Scarlet letter Hester at times treats pearl with what we would feel today unacceptable "Do not tease me, ; else I shall shut you in a dark closet!" It was custom in Hester's age to treat children harshly in order to obey their parents, or the law (even if this meant beating them for no reason) "The discipline of the family, in those days, was of a far more rigid kind than now. The frown, the harsh rebuke, the requent application of the rod, enjoined by scriptural authority, were used, not merely in the way of punishment for actual offences, but as a wholesome regimen for the growth and promotion of childish virtues. Hester Prynne, nevertheless, the only mother of this one child, ran little risk of erring on the side of undue severity". Actions were immediately followed by consequences out of a fearful respect. As well, during Hester's time there were not as many statistics of teenage pregnancy, rape, or other horrible acts. Is this a result of the harsh consequences that were immediately gien after actions? Today's society it seems is haunted by high statistics of the previous listed. As well, consequences don't seem to reach the finality and harshness as they did in earlier times as they do today. I'm not saying that we should beat our children in order for factors in society (such as rape) to be lessened, but only that a much higher no tolerance level was found in Hester's time.
These are just my beginning thoughts, but this is an idea of what I'm going to write about...

Hypocrisy, the ultimate conformity?

well i guess i am going to start with describing Hester's form of hypocrisy, how she conforms to how the society wants her to be but on the inside she feels completely different. then I might go on to discuss Dimmsdale and how it might be fear of shame that will have people conform and surrender to hypocrisy. after this i will apply this to more recent events, like Ted Haggardy's [DELETED]
I really think that that hypocrisy is the ultimate version of conformity and I'd like to compare these thoughts to some of what Emerson had to say and ponder over what he would have to say about all of this. And I'll probably try to fit in some stuff about how shame will make us do some pretty shallow things, for example; Dimmsdale's [DELETED] Finally I might end this amazing essay with some examples of people who are celebrated for being freethinking individuals and how our modern day vision of the world is not as blinded by religion and other people's thoughts making for a less hypocritical world.

Banished

Is it ok for society to exclude people from communities? Well, in The Scarlet Letter Hester is looked down upon by the Boston Community for her adulterous actions. She is frowned upon because she broke the laws that society created. In reality who is to say what is right or wrong, in a perfect world people would be doing the same actions, but there would not be laws holding you back. Therefore people would not be excluded from their communities, from stupid laws. I am going to base my essay of the quote when Dimmesdale is speaking about pearl and how she can do what ever she wants, "save the freedom of a broken law." This means that she is free to do whatever she wants because she has already broken the law. I am going to connect the events in The Scarlet Letter to the community of Telluride. For example if you duck a rope in the ski area you are banished for two years. In a utopia community, people would be responsible for there own actions, and pay the consequence for their own actions. Another example would be for possession of drugs, if they get caught they get thrown in jail, when really people should make their own decisions instead of society making them up. Overall people should be smart for their own actions, and society should not be telling people what they can and cannot do.

Topical

I am going to write about theocracies. I may connect the nature of theocracies to their roots in hypocrisy and their general overall anti-feminism. Many religions that rule the nations they occupy generally have many rules that either do not apply to everyone (such as make exceptions for the rich) or have laws that severely discriminate against one certain group of people (women are generally targeted in modern day theocracies in such places as the Middle-East). I may compare a modern day theoretical nation, such as Iran, to that of the one in which Hester Prynne habituated and functioned in. I could also talk about why such countries seem to be so far "behind" western civilizations in human and empathetic terms. And also why the USA seems to lag behind nations around the world (especially Europe) in these same areas of human compassion.

Essay

I've been intrigued by the notions of hypocrisy and shame. How do the two ideas connect? Does hypocrisy lead to shame, does shame lead to hypocrisy? Is there even a connection to explore? I want to focus on Arthur Dimmesdale, on the hypocrisy of preaching against sin, but committing the darkest of sins himself, and how he feels such an intense level of shame at what he did that it leaves a mark on his chest, similar to Hester's scarlet "A." I can take my own experience to round the essay out a bit. Mine would be more like saying one thing and holding the opposite view, as opposed to Dimmesdale's, where he has to act and talk a certain way in the view of others, but acts a different way, at least once, when the public eye isn't on him. Any suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

