post 9: Chapters 20-22

9/5/2015

Why does Dimmesdale finally announce his guilt? How does he do so – what type of language does he use, who does he address, and why? Discuss themes, symbols, and rhetorical devices in these chapters.

Jasmine M.

9/14/2015 11:25:10 pm

Dimmesdale finally announces his guilt because he felt as though he was dying and that he needed to acknowledge his shame. He does so abruptly and with passion, and he tears off the ministerial band on his breast to reveal the scarlet letter 'A' on his chest. He addresses the crowd because he wants to bring peace with God and feels as though confessing is better than fleeing. In doing this, Chillingworth loses his victory because Dimmesdale has forgiven him in his death and also Chillingworth no longer can torment Dimmesdale since he's dead. The theme towards recognizing your weaknesses and growing stronger from doing so is implied in this action. Dimmesdale, although he dies, has recognized his weakness clearly by telling the entire world about it and therefore has died, not because he was consumed by guilt, but because the guilt in which he held in for so long made him so weak, that his body failed him. This also shows the theme about how guilt consumes an individual. Pearl, whose nature was wild and violent with passion, is removed from her anger towards the never ending question as to who was her father. The author uses symbolism to show this, using the tears that she sheds after Dimmesdale kisses her, a symbol of release. She is finally given a life of happiness and love.

Valentina B

9/15/2015 08:02:50 pm

Dimmesdale finally announce his guilt because it's something the public has to know. He does so by showing the mark of shame.The themes, symbols, and rhetorical devices in these chapters continues with guilt and how its relieved

Jasmine M

9/17/2015 10:37:34 pm

I agree with what your saying. Furthermore, Dimmesdale announces it to the public because he knows at any moment he was going to die and he wanted redemption from the sin that he committed.

Tariq T

9/15/2015 11:48:11 pm

Dimmesdale admits his love and his relationship with Hester due to guilt and the feeling that he was going to die. Dimmesdale confesses his love to the entire town and congregation. Dimmesdale rips off his ministerial band to reveal and branded "A" on his chest. Dimmesdale does this to erase all sin and guilt in the eyes of god. Doing so he address the crowd on why and how he has lived with this guilt.
Theme: guilt, death, redemption
Symbols: Scarlett letter

Franklin A

9/17/2015 05:20:14 pm

Dimmesdale finally announces his guilt because he was too much for to handle. I these chapters it states that he felt like he was dying from holding it in. He does by announcing it to everyone. He goes out in public and tells the town. Holding in the guilt was just too much for him to bear. He tells the town that rather him keep on this sin he wants tranquility with the people but most importantly with God. In these chapters Dimmesdale shows a bit of boldness by confessing this. Guilt was eating him alive and basically the main reason why he died. The themes are guilt, and being free from sin.

Tariq T

9/17/2015 05:31:01 pm

I agree, Dimmesdale comes clean due to guilt to finally find peace in his soul and find peace with God.

Krystal C.

9/17/2015 09:27:27 pm

I completely agree. He announces his guilt because he wants to make peace and it was too much for him to handle. He couldn't keep it to himself anymore.

Kelvin A.

9/18/2015 11:03:35 pm

I agree with this comment the guilt was breaking him down & I also think that Dimmesdale was bold.

Deandre T.

9/17/2015 08:24:21 pm

The reason for Dimmesdale coming clean is because holding it in was killing him. In this sudden revelation Dimmesdale sees now that he must come clean. He speaks out in public and confesses his crime. He does so with tears and in a passionate and meaningful manner. He then addresses the people to atone for his sin. This chapter's theme is atonement, redemption, and guilt.

Bryan L.

9/17/2015 11:54:03 pm

Dimmesdale announce his guilt because he could not keep it a secret anymore. In the novel the narrator said as if the guilt was killing. He reveals everything to the crowd and even rips off his band to show the "A" branded on his chest. Theme: guilt

Alayjah R

9/18/2015 07:40:26 pm

I agree with you Dimmesdale ripping of his hurt showing the A shows how passionate his was about his crime and shows how guilt he felt.

Alayjah R.

9/18/2015 07:38:52 pm

Dimmesdale finnaly announces his guilt because he feels as if his close to death.He does this with emotion he opens his shirt and shoes the crows the "A" on his chest , he tells the crowd of his crimes and how sorry he feels for committing them in tears and with passion. He is addressing god because he wants to show that he his is truly sorry for his actions. In the end he ends up dying feeling better that a least he let his crime beknown instead of dying in guilt. The theme is to show your gulit no matter how shameful it is. The symbol is the A on dimmesdale chest.

Keiana .W

9/18/2015 08:09:10 pm

I agree with you on how Dimmesdale's finally announces his guilt. I also agree about your theme. It was about coming clean

Triston Y.

9/18/2015 11:48:01 pm

Yes She's correct but would you say the sin killed him or was it having to see Hester and his daughter ?

Keiana .W

9/18/2015 08:02:47 pm

Dimmesdale finally announces his guilt because it was killing him inside to were he needed to come clean. He announces it in front of the crowd. He addressing God in front of crowd because he wants to be at peace. The theme of this chapter is about guilt, and coming clean. The symbol is the 'A'

Robert C.

9/19/2015 12:23:08 am

I agree with you Dimmesdale finally faces his guilt and wants to be free from the the symbol 'A'

Joshua W

9/18/2015 09:59:49 pm

Dimmesdale announces his guilt becuase he can no longer live with it. He realizes peace is the only answer for him and the only way to get that is to confess his guilt. He does so by showing his mark of shame the scarlet letter 'A' branded on his chest , he chooses to adress the crowd hoping to wash his sins and make peace with god. The theme is gulit and redemption.

Kelvin A.

9/18/2015 11:01:50 pm

Dimmesdale confesses to the public because the guilt is killing him both figuratively and physically. He tells the whole community of his mistakes and shows them the Scarlett Letter he has branded on his chest as a symbol of his mistake. He comes clean so he can be right in the eyes of God and those of his community even though he dies due to the guilt deteriating his body. The theme here is that coming clean can be a self cleansing process some people may need .

Triston Y.

9/18/2015 11:46:48 pm

The guilt has been eating his concise up.He finally fesses up to the community and tells them the truth and the scarlet letter should be removed off Hester. Rhetorical device is guilt

Caitlyn D.

9/18/2015 11:48:18 pm

It was stated previously that Dimmesdale was suffering internally while keeping the secret and i t began to manifest in his physical health state. He finally decides to confess because he feels as though he is dying and can't old it any longer. He confesses it quickly as if he wanted to get it over with as fast as possible, and in a dramatic motion tears off the ministerial band to reveal the scarlet letter 'A' on his chest. He then tells the townspeople that he wants to bring peace with God and could only do this by confessing his sin. The themes presented in these chapters are relief and honesty.

Robert C

9/19/2015 12:17:41 am

The guilt was killing Dimmesdale physically and mentally.It seems Dimmesdale sought peace and he later found it when he tells the whole Puritan community.The theme here is freedom for from guilt.

Comments are closed.

Scarlet letter blog

post 9: Chapters 20-22

Archives

Categories