In my Scarlet Letter essay i will compare and contrast the similarities in Puritan life with our current society and the world we live in today. One of the main themes in the book is the power of shame and how people react under pressure. Rules and regulations are a part of life that people must learn to except and abide by, or else are punished and/or subject to outcast. People, when being accused of breaking rules, more often than not, have no choice than to except the punishment. I think it is because they have no room to think for themselves while being so entangled and involved with this society that cracks down on them for a mistake they have made or a crime they commited. The fact is, people dont want to be singled out, people feel safe as a whole, it is easier to conform than be true to what you think, and as far as i can see, that has how it has always been with human kind. People in general, are scared to think for themselves and do what they want, because there are always boundries and unacceptance. Hester Prine knows that she has commited adultery, with the entire community against her, she bravely stands up and is quite frank about what she has done. Yet she has become an adultress, yet an outcast. She cannot live her life without people treating her differently. The fact is, weather people think its right or not, they know its not accepted and is considered a sin. The rest of the people wont give any simpathy. Even ol Dimmsdale wont even man up and admit hes the father of the child, with a fear of what the rest will think. When people live by a set of rules, especially those set around a form of worship to the 'almighty one' feel that its the only way to be, and eventually forget how to feel or act how they normally would. Take an example of homosexual child that is abondoned by his family solely for his sexuality. What would these parents think if noone ever told them it was wrong or 'unholy' to be interested in the same sex?? people are affraid to think forthemselves, in fear of being denied all the necessities a society offers, but in order to get these benifits. you are forced to conform.

Exceptionalism

For my paper I will explore the idea of exceptionalism, using the theocracy of Boston as a starting point and moving into history as I progress. The idea will be built on the portraits Hawthorne paints of several characters, that among them the Governor, Mistress Hibbins, and even Dimmsdale himself. Though a dramatic theme of the book throughout is the intensive "modesty" and "dark" nature of the Puritans, the Governor lives in a fine house complimented by a host of other "comforts." His sister, Mistress Hibbins, though being a well know witch, is left uncharged and uncontested by dint of her gubernatorial relation. And Dimmsdale, hero to the people, took a young, and believed to be widowed girl to his own at least once-a clear violation of his position, but one that he granted himself nonetheless. Using these contextual examples I will wind my way into exploring the hypocrisy of various "pious" groups, but most importantly the story of those who sustain them. Why did the serfs of Europe support their Lords for thousands of years. Why have citizens generally been so happy to commit their own resources to a clergy, monastery, or even government. Is this for the best? I think that the answer will not be black and white, and will generally follow the current of "a ruling body should only have the blessing of the people on whom they depend if it makes both their ends clear, makes their means clear, and stick religiously to those means."

Zero Draft

For my paper I'm going to write about outcasts using Pearl as my tie to The Scarlet Letter. What makes an outcast? Is it a personal choice or is it predetermined by the environment? How do outcasts behave, around each other, around others, and by themselves? I'm going to use my own personal experience and then a summary of Pearl to create a profile of an outcast. It's kind of rough around the edges right now and will definetly need some editing, but I think I'll be able to smooth it out. Any suggestions will be welcomed.

Hypocrit Prospectus

If I was to create a religion, thou shalt not lie would not be one of the commandments. Though shalt not lie means no softening of reality (you couldn’t tell your 4 year old that the dog ‘just went off to camp’), no sparing your grandmother a heart attack while recounting your whitewater rafting trip, no Santa Claus. Lying is not necessarily incorrect. And hypocrisy is not necessarily a bad thing either. In most cases, honesty is really the best policy. But is it wrong for the high-school dropout working at Wal-Mart to encourage his/her children to work hard in school? Or is it immoral for the sinful minister to preach righteousness to his people, in the hopes that his holy appearance may inspire goodness in them? Mr. Dimmesdale’s hypocrisy is not out of selfishness or cowardice. In fact, it is to Dimmesdale’s “unutterable torment” to “cover [his crime] in his heart”. So is a martyred hypocrite truly iniquitous?

"Two or three individuals hinted, that the man of skill, during his Indian captivity, ... their skill of black art."

I highlighted this section of my book because it intrigued me. It points out the fact that society is starting to wonder about Chillingworth. During the Puritan time period any form of witchcraft was much looked down upon. In the margin or my book this made me ask some questions. The questions were is Chillingworth the devil or possessed by him in any way? And does he use black art or is it just how he is, that makes people assume thats what he does. In addition to that inquiry, is black art always a bad thing? As of in Puritan society, it was not accepted at all but in those times they also trusted a man as a doctor who just said he had knowledge of medicine. Now we ignore people who participate in black magic more so and pay mush more attention to people's justifications for jobs. I guess the main reason I marked and found this interesting in the book is because of one, the differences in that society and society today and also just the fact that people thought of Chillingworth as almost a "savior" and now they are questioning their conclusions.

"But the first object of which Pearl...the scarlet letter on Hester's bosom!" pg 86

I found this quote to be intriguing because the worst critic that would possibly rest their eyes on the scarlet letter is Pearl. Hester being forced to live with the demon child, of whom has come to become drawn to the letter, poses no escape from the ridicule. The last place that Hester would want to have to hide her true self or be ridiculed was within her own home. The child being drawn to the letter signifies that evil dwells within the child. Because she is a result of a sin, she has no need to act upon a life of reform, or to follow the rules. Uhh.. my brain has shut off... 

generosity of a woman's heart

"I will not speak"..."Wonderous strength and generosity of a woman's heart!" state Hester Prynne and Mr. Dimmesdale, respectively, on page 63. I was thoroughly impressed by Hester's refusal to reveal the identity of her lover. Although she was mercilessly punished for her "sins," she declined to allow the father of her child and the object of affections to be subjected to the same chastisement as she. Wow, what a love that must be! She is so steadfast. That's very admireable. However, it makes me hate Dimmesdale a little. What a douche! He refuses to get down off his highhorse and accept the consequences for what he's done. That's pretty lame. He does appreciate what Hester has done for him, though. He gets it right when he says "Wondrous strength and generosity of a woman's heart! She will not speak!" he's not just talking about any woman, or women in general; he's talking about his woman. At least he appreciates the dedication she has to him. I just wish he would man up and get down on the pillory with Hester!

Crazy Old Man

"After a brief pause, the physician turned away... ecstasy from Satan's was the trait of wonder in it."(Pg. 121)

I chose this scene because it truly shows the insanity of Chillingworth. After such a long time of attempting to uncover Hester's secret he has finally succeeded. His physical appearance shows how his psyche has transformed his body through the pure evil from his want for revenge. We have seen the affect of this secret on his physical appearance, but this is the first time we have seen an outburst from Chillingworth. He has succumbed himself to this secret, and it has driven him to madness. Earlier in the book Pearl refers to Chillingworth as the "Black Man" (the devil), she seems to have an instinct for who is good and who is bad. Even this child can tell that Chillingworth is evil. Chillingworth has completely given himself to this secret. His entire meaning in life is to reveal who Hester's lover is, and this is the first time he has found actual evidence. His reaction to this proves how he has succumbed himself to this secret.

page 101-2. Beginning "'O, not so! -not so!' continued Mr. Dimmesdale... let us leave them as Providence hath seen fit to place them!'"

I find this quote to be extremely peculiar in that it is very different from the rest of the novel. While in the majority of the novel, Hester is shunned and condemned, in this passage Dimmesdale provides for a method in which Hester's soul can be saved. In addition he places the burden of raising the child to have a clean soul upon Hester, her form of repentance. He also seems to be telling Hester that she is fortunate to be able to save Pearl, and thus herself. Dimmesdale on the other hand is sentenced to Hell irregardless. Dimmesdlae claims that God has sent Pearl as a way of saving Hester, and that it would be cruel to separate Pearl and Hester. So I find that this quote is extremely odd. It shows a bit of kindness by someone to Hester (albeit her lover and the father of her child, so he probably has an ulterior motive to ensure his daughter is raised properly)

Overall, not a bad book. It is certainly more enjoyable than the majority of what the transcendentalists wrote.

Hester and her needlework

"It is probable that there was an idea of penance in this mode of occupation...Like all other joys, she rejected it as a sin." (75-76) In this passage it talks about the essence of Hester Prynne being her needlework. She, being a simplistic woman she allows pleasure through her handiwork but, at the same time rejects it as being a sin. Now why i wonder when you have such a great gift to give would you think of it as a sin? This makes no sense to me. I think that before she was seen as only an adulteress she very much enjoyed her craft and the pleasure she obtained while creating it. However after being subjected to what her passions could actually create she sees it as another way for her to be known as a sinner.

The Letter comes to life

In the paragraph at the bottom of page 90, "It was the scarlet letter in another form; the scarlet letter endowed with life!" I like the idea that the scarlet letter shows it's presence whether or not Hester hides it. Pearl is the reincarnation of the scarlet letter in the form of a human. Adultery in the form of life. I don't think Pearl is neccessarily bad but she represents a broken law, which could represent the free spirit. This notion goes back to a different passage on pg 117 where Dimmsdale talks about how a broken law grants you the freedom to do anything. I think Hester is purposely surrounding herself with the scarlet letter in every form she can because she rightfully feels she should be punished. I for one don't see why she feels so guilty, in our day in age, people cheat on eachother all the time.

Mirrors and Masks

I chose the passage on page 94 that starts with "Hester looked..." and ending with "...hidden behind it."

This was passage that I was really hoping to discuss in class because the symbolism is so interesting. In it, Hester looks at a suit of armor in Governor Bellingham's home and is caught off-guard by the distored image that appears in the covex mirror that is the breastplate. The scarlet letter which is the symbol of her sin (as much as Pearl is) has been blown so out of proportion as to make it so it now dominates the image of her, almost as if she is "behind it."

This distortion is a representation of what has become Boston's view of Hester. They see her first as the scarlet letter, as an adulteress, rather than as a person. All of the views have been skewed so that the letter no longer lies as a punishment, but is the person!

Another interesting thing to note is that it is Pearl, who continually seems to show an uncanny sense of the truth of things, that points out the suit of armor. When Hester is taken aback by the distortion, Pearl acknowledges that a similar image is seen in the helmet of the suit. This repetition of the image acknowledges how that the letter is really all anyone sees of Hester and discredits Hester's own justification (though it really is why the image is the way it is) that the "convex mirror," the breastplate, is what is causing the image.

Pearl's ability to sense the truth always seems to be an advantage to her mother in some way, shape, or form. When the governor, ministers, and Reverend Dimmesdale walk in, this same sense that pointed out the "mask" of adultery that Hester wears makes it so she shys away from Mr. Wilson (one of Hester's persecuters) but is comforted by Dimmesdale (Hester's lover). There are MANY more instances that we've discussed, but it would get a little repetitive to list them. I just find this particular instance of Pearl pointing out to Hester that nobody actually looks at Hester any more, only the letter, particularly interesting.

Burrs on a Letter

The passage on page 117 begins with "she now skipped irrelevantly from one grave to another" and ends with "Hester did not pluck them off."

This passage to me resembles so much. First it shows the developing and sacred relationship not only between mother and daughter but between daughter and sin. Hester and Pearl have a unique relationship, not only forming from sin but simply as mother and daughter. The two are almost best friends, seeing as the other one is the only one the other has. Hester depends on Pearl as a savior (though she may not know it totally) and Pearl not only depends on Hester as a mother, but also a guardian from the sin that she is. (that doesn't really make sense). Hester, though curious about her daughter excepts her strange aptitudes of understanding almost everything. Pearl seems to respect her mother for this, simply going on as what she knows as being an "ordinary" child. In everyone's eyes (especially Hester's) Pearl is a strange child, dressed in scarlet, a replica of the letter, a production of sin.
Secondly, the passage addresses all that relate to Hester: her daughter and her letter (that are both her sin). As Pearl skips merrily around the graveyard (ironic, happy in such a dark place) Hester can only demand she stop. Although, before her complete termination of joy, Pearl plucks burrs from a thistle and places them delicately along the edges of the scarlet letter. This image represents the comfort Pearl has with the letter, maybe knowing that it is indeed a part of her. As her mother would adorn a pair of gloves (or the letter itself) Pearl takes on in decorating the sin in thorns that sear into Hester's bosom.

The freedom of a broken law.

On page 117, in the passage that begins with "There is no law, nor reverence for authority," and ending with "None-save the freedom of a broken law." A true revelation occurs. This final line, spoken by Dimmsdale is possibly the most important thus far uttered. It refers to the sin of Hester (and of Dimmsdale himself), in such a light as has not been exposed until this point in the novel. The idea that a broken law could be a form of liberation as opposed to enslavement is one that is quite novel in what seems (at least on the surface) to be an extremely morally righteous and strict society. It is, however, hardly that simple. There can be little doubt that Pearl feels very unconstrained, and this results in her various labels; "elf", "demon seed", etc. Yet the sin surrounds more than just her ironically innocent world. It also swirls between Hester, Dimmsdale, and Roger Chillingworth. Does the sin bring freedom to any of them? It could hardy be said so. Hester is ostracized, outcast, and humiliated. Dimmsdale is tormented by his own heart and mind. Chillingworth is mutated and demonized by his consuming quest for revenge. Sounds far from freedom to me. This idea raises another question; Why then does Pearl receive emancipation while the others do not? I believe that is can only be because she was a product of sin, and not the cause of it. She is destined to serve eternally as a reminder of the "terrors" of adultery, but to herself being born on the outside of a very intolerant society releases her from the pressure of being tolerated by it. Hester must still have intercourse in the city for her livelihood, Dimmsdale is an eminent pastor, and Chillingworth must interact with Boston both for his living and for his quest of revenge. Little Pearl has no such constraints, and thus no such torments. It is for this reason that her state can be described as freedom. It truly is "The freedom of a broken law."

pg 107 "i need no medicine" said he (Chillingsworth) - But how could the young minister say so, when , with every succesive sabbath, his cheek was paler and thinner, and his voice more tremulous than before.
This passage, to me, expresses one of the main happenings in the novel so far and explains a lot about the psychological state of the main characters. Chillingsworth is infested with hate and seeks revenge, he refuses treatment and each day is growing more haggard. He is beating himself up from the inside out, for his hipocracy, and the big knock-down to his ego, he is hurt and regretful. On the other hand, Dimmsdale is in almost the exact situation, rotting inside with guilt. The both of them are keeping secrets and the trapped feelings go haywire without being released and it starts to take its tole not only mentally, but phisically. Chillingsworth refuses medicine because he too feels as he has commited a sin, therefore only making things worst. Both of them are unstable, and the hostility of the puritan environment makes it next to impossible to come through and speak the truth. Its something that could be made a little easier if people werent so judgemental and they could work it out, but in puritan times that is unheard of. they must make a huge deal of it all and involve the whole community and interegate the sinner. Luckily, Hester is such a strong woman and thinks a little outside the bun, while her lovers are crouching up in a ball and weeping like little bitches. If they could just come through and be honest none of this would happen. They cant make decisions on their own they find god as an excuse for acting like cowards.
"youthful men, not having taken a deep root, give up their hold of life so easily!"

The $carlet Letter

P. 115 All the powers of nature call so earnestly for the confession of sin, that these black weeds have sprung up out of a buried heart, to make manifest an unspoken crime. This quote is talking about dimmsdale and how he should confess for his sin. It is saying that if he doesn’t confess him self then the truth will come out in the end weather he likes it of not. The weeds that have sprung up are dimmsdale guilt coming out in his everyday life. I enjoy this book but it moves a little too slow for me. The Ideas the book presents are interesting but there is not enough there to keep me engaged. I like hawthorns writing style but I don’t enjoy the topics in witch it is used on. I DON’T LIKE THIS BOOK!

once broken no restraint exists

the passage "There is no law, no authority..." and ending "None,-save the freedom of a broken law." (pg. 117) is interesting as to how it gives a reason for Pearl's antics but how this freedom only applies to Pearl. From Pearl's stand point the fact that she is born from sin renders the toleration of puritan society negligible. once a law is broken all other laws are useless and ineffectual, however Cillingsworth, Hester, and Dimmsdale are held in bondage by their sin through the virtue of their age, wisdom, and character. In contrast Pearl not knowing any authority not even her own mother's is free to ignore all authority which she does very readily. In this case ignorace is bliss if Pearl had known and been raised in accordace with the strict laws of puritan society she would most likely not behave in such a manner as she does.

The quote that sticks out most to me, begins at the top of pg. 53 with "Had there been a papist among the crowd..." and ending with, "whose infant was to redeem the world." This sticks out to me not only because its almost the complete opposite, but also because at a more symbolic level its true. Here Hawthorne is stating that Hester and her child looks like Mary and Jesus, a beautiful woman with a fatherless child, which on the symbolic level is true. Here Hester is supposed to be one of the most beautiful women in Boston, and when you think about it, not naming her lover does leave the child fatherless. This quote is also opposite the idea of the Madonna in the sense that, this child was conceived in sin. It wasn't a divine creation to save the world, just a child conceived in a sinful passion, which later condemned Hester.

"wonder, Joy, Horror"

“After a brief pause, the physician turned away. But with what a wild look of wonder, joy, and horror! With what a ghastly rapture, as it were, too mighty to be expressed only by the eye and features, and therefore bursting forth through the whole ugliness of his figure…” I find this quote very interesting because of chillingworths reacting to the letter that has been some how imprinted on doomsdayls’ chest. To begin with, the most interesting part is the “wonder, joy, and horror..” that Chillingsworth got out of the letter on his chest. I found it Ironic that he got joy out of seeing this nasty boil on his chest. I can see how he is happy that he finally found the person he was looking for, but how could it be joyful to see such a disgusting thing. It must have been extremely hard for Chillingsworth to have all these emotions hit him at the same time. The emotions of joy and horror do not usually come hand in hand. It would have been much more reasonable for him to just feel a sensation of horror. This was one of the passages that I could become more engaged in, but the rest of the book has been extremely hard for me to admire. I find my self not critical reading at some times which will really put a dent on my understanding of the novel.

Selfish or Selfless?

I chose the passage on page 116 starting with "'True; there are such men,' answered Mr. Dimmesdale..." and ending with "spotted with iniquity of which they cannot rid themselves." I was particularly intrigued by this passage because it forced me to question why exactly Mr. Dimmesdale chooses to keep his sin a secret. Also i began to wonder what I would do in his situation, would i get rid of the guilt and reveal my secret, or keep it buried within me? This particular passage shows that Mr. Dimmesdale does not share his secret love affair with the public, not only to avoid ridicule and shame but to benefit the community. He says that if he was revealed as a sinner "no good [could] be achieved by [him]" thereafter. Is he enduring the pain of both sin and guilt only to protect the faith of the public? I think it would be much harder to cope with constant guilt and shame alone. Wouldn't his load be lightened if he could be with Hester and Pearl instead of Roger? I think Mr. Dimmesdale's secrecy is rather genuine and selfless, rather than an mere attempt to protect his reputation for selfish reasons. Also, being one of the most influential figures in Boston he holds a great responsibility in keeping the community faithful and unquestioning. On the other hand, if he were to reveal his love affair with Hester could he employ his persuasive manner to show that their deed really wasn't harmful? This revelation would change the dynamic of Boston's Puritan society if the people were willing to stay true to their beloved minister. I think Mr. Dimmesdale should realize his power and use it to relieve both Hester and himself from the daily burden of sin and guilt. And, even if Mr. Dimmesdale's explanation of his sin and secrecy were rejected by the public, Hester, Pearl, and he could easily flee and live a life of happiness somewhere else, maybe England. I understand his reasoning and desire not to disturb society's religious beliefs, but maybe later on he will utilize his elevated status in Boston to alter present criticism of Hester and her sin.

Pearl in an Imp

Near the end of page 117, Chillingworth speaking about Pearl says "What, in Heaven's name, is she? Is the imp altogether evil? Hath she affections? Hath she any discoverable principle of being?"" None,-save the freedom of a broken law, answered Dimmesdale, in a quiet way..."

In this passage they speak about Pearl in a way that she is not even a human being and instead she is an imp of evil. An imp is a little demon, or devil, Chillingworth speaks about pearl as if she has no characteristics like a human. I enjoy this quote because it is some what comical when Dimmesdal speaks about pearl like she isn't even his daughter. When Dimmesdal says in a quit voice " save the freedom of a broken law." I interpret this in a sense that Pearl is already accused as a demon child that she is free to break other laws. Once Someone has broken one law why not keep on causing mischief. I think that this is foreshadowing something that Pearl is going to do as the book progresses. Dimmesdale speaks in a soft tone as if he is affraid that pearl could be listining inside the house. The mood of this passage is intense like the devil is going to come and haunt them after talking bad about Pearl. Overall Pearl has a weird essence about her that brings fear towards everyone else.

The passage that I'm using goes from page 114 to 116 that starts, "I found them growing on a grave..." and ends, "He had a ready faculty, indeed, of escaping from any topic that agitated his too sensitive and nervous temperament." I enjoy this scene because Chillingworth is just backing Dimmesdale into a phsycological corner. Not to mention the irony that Dimmesdale exudes. Earlier in the book, when he's telling Hester to tell everyone who her lover is, he says that it would be better for her fellow sinner to stand beside her than to keep his sin hidden in his heart for the rest of his life. Now in this passage, he says that a heart guilty of sin, should hold on to it's secrets until the person's last day, or judgement day before God. This conversation also causes Dimmesdale physical pain; such as when Chillingworth asks why sinners don't just tell others sooner, instead of waiting for the judgement day. Dimmesdale says that many do confess their sins while they are "strong in life, and fair in reputation" and while he is talking, he clutches his heart as if it was laced with pain. At the end of the passage, it says that he had ways to dodge a topic that he wasn't comfortable with, and he did that in the very next line by asking after his health. From the wording that Dimmesdale buries himself with, it's pretty obvious that the minister himself is the secret lover of Hester Prynne. That's another thing that I love about this passage; it's so incredibly revealing on the subject of who Hester's lover is.

The Scarlet Letter - Pearl the Fey Child?

The passage on pg. 83 beggining, "...to persue the little elf..." and ending, "...made her mother more doubtful than before." Also the passage on pg. 84 beginning, "Pearl was born outcast of the infantile world. An imp of evil..." and ending, "she had no right among christened infants."
I like these two quotes because Hawthorn is using fey to describe Pearl, but he's using the two different kinds of fey. He sometimes refers to her as an "elf" or "sprite": Sprites are a small species of fey usually talked about when one speaks of playful mischief in the garden. They are fleeting fey, very hard to catch, and not particularly bright. Elves are considered the wiser of the fey species, the larger and not as mischievious, but more melevolant in nature. Pearl seems to be both of these things: her playful spirit and yet not being amenable to rules, her dancing and laughing and yet her "trait of passion" are all those associated with these fey. But then he switches and uses the term "imp". Imps are devil fey not commonly associated with elves and Sprites (I could go into the long difference between the two, but that would digress from the point). The Impish side of Pearl is brought out constantly because she is a product of sin - a "devil child", if you will. I think its really interesting that, even though he uses these two very different species of fey to describe Pearl, he conveys the message to the reader that she is not of this earth. She is, in some ways, unattainable and surreal. Pearl's personality - her "freedom from broken law" which makes her the most like the Fey - is ironic because Dimmesdale, who is also technically "free" because he broke the law, is not free at all due to his ties to the church. He is the only one of the "sin triangle" that is not free, because now Hester is free to disregard her previous way of life if she wishes, although she chooses not to. I think, though, Hester will find it is easier to live as her "elfin child" does rather than living racked with guilt. It's time to move on.

I used the passage on page 114 beginning "Even the grave-yard, here at hand..." ending in, "avail themselves of this unutterable solace?"

I chose this passage because this is where it becomes obvious that Chillingsworth has been suspecting Master Dimmsdale. He is somewhat teasing Dimmsdale and trying to get a confession out of him. Chillingsworth compares the "ugly weeds" to Dimmsdale. He is so angry and so determined to get revenge that he needs Dimmsdale to confess to him that he is Hester's lover, as well as the father of the baby. When Chillingsworth says, "they grew out of his heart," he is referring to the guilt that Dimmsdale is feeling. Chillingsworth is happy with the fact the Dimmsdale is feeling so guilty because it is torturing him. The guilt is physically hurting him, which is a positive for Chillingsworth. He does not want to kill the Reverend, he just wants him to go through the same amount of pain that Chillingsworth has been feeling. The "hideous secret" he talks about is obviously Dimmsdale's secret of being Hester's lover. Dimmsdale's reaction to Chillingsworth's comments on the man under the weeds is to immediately defend him, for Dimmsdale knows what he is going through. He says "Perchance he earnestly desired [to tell the truth], but could not." Chillingsworth continues to try to convince Dimmsdale to confess to him that he is the father. However, he feels that he can only confess to god.

Rotten by Guilt

The passage from page 114-116 beginning with "Even in the graveyard..." and ending with "...care of this weak frame of mine."
As Chillingsworth discusses what must be the reason for such weird and floppy weird to grow on an unmarked grave. He reasons it must be because he has some dark secret he with closed until his death. He is trying to get Dimmesdale to reveal his position as Pearl's father, by showing him an example of what happens when a secret is kept until the grave. Dimmesdale argues that while it must have rotten him inside out, the keeping of the secret must have been necessary, much as he views his own. He thinks that by revealing his secret, his own life will fall to shambles, and all the extra ridicule and questioning Hester has been through would have been for nothing. Hester's love for Dimmesdale has kept her form telling his identity. She does not want him to sacrifice his reputation and career despite his public pleading to reveal the name of her lover. Their love for one another has created this constant battle they must go through. Hester could leave, she could go back to Europe and rip the scarlet A right off her chest, but her love for Dimmesdale keeps her in Boston. Dimmesdale would love to stand beside Hester, share the blame for their act, but the love he has for her forces him to obey her wishes, to continue to serve the community as a priest. Chillingsworth motives to reveal Dimmesdale as the lover grow more and more inspired as he believes he has found the truth, and begins to try and lure the truth from the lips of its holders.

Talking in circles...

On page 107 Dimmesdale says, "I need no medicine." This was interesting to me because it seems as thought he's trying to be tough or even trying to let Chillingworth know of his sins but he is just being a little stubborn about it. The minister is obviously sick but he says he needs no medicine which mean he must need something else to feel better, what might that be? I think it should be to go raise the child and forget what the rest of society thinks of him no matter what his status is in that community. And with a person like Chillingworth, a person who can see deep into a person's soul and know what the person is hiding, I don't think Dimmesdale is doing a very good job at hiding his deep dark secret. However, it may be that Dimmesdale whats to be discovered because he needs that extra push to do what is right, even though he feels that he needs no medicine in other words he needs no help from others.
This book is interesting and I am honestly enjoying it, I'm excited to find out what happens next!

America or not?

Page 105, "Skillful men, of the medical and chirurgical profession, were of rare occurrence in the colony. They seldom, it would appear, partook of the religious zeal that brought other emigrants across the Atlantic."
This quote makes me question Roger's original intentions when sending Hester across to America. Why would an intelligent, prosperous, newly married man want to take a dangerous trip away from home? From safety and security?
The only answers that I can muster up are: he wanted Hester away from her family in case their marriage didn't work out, or his personality led him on an adventure. I wonder if Roger wanted to start anew in America, just him and Hester with their new life together. But when things went wry, the only thing keeping him on the new continent was revenge. Revenge even when he didn't truly love Hester and when he "wronged" her first. Why didn't the couple with Pearl leave Boston, and they could be happy together elsewhere? Hester could rip off her A and they could pretend Pearl was his daughter. But neither spouse wanted to leave, they both had motives to stay, ironically opposite but for the same person. Hester loved Dimmsdale while Roger wanted him to suffer painfully.

Simpatico

"Trusting no man as his friend, he could not recognize his enemy when the latter actually appeared." (Describing Dimmesdale's and Chillingworth's relationship)

Looking back, this quote helps personify both Chillingworth and Dimmesdale in their true characters. This sentence hints at the true identity of Dimmesdale because Chillingworth is only the enemy to the lecher, on whom he seeks revenge. Therefore, if Chillingworth is the enemy of Dimmesdale, then we understand that Chillingworth is truly the lover of Hester Prynne. Additionally, this sentence illustrates Roger's evil intentions by characterizing him as the enemy of a minister, and by that possibly characterizing him as an agent of the devil.

However, this quote does more than foreshadow a couple of pages ahead. From this sentence we see Hawthorne's criticisms of Puritan ministers, and perhaps human nature. Hawthorne emphasizes the minister's haughtiness by making that his weakness. Dimmesdale is too proud and special to allow anyone with intimate contact with him. This proudness becomes Dimmesdale's downfall as he fails to recognize Chillingworth and his attempts to weed out the secret Dimmesdale so greatly protects.

This quote can be taken all the way back to the fundamental question of: if there is no evil, can there be good? If there is no light, can there be dark? It is a deep question. It is also evident from this quote that Hawthorne believes there must be a contrasting force in order for one to be evident. There can be no enemy without a friend.

Ironic Pain

"Never!" replied Hester Prynne, looking, not at Mr. Wilson, but into the deep and troubled eyes of the younger clergyman. "It is too deeply branded. Ye cannot take it off. And would that I might endure his agony, as well as mine!"
When I first read this passage, it seemed to have a deeper resonance than any of the other lines from this scene. The young minister is troubled, instead of being angry or looking persistent. I had a feeling her lover was one of the ministers from the beginning. But now that we know that Dimmesdale is in fact her lover, this passage is even more significant and ironic than before. We can now tell that self inflicted pain Dimmesdale is feeling is really getting to him. Yet somehow his feelings are not (maybe not yet) strong enough to compel him to take his place next to his lover up on the scaffolding. I think that these feelings of remorse, guilt, and the sense of irony are the pillars on which this novel stand. These feeling compel each character to do as they do: such as when Dimmesdale clutches his chest in pain. He is feeling extreme guilt and remorse for what he has done to Hester. These feelings come out of the irony of his situation; he is a minister and leader of the community, and he was Hester's lover. But he cannot not admit his affair due to his position of power. How ironic.

"The power of mind"

The quote I chose is on page 112 beginning "At first, his expression had been calm...." and ending "...the oftener they looked upon him."

It's a very short passage that describes how Roger Chillingworth's aspect has changed.

He's looking for Hester's lover, he wants to find him. He's determined and wants to take revenge. He suspects of Mr. Dimmensdale all along, and that's why he manages to become is physician and be as close to him as possible. They become friends and move in together.

I think it's really interesting how such strong feelings like rage and determination can influence a person's behavior, a person's actions and even a person's look. "The power of mind", "the mind controls the body"...I think it's absolutely true.

We're completely overwhelmed by our mind, all the time, non-stop.